Jakarta, Sept. 11 -- Indonesian Deputy Agriculture Minister Sudaryono clarified that the government remains committed to its no-rice-import policy this year, while still allowing imports of specific types of rice required by certain restaurants.

Addressing the press in Jakarta on Wednesday (September 10), he cited examples such as Japanese restaurants needing Japanese rice and establishments serving Arabian and Indian cuisine requiring basmati rice-both of which are not replaceable with domestic rice.

"In short, imported rice is only for certain restaurants," Sudaryono stressed.

Emphasizing the limited scope of imports, the deputy minister assured the public that the government would not permit rice inflows for general consumption, as ...