Regarding 1 Million Tons Of Imported Rice From China, Bulog Boss: Not Sure To Come This Year

Imported rice (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso or Buwas revealed that 1 million tons of imported rice from China did not necessarily enter Indonesia this year. This is because the port capacity is not possible.

"Yes, we can't (enter this year), not because we can't afford it. But our port doesn't allow it to be dismantled that much because the rest still need energy and unloading capacity," he said at the Bulog Office, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 18.

Moreover, continued Buwas, Indonesia does not yet have a contract with China regarding this rice import. Even so, Buwas explained that China was willing to export.

"If yesterday it was only their availability, they were willing to prepare 1 million tons of rice for Indonesia. But there is no MoU between the president and the president," he said.

Currently, continued Buwas, the government prioritizes imports from several neighboring countries first. The countries in question are Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

"Now there are Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, there are Cambodia, there are others, yes, well we are trying Pakistan, we are also trying, although we don't get it much, but we are trying," he explained.

"Later, the gong will be if later on the target that we need, we really need, not made up, we need 1 million, we can't, we will immediately take it from China," he continued.

Even so, Buwas opened the option of imported rice from the Bamboo Curtain Country to enter the country next year.

"We'll see developments while walking. We can realize it next year. Now that's the entry," he said.