Indonesia Explores Rice Imports from China, Cambodia, India and Bangladesh

President Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to inspect Bulog Warehouse, in Dramaga, Bogor, West Java, Monday 11 September. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is exploring rice import cooperation with a number of countries, such as Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, and China to secure the needs of the people in the country.

According to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), discussions regarding rice imports have been discussed with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Indian PM Narendra Modi, Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin, and Chinese PM Li Qiang.

"This is to ensure that we have strategic stock reserves to prevent (price) increases because production will definitely fall due to El Nino," said Jokowi when visiting the Dramaga Bulog Warehouse, Bogor, West Java, quoted from Antara, Monday, September 11.

Even though initial discussions have been held, Jokowi revealed that until now the government has not decided on rice import cooperation with certain countries, because they still need to negotiate about prices.

"I spoke with the head of state/head of government and then the negotiations were followed up by Bulog. If the goods are available (negotiation) between the leaders is okay, but the price is not consistent and cannot be met. "So the issue of price remains an important issue in negotiations about whether or not the transaction will take place," said President Jokowi.

It was previously reported that in a bilateral meeting with Cambodian PM Hun Manet on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, last week, Jokowi expressed Indonesia's desire to import around 250 thousand tons of rice per year from Cambodia.

The process of importing rice from Cambodia will support additional rice stocks from a number of countries which are estimated to total 400 thousand tons.

This amount, said Jokowi, would increase rice reserves in Bulog warehouses which currently amount to 1.6 million tonnes, which he said was already above normal conditions, namely 1.2 million tonnes.

However, to anticipate the impact of El Nino this year and to secure supplies until next year, President Jokowi believes that imports from a number of countries are still necessary.

"We already have a lot of stock, but we are still looking at where we can buy (rice)... not only for now but also to anticipate (needs) next year," said President Jokowi.