Jun 22, 2015
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA -- USA Rice has hired a consultant in Baghdad to represent the interests of the U.S. rice industry before the Ministry of Trade and the Grain Board of Iraq that issues public tenders for the purchase of rice on the international market. USA Rice has been engaged with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, the Department of State, and the Foreign Agricultural staff in Washington to make the case for U.S. rice to the Ministry.
“The hiring of a local consultant who is a native speaker is the next logical step in the process of establishing consistent lines of communication and assuring fair treatment of U.S. offers on the current and future tenders,” said Hartwig Schmidt, USA Rice regional director, international market development.
The consultant, Duraid Al Soufi, met with the Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Trade Minister yesterday and has an appointment to meet the Minister this weekend.
There is currently an active tender for purchasing 30,000 MT of rice which closes on June 28. Iraq usually tenders for a minimum of 30,000 MT, but more often than not purchases significantly more than the minimum on each tender.
Iraq imports nearly 1.5 million MT of rice annually. The U.S. is competitive with other rice exporters in the Western Hemisphere, and if treated equitably should win a portion of the current tender.
Contact: Jim Guinn (703) 236-1474