January 19, 2010

Relationships between Malaysia and Indonesia in the field of agriculture are enhanced particularly in the fields of research and development (R&D), technology and capacity building in agro-based industries.

In addition, both countries have agreed to widen cooperation in looking after the welfare and well-being of fishermen who are facing problems due to cross-border fishing in the waters of both countries.

There are business potentials for Malaysian companies to invest in agricultural activities and other fields including cattle farming, padi cultivation and fisheries and marine industries, Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar said.

The minister had also asked ministry officials to take follow-up action on agricultural policies and regulations in the republic to be used as guidelines for Malaysian investors.

Malaysia and Indonesia are also seeking to widen cooperation in the high-impact seaweed production.

There is great potential for cooperation in research and processing in these two sectors, Noh said.

Both countries would also cooperate in the field of bio-security to ensure that the fish landed could be exported to and accepted in the European markets, he told reporters after discussions with Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad.

Meanwhile, Fadel said it was strategic for Malaysia and Indonesia to step up cooperation in fisheries because both countries, as members of the D-8 group of Islamic developing countries, had agreed on marine and fisheries industries as the basis for enhancing food security.

He said the volume of Indonesian exports to Malaysia in the fisheries sector in 2008 was 57,159 tonnes valued at US$62.7 million.

Noh is leading a delegation of senior government officers and heads of government-linked companies on a week-long visit to Indonesia as a follow-up to the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib to Sulawesi at the end of last year to discuss potential cooperation and investment in agriculture.