Food forum: Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma meets Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Commerce Mingkwan Saengsuwan in Bangkok.

Hong Kong will get priority treatment for Thai rice imports. The assurance was given to Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Frederick Ma today by Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Commerce Mingkwan Saengsuwan in Bangkok.

Despite increasing global demand for the nine million tonnes of Thai rice exported annually, Mr Mingkwan pledged Hong Kong will be given priority treatment to import the kingdom's grain. He said Hong Kong's import of 300,000 tonnes of Thai rice per year will continue.

Meanwhile, export of Thai fruit like mango and durian will rise. Mr Mingkwan said priority treatment will again be given to Hong Kong to import Thai fruit. He also hoped Hong Kong can work as a regional distribution centre for Thai fruit.