Cambodia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Dith Tina (left) and Agriculture and Food Security minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. -NSTP/SAIFULLIZAN TAMADI

KUALA LUMPUR: Cambodia is prepared to initiate rice exports to Malaysia, following a meeting between the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Dith Tina, and Agriculture and Food Security minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

During the meeting, Cambodia extended an invitation to Malaysia to invest in agriculture and offered the opportunity for rice exports from Cambodia to Malaysia.

The meeting marked the first time that the two counterparts met where it aimed at reinforcing trade cooperation within the agricultural sector.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, it was revealed that the value of agricultural trade between Malaysia and Cambodia experienced a 17 percent surge, reaching RM452.8 million in 2022, compared to RM375 million in 2021.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asean Ministers’ Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) yesterday and included discussions on the potential for agricultural trade between Malaysia and Brunei. Datuk Seri Setia Dr. Awang Abdul Manaf, Brunei’s Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, also participated in the discussions.

“To further enhance bilateral relations between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia intends to explore potential cooperation in shrimp farming, agricultural research and development, as well as the export of livestock products to Brunei Darussalam.”

The meeting was also attended by the Agriculture and Food Security deputy minister, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, the secretary-general of the ministry, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, and other senior officials.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Department of Fisheries (DOF), Department of Agriculture Malaysia (DOA), and Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

Published Date: October 8, 2023