Commerce Minister announces readiness to overhaul the Rice Act, adjusting criteria. Reduce steps-documents Solve trade barriers Promote the Thai rice industry Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, said after chairing the meeting of the Committee for Operations in accordance with the Rice Trade Act, B.E. 2489, B.E. 2489, No. 1/2024, that the committee had considered the amendment and improvement of the committee's announcement. Under the Rice Trade Act, B.E. 2489, there are 3 issues: 1. Amend the positions of officials with authority to consider issuing permits in accordance with the improvement of the structure and mission of the agency responsible for issuing permits. 2. Amend the definition of wholesale and rice merchant types. There is overlap in the meaning of trade in paddy and milled rice. and create confusion for entrepreneurs In applying for permission to trade in rice Therefore, a clear classification must be made between the wholesale category, namely rice trade rs. and the type of Tha Khao is the paddy rice trader. and 3. Improving the method for renewing permission letters to be a notification instead of submitting a request. Including reducing documentation for renewal and exempting rice traders who are rice brokers from having to submit rice trade reports. Because they are middlemen who do not have rice stocks to trade with. To increase convenience and promote rice trading business The said improvement issue has been approved after listening to the opinions of rice traders and related agencies. It is seen that it is beneficial and convenient for conducting a direct rice trading business. In this regard, the said improvement of the committee's announcement is part of the implementation of the policy to amend laws under the responsibility of the Ministry of Commerce. The objective is to facilitate the public and private sector in conducting business. It is in line with the government's policy to change the role of the government sector that used to be a regulator . Be a supporter of creating opportunities for people to generate income. .-514- Source: Thai News Agency