Operators of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) will find it much easier to apply for rice export permits to export their product themselves, instead of through traditional rice exporters, now that the Foreign Trade Department (FTD) has reduced bureaucratic red tape to speed up the process.
FTD Director-General Arada Fuangthong said today that it would normally take three days for a rice exporter just to apply for registration to obtain an export permit. Now, however, the whole process will take about 30 minutes, after the department has revamped related regulations to promote the ability of SMEs to export rice themselves, adding that application process can now be completed electronically.
Moreover, Arada said the department has announced the allocation procedures for quotas for rice being exported to the European market.
Thailand exported 9.19 million tonnes of rice worth about 208 billion baht during the first 11 months of last year and is expected to have exported a total of 9.9 million tonnes for the whole of 2024.
Arada noted, however, that only about 7.5 million tonnes are expected to be exported this year, adding that the FTD will work closely with the private and public sectors to maintain traditional Thai rice markets and explore new markets through various channels, including the Thailand Rice Convention, an international forum at which rice importers and exporters will meet to negotiate deals.
