Global officials to issue communique warning of economic risk

by the end of the year, as experts call for farmers to focus on producing higher quality - and higher value - strains of rice.

Darren Cooper, senior economist at the London-based International Grains Council, said it is “quite possible (Thailand) could edge out India in 2014”, explaining the kingdom has already begun to reclaim portions of the key African markets it lost - such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

“The real story will be next year when I think Thailand will be easily the world’s biggest exporter,” he said.

Much also depends on India, Cooper added, after New Delhi flooded lower premium rice to the export market to off-set the retreat of the Thai grain and avert a feared global food crisis.

Thailand’s military rulers are talking tough on the kingdom’s subsidy culture - including rice and other major exports such as rubber.

They have paid most of the farmers, hundreds of whom took to the streets, after they were left out of pocket as banks refused to lend cash to Yingluck’s stricken administration to keep the scheme going.

But to wean farmers off handouts they are focusing on lowering production costs, including of fertilisers and machinery. — AFP WASHINGTON: Finance and development ministers from around the world next week will warn of considerable downside risks to the global economy, and call for an effort to protect the world’s poor, according to the draft of a communique they plan to issue after a meeting on Saturday.

With Europe flirting with deflation, Japan not far from recession and a slowing economy in China, the world’s No. 2 economy, there are worries the recovery from the deep 2007-2009 crisis is losing traction.

“The global economy remains on a cautious watch and is subject to considerable downside risks that could dent global growth and confidence,” said the draft of a communique prepared for release by the joint IMF-World Bank Development Committee.

“The path to economic growth, job creation and shared prosperity will require a sustained multilateral effort to protect the poorest and most vulnerable.” A copy of the draft, which was obtained by Reuters, praised the World Bank for its response to the Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 3,400 people in West Africa and called for quick and coordinated support to mitigate its impact.

The statement said 20% of the impoverished countries receiving aid from the World Bank’s fund for the poorest have not shown per capita output growth since 2000 and are particularly in danger of being hit hard if the global recovery founders. It urged the bank and the International Monetary Fund to monitor lowincome countries’ vulnerability to shocks, including the dangers their public debts might pose.

It also called for similar short and mediumterm help from the World Bank and IMF for North Africa and the Middle East, especially countries in conflict. The World Bank also was encouraged to increase private investment opportunities in nations falling into conflict.

On other topics, the communique draft called for the two leading multilateral agencies, who are holding their annual meetings in Washington in the coming week, to expand their emphasis on gender equality and climate change, while helping countries with energy supplies and infrastructure investment. — Reuters