LNP - Govt. extends license-free rice import period until January 10

The government has extended the temporary lifting of rice import restrictions, allowing private importers to bring in rice without a license until January 10. Earlier this month, the Cabinet approved the temporary lifting of rice import restrictions until December 20 due to a rice shortage in the country and the damage caused to paddy cultivation by the recent floods. Since the lifting of the restrictions, it has been reported that private importers have brought in approximately 36,000 metric tonnes of rice.