Green Trade, a state-owned, milled-rice exporter, had not been updated on a government-to-government rice deal with the Philippines despite recent media reports that claimed a deal was near.

Although a proposal for exports to the Southeast Asian neighbour had been made, Thon Virak, director of Green Trade, said yesterday: “So far, there is no progress on the deal. We got the proposal from them a long time ago, but it’s been very quiet. I don’t know for sure when we can reach the agreement.”

He added that the Philippines expressed interest in importing about 200,000 tonnes of milled rice last year.

Indonesian media reports claimed the two countries were close to signing a deal for 120,000 tonnes of milled rice.

In mid-March, rice exporter Mega Green Imex Cambodia reported it had received 50,000 tonnes in orders from the Philippines.

To contact the reporter on this story: May Kunmakara at [email protected]