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SINGAPORE: There is no evidence that rice importers in Singapore are colluding to restrict supply and drive up prices, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S Iswaran said on Monday.
On the contrary, he said, importers have requested to bring in more rice to meet increased consumer demand.
Mr Iswaran was responding to a question brought up in Parliament by MP for Aljunied GRC Cynthia Phua, who was one of several MPs who raised concerns over rice supply and prices.
Mr Iswaran stressed that importers are not allowed to engage, directly or indirectly, in unfair trade practices. He warned that the government takes such anti-competitive behaviour very seriously, and his ministry will take action against errant businesses.
In response to another query from MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, Lee Bee Wah, on the contingency measures if rice exporting countries should continue to curb exports, Mr Iswaran gave the assurance that Singapore's rice supply is well-diversified.
Thailand, Singapore's major source of rice, has also pledged to continue to meet global orders.
Mr Iswaran also clarified that the current reductions placed on rice exports by Vietnam, India and China are not on the premium rice consumed by Singaporeans.
Responding to requests by rice importers, he said the Ministry of Trade and Industry has allowed additional imports to the mandated stockpile requirements, giving importers a bigger buffer against future supply shocks. - CNA/ac
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