Cambodia to export rice to Brunei

Cambodia to export rice to Brunei Source: Borneo Bullentin, http://www.brunei-online.com

Cambodia reached an agreement on Tuesday with Brunei Darussalam to export 1,500 tonnes of prime-grade milled rice, an official confirmed Wednesday.According to the spokesman for the Council of Ministers, Phay Siphan, the deal was struck between Brunei Ambassador Pengiran Haji Ismail and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, but declined to provide details of the agreement, The Phnom Penh Post reported. "At this time, Brunei has not expressed its long-term intent to secure rice exports, but has agreed to purchase 1,500 tonnes of milled rice from a local producer," said Phay Siphan, who referred any additional questions on the deal to the Brunei Embassy. A member of the Brunei Embassy in Phnom Penh also declined Wednesday to provide details of the scope and duration of the agreement. But two local companies said they have received inquiries from Brunei officials about the purchase of rice, though no formal sale has yet been secured. Phou Puy, the Head of Cambodia's Rice Milling Association, said he was contacted by Brunei officials about yearly purchases of top-grade rice - which sells for about US$780 million per tonne. "This would be our first sale of rice to Brunei, and I think they are currently researching prices," he said.