Telangana Seeks Centre’s Help to Waive Rice Export Duty for Philippines Deal
Hyderabad: In a significant development, the Telangana government is poised to request the Central Government to waive the 10% export duty on rice shipments, following the Philippines’ interest in importing 300,000 tonnes of locally-grown rice.
The initiative comes after a video-conferencing meeting held on October 6, in which Telangana’s Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy engaged with officials from the Philippines’ food and agriculture department. Minister Rogers V. Navarro conveyed his government’s intent to secure rice imports to address local food requirements, following prior discussions with a delegation from the Philippines.
Given that the Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation (TGCSC) is a government entity, the state is optimistic about obtaining the exemption. The exemption would not only facilitate the export of rice but also support local farmers by ensuring competitive pricing.
Uttam Kumar Reddy is scheduled to visit the Philippines for further negotiations regarding the rice exports. The final decision on export pricing is expected to be made post his visit, contingent upon the outcomes of these discussions.
This strategic move highlights Telangana’s commitment to expanding its agricultural export markets while addressing global food security challenges.
