KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — Malaysia and Saudi Arabia will explore new cooperation opportunities in the field of agricultural research, including the potential of exchanging technical experts in the future, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI).
In a statement today, MAFI said this followed its discussion with the Saudi Arabia’s National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah) during the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee’s three-day official visit to the Kingdom which ended yesterday.
The discussion revolved around possible technical cooperation and joint agricultural research with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) which will not only involve an exchange of technical experts, but also research and development (R&D).
Other potential cooperations are in having joint laboratories, modern agriculture and the sharing of technical information and agricultural technologies.
“This will mark the first agricultural research collaboration for MARDI in Saudi Arabia,” the statement read.
Ronald’s official visit was at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al Fadley following the latter’s official visit to Malaysia on July 13.
MAFI said that during Ronald’s courtesy call on Abdulrahman, various government-to-government strategic efforts were discussed in detail to strengthen the food security agenda in the two countries.
It said the visit was also capable of strengthening the trade relationship between the two countries as last year alone, Malaysia’s export of agricultural produce and products to Saudi Arabia amounted to RM2.4 billion, while the import, amounted to RM100 million.
The ministry said a meeting was also held with Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) and Saudi Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), each of which opened new opportunities to explore possible collaboration for mutual benefit.
Several series of discussions were also held, including with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) to increase market access for Malaysian agrofood products in Saudi Arabia.
“The close cooperation established through the bilateral meetings is hoped o continue contributing to the increase in bilateral trade and cooperation in a bid to strengthen the national food security agenda.
“This is also in line with the government’s commitment, particularly in efforts to ensure a more inclusive food security ecosystem through comprehensive strategic collaboration to diversify food sources and supply chains for the sake of sustainability of the country’s agrofood industry,” it said.
