"The 5,800 tons of rice are already on their way from Vietnam to Pantoloan Port in Palu," Makkeng Ali said.
He expressed hope that in the next few days the imported rice from Vietnam would arrive in Palu to reinforce the stock in Bulog`s warehouse.
He said Bulog at present still had a rice stock of 5,000 tons to be distributed among target families in 10 districts and cities in Central Sulawesi.
But based on a calculation of the region`s average monthly rice distribution need, the available stock would be able to meet the local people`s demand for only one and a half month.
"Therefore we hope the rice from Vietnam will arrive here soon," he said, adding that the rice import from Vietnam was not the initiative of Central Sulawesi branch of Bulog but it was merely a national policy.
He said not only Central Sulawesi would get the imported rice but other provinces as well including North Sulawesi.(*)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
