Global rice prices soared to their highest level in over 15 years following India's decision last year to ban the export of white rice and impose a 20% duty on parboiled rice exports.
Rice stocks at the Food Corporation of India on 1 September stood at 32.3 million metric tons, 38.6% higher than last year, encouraging the government to consider export relaxation.
India has been asked basic questions such as why it hasn’t yet notified WTO of the decisions, why adequate notice wasn’t given, how long restrictions will be in place & why they were needed.
State-run Malaysian rice importer Bernas will also be negotiating with other suppliers like Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, Mohamad Sabu told parliament.
Indian Council of Applied Economic Research study says bans on export of wheat & rice were ‘knee-jerk’ reactions. Govt should adjust its trade policy, not sell at prices lower than MSP.
According to an official, Thailand—world's second-largest rice exporter after India—is expected to export over 8 million metric tons of rice this year, up from 7.71 million last year.
The ban will cut availability of rice on world markets by about a fifth, and could lead to importers seeking more govt-to-govt deals to overcome shortages and tame spiraling prices.
Canada faces serious foreign interference issues, but these challenges must not be weaponized to unfairly target friendly and important allies like India.
In Episode 1544 of CutTheClutter, Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta looks at some top economists pointing to the pitfalls of ‘currency nationalism’ with data from 1991 to 2004.
Among 19 Indian firms sanctioned by US Treasury Dept was Lokesh Machines Ltd accused of coordinating with 'Russian defence procurement agent to import Italy-origin CNC machines'.
While we talk much about our military, we don’t put our national wallet where our mouth is. Nobody is saying we should double our defence spending, but current declining trend must be reversed.
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