EBRD to provide loan to Olam

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a loan of up to US$150 million to Olam International Ltd., a leading commodities trader based in Singapore. The loan will be used to assist the company to its increased engagements in Ukraine, Egypt, Poland, Georgia and Turkey. Olam will be expanding its activities in

Global push planned for Thai farm sector

The National Strategic Committee on Country Competitiveness aims to push Thailand to become a super power in the global agriculture market. The committee has completed and handed over its first draft to the National Economic and Social Development Board, the state think-tank, said committee chairman Sathit. Sathit says Thailand has a comparative advantage in the

Asian grocery boom

Asia is expected to be the biggest engine of growth in the grocery market, exceeding the sales of Europe and North America combined in five years, according to the UK-based research organization Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD).  The organization also said that the drivers of global growth include inflation, population, and rising incomes. According to

China to complete product quality traceability system by 2020

China will complete its product quality traceability system by 2020, which will include key products such as farm produce, food, medicine, special equipment, dangerous materials and rare earth. The system will provide important information including sources, destinations and accountable persons in reinforcing product quality and safety.  It is expected that the system will raise quality