E. Timor assured of rice supply

DILI, East Timor: East Timor Deputy Governor Johanes Haribowo said the province has 16,000 tons of rice stored in its warehouses, enough for at least five months.

Haribowo, who heads the administration's team for monitoring the supply of basic foodstuffs, said the ample stock should keep the market price at its current level of Rp 1,100 to Rp 1,200 a kilogram.

East Timor needs 3,000 tons of rice each month, he said.

The administration also has an adequate supply of generic drugs from the central government which are sold with a government subsidy of up to 30 percent, he said.

He urged doctors in East Timor to prescribed generic drugs. (33)