Asean countries to help each other with rice supplies

 

Mohamad Sabu said Asean agriculture ministers have agreed to cooperate in tackling food-related matters. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member countries have agreed to cooperate and help each other in tackling food-related issues, including the shortage of rice supply, said agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu.

He said the decision was conveyed at a meeting of Asean ministers of agriculture and forestry which ended today.

“Asean collaboration means if we face rice issues, Asean member countries will give priority to other member nations first. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand have also stated that they will consider any new requests for additional imports and so on.

“It’s the same in our relationships with China. Earlier, China’s customs authorities wanted to find ways to facilitate trade between Asean and China. Likewise Japan and South Korea,” he said after holding meetings with Cambodia and China in conjunction with the Asean meeting today.

The Asean ministers’ meeting was attended by Asean member countries as well as China, Japan and South Korea. - FMT