Work has begun on a five-country regional rice co-operation agreement to enhance the image and quality of Southeast Asian rice. The initial focus will be on production technology transfer and information exchange among Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Together, they control 45% of the global rice trade.

The programme will be carried out under the auspices of Acmecs, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Strategy. ''The agreement will help raise the image of the region as a site to produce varieties of rice with high standards,'' said Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet.