MALAYSIA-INDONESIA COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Indonesia are committed to strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation in the agriculture sector and food security, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM).

In a statement today, KPKM said this was discussed during a courtesy visit from Indonesia's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, to the Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.

"In line with Malaysia-Indonesia close ties, the meeting discussed efforts to enhance bilateral and regional cooperation in the agriculture sector and food security," read the statement.

At the meeting, Arthur mentioned that the ministry is leading the preparation of one of the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) in conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship this year under the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF).

Arthur said that the PEDs would be presented during the 47th AMAF meeting this September, calling on all ASEAN member countries to support the efforts to realise a sustainable and resilient agricultural future.

KPKM said Arthur also invited Indonesia to attend the Mini Malaysia Agricultural, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Exhibition (Mini MAHA), which will be held in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit towards the year-end.

In 2023, Indonesia was Malaysia's third-largest trading partners in the agri-food sector and selected agricultural products, registering RM18.88 billion in trade value in the agriculture sector alone.

-- BERNAMA