Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PARAMARIBO200
2008-05-12 21:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Paramaribo
Cable title:
SURINAME INTRODUCES RICE REGULATING MEASURES
how-toVZCZCXRO2313 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHPO #0200 1332133 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 122133Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0170 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1261
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000200
STATE FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT
EEB/TPP/ABT/ATP FOR JSPECK
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD ECON BTIO NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME INTRODUCES RICE REGULATING MEASURES
REF: A. PARAMARIBO 177
B. SECSTATE 39410
UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000200
STATE FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT
EEB/TPP/ABT/ATP FOR JSPECK
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD ECON BTIO NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME INTRODUCES RICE REGULATING MEASURES
REF: A. PARAMARIBO 177
B. SECSTATE 39410
1. (U) Summary. The Government of Suriname implemented a new export
license requirement on rice exports. Border inspections will
include a search for rice being smuggled out of the country. Local
rice producers and exporters have criticized these new measures,
stating local demand is only projected to be for 20,000 tons of the
55,000 tons available. End Summary.
2. (U) The Government of Suriname implemented several new measures
to protect the local rice supply. On April 29, the Ministry of
Trade and Industry instituted a license requirement for rice
exports. Once a fully liberalized sector, exporters must now obtain
licenses from the Ministry prior to exporting rice. Licenses will
only be granted after the local demand quota is met.
3. (U) The Government of Suriname will intensify inspections at the
official border crossings at Albina (with French Guiana) and Nieuw
Nickerie (with Guyana) in order to combat rice smuggling, Minister
Kermechend Raghoebarsing of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Husbandry and Fisheries announced the week of May 5. Inspectors at
the unofficial "backtrack" border crossing at Nieuw Nickerie will
also be on the lookout for rice. The Minister suggested there could
also be inspections of schooners departing Paramaribo to ensure they
did not take rice in excess of their crews' needs.
4. (U) Rice farmers and exporters criticized the new export license
system, since there is no rice shortage in Suriname. In early
April, farmers and exporters had announced that Suriname has
approximately 55,000 tons of rice available until the September
harvest, and local demand was not expected to exceed 20,000 tons.
5. (U) Minister Raghoebarsing held talks with rice millers and
exporters and explained the government wanted to monitor the export
streams of rice. The Minister stated that export monitoring and
inspections to prevent rice smuggling are a short-term response to
guarantee local supply in light of rice shortages elsewhere.
GENTON
STATE FOR WHA/CAR JROSHOLT
EEB/TPP/ABT/ATP FOR JSPECK
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD ECON BTIO NS
SUBJECT: SURINAME INTRODUCES RICE REGULATING MEASURES
REF: A. PARAMARIBO 177
B. SECSTATE 39410
1. (U) Summary. The Government of Suriname implemented a new export
license requirement on rice exports. Border inspections will
include a search for rice being smuggled out of the country. Local
rice producers and exporters have criticized these new measures,
stating local demand is only projected to be for 20,000 tons of the
55,000 tons available. End Summary.
2. (U) The Government of Suriname implemented several new measures
to protect the local rice supply. On April 29, the Ministry of
Trade and Industry instituted a license requirement for rice
exports. Once a fully liberalized sector, exporters must now obtain
licenses from the Ministry prior to exporting rice. Licenses will
only be granted after the local demand quota is met.
3. (U) The Government of Suriname will intensify inspections at the
official border crossings at Albina (with French Guiana) and Nieuw
Nickerie (with Guyana) in order to combat rice smuggling, Minister
Kermechend Raghoebarsing of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Husbandry and Fisheries announced the week of May 5. Inspectors at
the unofficial "backtrack" border crossing at Nieuw Nickerie will
also be on the lookout for rice. The Minister suggested there could
also be inspections of schooners departing Paramaribo to ensure they
did not take rice in excess of their crews' needs.
4. (U) Rice farmers and exporters criticized the new export license
system, since there is no rice shortage in Suriname. In early
April, farmers and exporters had announced that Suriname has
approximately 55,000 tons of rice available until the September
harvest, and local demand was not expected to exceed 20,000 tons.
5. (U) Minister Raghoebarsing held talks with rice millers and
exporters and explained the government wanted to monitor the export
streams of rice. The Minister stated that export monitoring and
inspections to prevent rice smuggling are a short-term response to
guarantee local supply in light of rice shortages elsewhere.
GENTON