Dung said Vietnam Southern Food

Corporation (VINAFOOD II) and Vietnam Northern Food Corporation (VINAFOOD I) should do all that is needed to build up a position and trade name for Vietnamese rice in the international market while ensuring food security in the country, stablizing prices and improving farmers’ life.

The Primer Minister said the two corporations must upgrade old warehouses as well as build new ones to store rice.

VINAFOOD II General Director Truong Thanh Phong said: “Last year, the corporation sold more than 2.6 million tons of husked rice and exported more than 2.2 million tons, and will buy and sell 2.8 million tons of husked rice in 2009.”

At the meeting, the Government Standing Committee and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies spoke highly of the efforts of the two corporations and agreed to provide financial support for them to buy rice from farmers and build warehouses.

Vietnam plans to export between 3.4 and 3.5 million tons of husked rice in the first half of the year and a total of 5 million tons for the whole of 2009.

Source: VNA