KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The Indian government approved the export of 170,000 metric tonnes of non-Basmati white rice to Malaysia yesterday as a special friendly gesture between the two countries.
“The decision by the Government of India is reflective of the close ties between India and Malaysia and in line with India’s continued policy of supporting governments’ efforts in the friendly countries towards safeguarding domestic food security,” according to the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar conveyed the decision to allow the white rice special allocation to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir over a telephone call on the same day.
Zambry expressed his appreciation to the Government of India for extending support to the Malaysian people given the current supply situation.
The necessary notification for the export of the special quota of non-white Basmati rice for Malaysia was issued by the Indian Directorate General of Foreign Trade on October 18.
Since September, Malaysian consumers have witnessed a significant increase in imported white rice prices due to the global supply disruption caused by climate change and export restrictions imposed by major rice-exporting countries, including India.
The Malaysian government took proactive actions to ensure a sufficient rice supply and affordable prices.
At the end of September, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that discussions were held with representatives of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the country’s restriction on exports of white rice.
He was hopeful the G2G meeting would help address the supply issues.
— Bernama
