BANGKOK, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Thailand and India are set to finalize ways to accelerate boosting rice output in preparation for the growing global food shortage, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan said on Monday.
Speaking after meeting with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, Mingkwan said he had discussed with the Indian minister the global food shortage, particularly that of rice.
Mingkwan said he and the Indian minister saw a need for rice exporting countries to cooperate to more quickly increase rice output in response to the increasing demand by countries around the world.
He was quoted by the state-run Thai News Agency as saying that India had suspended rice exports due to high domestic demand although it is the world's second largest rice growing and exporting country after Thailand. However, Thailand maintained its readiness to export rice because its rice supply is still sufficient for both local consumption and export.
He stressed Thailand would not suspend rice exports, particularly as the global food shortage seemed unabated at present because such an action would make the situation worse.
Speaking after meeting with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, Mingkwan said he had discussed with the Indian minister the global food shortage, particularly that of rice.
Mingkwan said he and the Indian minister saw a need for rice exporting countries to cooperate to more quickly increase rice output in response to the increasing demand by countries around the world.
He was quoted by the state-run Thai News Agency as saying that India had suspended rice exports due to high domestic demand although it is the world's second largest rice growing and exporting country after Thailand. However, Thailand maintained its readiness to export rice because its rice supply is still sufficient for both local consumption and export.
He stressed Thailand would not suspend rice exports, particularly as the global food shortage seemed unabated at present because such an action would make the situation worse.
