vietnam angola 19april02

VIET NAM TO BOOST RICE EXPORTS TO AFRICA AND CHINA

   Ha Noi, Apr. 18 (VNA) -- Viet Nam is to export between 50,000-100,000 tonnes of rice to Angola annually and will increase rice exports to China this year.
   In an effort to export more rice, Viet Nam has paid special attention to the African and Chinese markets.
   During a recent tour of African countries, a Vietnamese government delegation signed with Angola a memorandum of understanding on rice export.
   Viet Nam's rice exporters are hoping to sell more rice to China this year as the latter is planning to import about 2.6 million tonnes of rice, 10 times last year's amount.
   The Trade Ministry has also informed rice exporters nationwide about Taiwan's plan to import nearly 100,000 tonnes of rice. It is an opportunity for them to enter the Taiwanese market.
   In the first quarter of this year, Vietnamese businesses have signed contracts to export 1.3 million tonnes of rice with prices averaging about USD 177 per tonne or 7 percent higher than the same period last year.--VNA