Bulog Ready To Import 1 Million Tons Of Rice From China If Assigned

JAKARTA - The General Company of the Ligistics Affairs Agency (Perum Bulog) is ready to bring in 1 million tons of rice from China, if it is again assigned by the government.

Bulog President Director, Budi Waseso, revealed that there had indeed been initial talks between President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding the supply of rice to Indonesia.

Buwas, Budi Waseso's nickname, explained that imports of 1 million tons of rice could be carried out if absorption at the farmer level was inadequate.

"If it is needed, Bulog will be assigned. If the weather does not support and this agricultural prediction is not maximized, then the president will assign Bulog again to (import) 1 million tons," he told reporters, Monday, September 25.

Currently, continued Buwas, his company has not received an assignment from the government to bring back 1 million tons of rice from the country.

"But, according to records, we took 1 million tons from China because China is willing to prepare for it and has cooperated, yes, the President (Jokowi) and the President of China have entered into an agreement," he said.

"If later there is an assignment to me I will take another 1 million from China, because China has prepared 1 million," he continued.

Previously reported, 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 domestic community.

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

"This is to ensure that we have strategic stock reserves to prevent an increase (price) because production must fall due to El Nino," Jokowi said while reviewing the Bulog Dramaga Warehouse, Bogor, West Java, quoted from Antara, Monday, September 11.

Although initial talks have been held, Jokowi revealed that until now the government has not decided on cooperation in importing rice with certain countries, because it still needs to negotiate prices.

"I spoke with the head of state/head of government and then the negotiations were followed up by Bulog. If there are (negotiations) among the leaders, it's okay, but the price is not connected, it doesn't meet. So the price issue remains important in negotiating whether the transaction is finished or not," said President Jokowi.