PHILIPPINES

The Philippines has asked the World Bank to persuade rice-exporting nations to lift shipment curbs that threaten the food security of importing countries.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap also confirmed that the Philippines is considering rolling back the government's direct role in subsidising expensive rice imports.

The government is already planning to introduce 'rice access cards' for the poor to buy the subsidised grain.

REUTERS

MALAYSIA

Malaysia's government is planning to subsidise locally grown rice to prevent consumers from being hit by record-high prices of the staple food, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad told reporters.

He also disclosed that the government plans to spend RM900 million (S$390million) on fertilisers and incentives for farmers to boost rice crop yields in order to increase output and meet local demand.

He did not give a timeframe.

The government currently does not subsidise local rice, but provides free fertiliser and other concessions to farmers to ensure the price remains under control.

BLOOMBERG, ASSOCIATED PRESS

THAILAND

Thai rice prices are likely to ease by about 20per cent in coming weeks as supplies from the new domestic crop have improved substantially, the secretary-general of the Thai Rice Exporters' Association said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thai Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan said his ministry would propose to the Cabinet today that the country dips into its stockpile of rice to help keep domestic prices down.

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE