CNN Indonesia
Thursday, 12 Oct 2023 16:38 IWST
Bulog President Director Budi Waseso said China was ready to help Indonesia meet the food needs of its people during the El Nino famine by providing 1 million tons of rice. (CNNIndonesia/Adi Ibrahim).
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Main Director of Perum Logistics Bureau Budi Waseso said China ready to help Indonesia meet its needs rice during the El Nino famine.
Budi said that the Bamboo Curtain Country had committed to pouring out 1 million tons of rice to help Indonesia. Chinese President Xi Jinping has conveyed the offer of assistance to Jokowi.
“Yesterday the President (Jokowi) and the President of China spoke and China is ready to help Indonesia when Indonesia needs it. China is ready to help up to 1 million tonnes,” said Budi in Tanjung Priok, Thursday (12/10) afternoon.
Budi said the offer from China was a breath of fresh air for Indonesia, which is trying to strengthen its rice reserves.
Moreover, the offer was made when India, one of Indonesia’s main rice suppliers, closed its export taps.
“I say that we must often be grateful that there are countries that still provide and are willing to export rice for the benefit of Indonesia. Indeed, India is still closing its exports, so we cannot get it from India,” he said.
However, Budi said he had not made any decisions regarding Chinese assistance.
“Because there are still others from other countries. But in principle, China is ready. This is for our peace of mind,” he said.
The condition of government rice reserves in Bulog warehouses is starting to drain. This information was conveyed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) while in Subang, last Sunday (8/100).
Jokowi said there would be rice imports until the end of the year. He said the imports were made because rice production was reduced due to the long El Niño drought.
“It’s still not enough, so the current stock in Bulog is 1.7 million tons, we are still adding more, until the end of the year it will be around 1.5 million tons,” said Jokowi.
(mrh/august)
2023-10-12 09:38:31
#China #Ready #Pour #Indonesia #Million #Tons #Rice
