24 rice exporters have not exported rice for 18 months

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs (Ministry of Finance), 24 rice exporters with headquarters in 12 provinces and cities have not exported rice for 18 consecutive months.

Illustrative photo. Source: Internet.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has just sent documents to the People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities; Vietnam Food Association; and rice exporters to promote rice exports amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Documents signed by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh stated that as per statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, 24 rice exporters with headquarters in 12 provinces and cities have not exported rice for18 consecutive months, including: An Giang (5), Bac Lieu (2), Can Tho (2), Dong Thap (3), Hanoi (1), HauGiang (1), KienGiang (3), Soc Trang (1), Tay Ninh (1), Thai Binh (1), Tra Vinh (1), and Vinh Long (3).

According to the provisions of Point d, Clause 1, Article 8 of Decree 107/2018 / ND-CP of the Government on rice export business: "The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall consider and decide to revoke the Certificate in the following cases: d) The trader does not export rice for 18 consecutive months, except for the trader has notified the business suspension in accordance with the law.”

However, on the basis of exchanging with relevant localities and evaluating the performance of the rice exporters, to solve difficulties for business production, to support firms affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and promptly take advantage of the opportunity to import from the world market, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has decided not to include the affected period by the Covid-19 pandemic (equivalent to about six months) into the 18-month time limit as per the regulation.

In the near future, the Ministry of Industry and Trade suggests that the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities continue to strengthen the monitoring of activities of rice exporters in the areas and promptly report when there are fluctuations and propose solutions to remove difficulties and promote rice export in the areas.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes Vietnam Food Association to strengthen the monitoring of the market; continue to report and update prices of domestic and export paddy and rice; rice inventory of Association members and promptly propose necessary solutions in the management to boost exports, maintain and expand rice export markets.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also requested rice exporters to actively build raw material areas according to the State's policy to ensure building quality raw materials to meet consumer demand of the market; strictly comply with reporting regimes, responsibilities and obligations.