THE small West African nation Gambia has signed an agreement to import Myanmar rice, Gambia’s economic minister told Myanmar Times during a business trip to Yangon last week.

»Mr Edward Singhateh, Gambian minister for Trade, Indutsy and Employment

Myanma Agricultural Produces Trading, a body under the Ministry of Commerce, signed the agreement with Mr Edward Singhateh, Gambia’s minister of Trade, Industry and Employment, last Thursday afternoon shortly before the five-member Gambian delegation left Myanmar the same day.

“Rice is a very important issue (for Gambia) – African countries are the least developed in the world,” Mr Singhateh said.

“Rice is very expensive on the world market but… with the generosity of the Myanmar government, hopefully we will be able to have a good supply of rice at an affordable price.”

Mr Singhateh met senior officials from Myanmar’s Ministry of Commerce and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry during the visit.

U Sein Win Hlaing, secretary-general of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said Myanmar’s private sector is eager to export 25 per cent broken grade rice, the main variety exported by Myanmar, which is selling for about $180 this month.

Mr Singhateh said the purpose of the delegation was also to promote business cooperation between Gambia and Myanmar.

“Myanmar has a lot of agricultural produce,” Mr Singhateh said. “Trade between Gambia and Myanmar is mainly in rice, but there are many other trading opportunities Africa can offer.”

“We are trying to work with the Myanmar government to start cooperation and open up trade with Myanmar, not only with Gambia but also with the whole of West Africa (a process in which trade would flow through Gambia),” Mr Singhateh said.

Gambia imports significant quantities of food to meet the needs of its population as domestic production is unable to meet demand. Mr Singhateh said it is likely that rice imports into Gambia will increase in response to population and economic growth in the country.

Part of Gambia’s rice imports is re-exported to neighbouring countries including Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Mali estimated to be about 30 per cent of total imports, according to Gambia’s Central Statistics Department.

According to figures published by Myanmar’s Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, there were no Myanmar rice exports to Gambia between April 1995 and March 2002.