Eighteen local rice companies are now eligible to carry out milled rice exports to China starting from next month, according to an announcement released on Monday by the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF). In October, China signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia to import rice with an export quota of 200,000 tons per year. Earlier this month, a delegation of Chinese experts inspected the quality and safety at 28 rice mills, with all of them passing the quality and food hygiene tests. It was, however, agreed that the first 18 rice mills will start fulfilling the export quota as most of these have experience exporting rice to China in the past, and that the other 10 local companies that also passed inspection will proceed with exports later. CRF vice president Hun Lak said there was no limit in the amount of rice exports for each company as it depends on price negotiations. He added that more rice would be exported if Cambodia can compete with prices offered by Thailand and Vietnam. (Source: Khmer Times)