Thailand

The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the establishment of Thailand Food Security Stockpile and Distribution Center and Industry with the Board of Trade of Thailand.

"At an UNCTAD meeting on investment in agriculture on February 3, China became the central focus of criticism amid a chorus of concerns about the economic, food security, environmental and social impact of large foreign purchases of agricultural lands in developing countries," reports the US mission to Geneva

Charoen Pokphand officials interacted with various agencies of government involved in seed production and sales in a bid to have access to relevant information and to consider the procedure for acquisition of land.

Khon Kaen Sugar Industry Plc aims to invest about 15 billion baht over the next five years to double its sugarcane output in Thailand and continuously expand its presence in Cambodia and Laos.

Vichai Sriprasent, President of Riceland International, said that Ghana had vast tracts of land and water sources that could be exploited for rice production.

Thailand should take a clear position on foreign investment in the rice industry as concern over food security is expected to increase pressure from abroad, an industry chief says.

Saudi Arabia and neighbours take a new tack in the quest to secure supplies of food from Thailand, this time seeking rice processing factories.

The cooperation will be in the establishment of rice farms by the Thais in Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones.

The TCC Group's move to terminate the farmers' leases comes amid increased concerns that foreign firms are taking a controlling interest in rice farms in Thailand's central provinces.

Bangkok was wary of GCC efforts to ensure its food supplies by purchasing rice growing lands, and now political instability is chilling the investment climate. Tom Spender reports

Bahrain and other Gulf countries' plan to buy agricultural land in Thailand to bolster their food supplies could be thwarted, it has emerged.

Gulf investors may be forced to reconsider plans to acquire agricultural land in Thailand following moves there that could curb foreign investment in the sector.