The rice deal has been agreed upon, but the deal on the rubber needs further negotiations, Ms.Apiradi said. Ms Apiradi said the rice deal will be signed by Foreign Trade Department and the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation (Cofco),a Chinese state-owned food conglomerate. It will be taken from the new rice stockpile and quote market prices, though the types of grain will be stipulated later, she said, adding delivery would be completed by next year. Mr.Arkhom said the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of an operation control centre under the Sino-Thai railway development project will be held at Chiang Rak Noi train station in Pathum Thani on Dec 19 as scheduled. Meanwhile, Thailand and Japan have joined together in setting up a Climate Change Technology Transfer Centre to battle the effects of climate change, says Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj