KUCHING, Dec. 20 -- The state government has agreed in principle to establish the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board to regulate the development of the rice industry statewide, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

He said that in line with the proposal, the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development is streamlining processes to enable Sarawak to import padi seeds and export rice.

"We are still discussing the matter with the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as presently, the import and export of rice falls under the jurisdiction of Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas)," he told reporters in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report after opening the Sri Aman Islamic Complex.

Abang...