By Leonard GildarieRice millers and exporters were yesterday again given another opportunity to tap into a lucrative, multi-million dollar deal with Venezuela.A high-level delegation of the factory owners and other stakeholders yesterday met with Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, to discuss mechanisms to meet the quotas being demanded by Venezuela.Already, government is eyeing the possibilities of further expanding the rice and other markets to that neighboring country although it was recognized that stringent health standards and other requirements will have to be met.Several paddy shipments have already been sent out.According to Persaud, President Bharrat Jagdeo will be making representation to Venezuela’s President,Discount Jordans Online, Hugo Chavez, in upcoming meetings on extending and expanding the rice markets there.Since the historic deal signed last year between Guyana and Venezuela,Cheap NFL Jerseys, millers and exporters have been slow to come onboard. However,Hydro Flask Water Bottle Sale, world market prices have dipped somewhat and the better prices being offered by Venezuela are now being eyed by millers and exporters alike.Yesterday’s meeting was to further ensure that the quota is met in a more structured way with no questions about transparency,China Jerseys Wholesale, the Minister said.It was stressed that the deal,Scarpe Nike Air Max Scontate, worth over US$20M, for 40,NFL Jerseys China,000 tonnes of paddy and 10,000 tonnes of white rice, was negotiated to ensure that farmers would also benefit from the better prices being paid. Additionally, the deal was done to also help in diversifying the export market, Persaud said.The Venezuela market would also allow millers to pay farmers faster since the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has been disbursing payments.It was acknowledged yesterday that while Guyana has rice and paddy to supply the quota to Venezuela, the paperwork involved is a challenge. The system of that neighbouring country was designed to take rice mainly from out of the region and with Guyana less than three days away using ships, mechanisms will have to be found to speed up the process.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may now have to talk with Venezuelan officials to remove some of this red tape, the Minister said.He warned that farmers, millers and exporters have to ensure that their product should be of the highest quality and urged for the millers and exporters to consider restarting an association that would represent them, something that has been encouraged for some time now.According to GRDB’s General Manager, Jagnarine Singh, the deal signed last year between the two countries was revised this year, with prices being increased. He highlighted the fact that thorough checks have to be carried out to ensure that the rice and paddy meet health and sanitary standards of Venezuela.Only last week, permission was granted for the shipments of rice to start,Stitched Atlanta Falcons Jerseys, he said. Already, millers and exporters have been paid in excess of US$6.4M for paddy shipped there.Present also at the meeting yesterday were GRDB’s Deputy General Manager, Ricky Ramraj and General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj.