Thailand and Cambodia have recently held a workshop on the creation of ASEAN rice market and trading cooperation mechanism. Both nations agreed to set up a trading zone at the Thai-Cambodian border.

According to Permanent Secretary for Commerce Yanyong Puangrach, the Thai-Cambodian meeting covered discussions on the establishment of a Thai-Cambodian trading zone. Thailand will also import Cambodian paddy to be milled for export, which will increase the rice value.

Yanyong said all the rice will be graded to prevent imported rice being mixed with the Thai rice. He added that the government will gradually release the rice stock lot by lot to avoid price drop.

In addition, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce stated both countries also discussed preparation to set up an ASEAN federation of rice traders comprising five member nations including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The issue will be forwarded to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, to be held during September and October./.