SHAH ALAM - Malaysia has inked eight memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth RM197 million at the EXPO 2020 Dubai.
This includes five MoUs between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysian companies to develop sustainable agriculture through strong engagement and strategic partnerships between the two nations and other global players.
The MoUs were dubbed as the highlight of the Malaysia Pavilion’s Sustainable Agriculture Week at the EXPO 2020 Dubai.
Weighing in on the matter, Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, said the MoUs include extensive cooperation in research and development, trade and distribution, market access, commercial activities, investments, technology transfer, as well as sales and marketing of products and services.
This, according to Kiandee, will significantly boost the Malaysian government’s sustainable agriculture efforts as well as contribute towards combating climate change.
Kiandee also stated that the MoUs will increase diplomatic ties between Malaysia and its largest trading partner in the middle east, the UAE.
"It is evident that due to its growing popularity and influence in the trade and financial sectors in the region, the UAE stands out as an important partner for Malaysia.
Our cooperation and partnership will help Malaysian agricultural producers to easily access new markets in sustainable agriculture not just in the UAE but in the entire Middle East region.
On its part, Malaysia will also serve as the gateway for UAE products and services in Southeast Asia,’’ he said in a statement today.
Seeking to improve Malaysia’s agricultural capacity, the strategy is anchored by the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and MAFI’s National Agrofood Policy 2.0 of 2021-2030 which collectively focuses on the adoption of new technologies and digitalisation in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Chairman of Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation, Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid also affirms Malaysia’s commitment to adopting best practices for sustainable agriculture while providing ease of access to local markets for its trading partners.
"As the implementing agency for Sustainable Agriculture Week, Bioeconomy Corporation strongly promotes the adoption of technological innovations especially those related to bio-based and biotechnology, which support and grow sustainable agriculture in Malaysia.
"Dubai has been at the forefront of adopting such value-driven technologies including hydroponic technology and vertical farming to boost its fruits and vegetable production.
"This is the direction that Malaysia is getting ready to take on more activities to enhance its agricultural productivity and most importantly, to open up more opportunities to access new healthy and sustainable-based products for Malaysia and UAE.”
Key areas focus in the MoUs include Biodiversity to wellness, fruits of the tropical land and its byproducts, smart urban farming, smart farming solutions and waste-to-wealth, among others.
Apart from the five MoUs with the UAE, Malaysia also signed three other MoUs with companies from Egypt, Germany, and Maldives.