Reposted from blackseagrain

Japan is helping to boost Myanmar’s quest to regain its status as a top rice exporter by importing long-grain rice from the former military ruled Southeast Asian country for the first time in 45 years. Even more importantly, companies like Mitsui are investing in rice production to ensure the longevity of the industry. Myanmar Rice Industry Association Chairman Chit Khaing said that Japan is very enthusiastic about investing in the country’s rice industry.

Chit Khaing is also the head of the Myanmar Agribusiness Public Corporation Ltd (MAPCO) which is entering a joint venture with trading house Mitsui. They will be building four processing plants to produce rice for exports and to manufacture food products and produce power as well. This will be set up as part of the Integrated Rice Complex Project, which aims to produce 400,000 tons of rice per year. They will be creating other food products out of the rice like rice bran oil and rice noodles. Rice hulls will power the four factories as well. MAPCO will also be entering into a joint venture with Mitsubishi to mill tropical japonica rice, which is currently being milled in China. That particular kind of rice is used in the thin rice cakes that are very popular in Japan. More…