The independent Phnom Penh-based think tank Asian Vision Institute on Monday called on the five inland ASEAN countries to consider setting up a regional rice-producing association to maintain food security in the region amid Covid-19.
The appeal was made during a virtual panel discussion under the theme Cambodia Amidst Geopolitical Rivalry in the Mekong Region.
The five countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand (often called CLMVT) – are members of the political, economic and cultural Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) organisation.
Responding to a question by The Post, Cheunboran Chanborey, a programme director at AVI, said it is high time for the five ACMECS members to take action on the proposed association as some of the world’s largest milled-rice exporters.
He said: “Back into 2010, Prime Minister Hun Sen proposed ACMECS set up an association of rice-producing countries. Why don’t we try to make good on the idea during this critical Covid-19 juncture? We need a full supply of food and other consumables, and rice is key to food security.
Full article available: https://phnompenhpost.com/business/think-tank-pushes-acmecs-establish-rice-association
