Vietnam, facing a sugar shortage of 250,000 tonnes to 300,000 tonnes this due to bad weather, is mulling allowing imports of the commodity without a licence, an industry official said on Wednesday.
That would help meet demand and combat smuggling, El Van Tam, chairman of the Vietnam Sugar and Sugarcane Association, told Reuters. The shortage, accounting for nearly one third of 2006 domestic demand estimated at 1.3 million tonnes, had triggered smuggling of Thai sugar from Cambodia, officials said.
The Trade Ministry had sought government permission to abolish licences for sugar import so traders could make faster purchases abroad, he said. "It will be better for businesses, but imports will still depend on sugar prices," he said without elaboration.
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