Myanmar and China are soon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the export of rice into China, according to a report in the Myanmar Times. China is a major export market for Myanmar, particularly for agricultural products. Until now no formal agreement has been signed and much of the trade of the product remains informal. “We plan to sign the MoU for the export of rice and broken rice to China by this month or next,” U Aung Htoo, deputy minister for commerce was quoted as saying. He also added that negotiations are ongoing. Currently, Myanmar exports its rice to China based on a quota system. The move is part of plans to increase the level being sold over the border. Aung Htoo said that Myanmar must also improve the quality of its rice mills to ensure they meet international standards, in order to increase the level of exports.