MANILA: The Philippines’ state grains agency said on Tuesday it has approved guidelines for the import of up to 805,200 tonnes of rice by private traders, with shipments required to arrive not later than Nov. 30.
Private rice traders will be allowed to bid for import permits, with tariff for the shipment pegged at 35 percent, at a date to be announced later, the National Food Authority (NFA) said in a memorandum, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.
Under the guidelines, private traders are allowed to import up to 293,100 tonnes each from Thailand and Vietnam, up to 50,000 tonnes each from China, India and Pakistan, 15,000 tonnes from El Salvador and the rest from any other countries.
The volume will be in addition to the rice imports by the NFA under deals with the governments of Vietnam and Thailand.
