09/10/2007 (Xinhua) - India's state-run trading firm MMTC has invited bids for import of 21,000 tons of edible oil, the company said Tuesday.

The move aims at meeting rising demands during the festive season beginning later this month.

MMTC plans to import 18,000 tons of crude palm oil and 3,000 tons of other oil this month.

The Indian government has asked state-run firms like STC Ltd, MMTC and PEC Ltd to step up edible oil purchases to meet surging demands.

As one of the world's leading oil buyers, India imports palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia and soy oil from Argentina and Brazil.

The country is expected to buy 6 million tons of edible oil by October 2008, industry officials said.

Source: Xinhua