• Malaysia is keen on tapping into UAE’s growing agricultural sector including its diverse and culinary-rich market for its agricultural produce

DUBAI: As part of efforts to strengthen economic ties between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysian companies present at the Malaysia Pavilion in EXPO 2020 Dubai inked five multi-million dirhams worth of Memorandum’s of Understanding (MoUs) with UAE-based enterprises in a bid to spur sustainable agriculture between the two nations.

Dubbed as the highlight of the Malaysia Pavilion’s Sustainable Agriculture Week at the ongoing EXPO 2020 Dubai, the partnerships formalised with the exchange of MoUs at the programme’s launch today will help Malaysia to promote and expand its potential in sustainable agriculture by establishing strong engagement and strategic partnerships with the UAE and other global players.

The Malaysian companies also exchanged three other MoUs with companies from Egypt, Germany, and Maldives bringing the total number of MoUs to eight, all worth over AED173 million (MYR 197 million) in potential trade and business opportunities.

According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries Malaysia (MAFI), Datuk Seri Dr. Ronald Kiandee, 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 the Minister, will significantly boost the Malaysian government’s sustainable agriculture efforts as well as contribute towards combating climate change.

Key areas of focus outlined 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. Special focus will also be given to culinary sustainability, cutting-edge agricultural technologies and solutions, and investment opportunities for agricultural sustainability.

The week-long event, which kicks off from Monday, February 21st to Friday, February 26th, 2022, is expected to attract over 2,000 visitors and delegates. With over 20 Malaysian companies and organizations taking part, the event also aims to attract global collaborations and knowledge-sharing platforms for creating new opportunities and fresh solutions to address issues like COVID-19, poverty and climate change through sustainable agriculture.

Dato’ Mohd Tarid bin Sufian, Malaysia Ambassador to The United Arab Emirates said while delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister: “Malaysia has been at the forefront of seeking sustainable solutions that address the prevalent bottlenecks in food production, safety, and security. Malaysia’s Sustainable Agriculture Week at EXPO 2020 Dubai is an important initiative that will spur and enhance investment and collaboration opportunities in sustainable agriculture and also fuel the fight against climate change. We believe that UAE’s commitment to innovative thinking and sustainable development in key areas of focus will complement Malaysia’s direction towards technology adoption and modernisation in sustainable agriculture.”

During the much-awaited event, Malaysian companies will also launch and showcase some of their most sought-after agricultural products and services as well as use the platform to break into the regional market using the UAE as a gateway.

Strengthening UAE, Malaysia ties

Malaysia’s thriving research and development, talented youthful workforce, and empowerment opportunities for its agriculture workers are some of the value-driven aspects that the UAE and other partners can build on to add to their existing strengths and capabilities.

Historically, the UAE has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East with total trade between the two nations exceeding US$6 billion in 2019. According to Kiandee, the UAE still remains Malaysia’s preferred agricultural trading partner largely due to its status as the international trade and financial hub for the Middle East and North Africa region.

“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,” noted Kiandee.

Tech-driven agriculture

The Malaysian sustainable agricultural strategy is anchored on its Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and MAFI’s National Agrofood Policy 2.0 of 2021-2030 which collectively emphasises the adoption of new technologies and digitalisation in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

As part of this strategy and policy formulation, Malaysia is also seeking to adopt new-age mechanisation and automation in an effort to boost its agricultural productivity, system support, services, and to strengthen food value chains that directly contribute to the sustainability of its food system.

Senator Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Chairman of Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation said: “As the implementing

agency for Sustainable Agriculture Week, Bioeconomy Corporation strongly promotes 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 actively 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.”

The Sustainable Agriculture Week is one of the 26 weekly trade and business programmes hosted by Malaysia Pavilion. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia is the lead ministry for Malaysia's participation at Expo 2020 Dubai with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as implementing agency.

-Ends-

ABOUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WEEK

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries Malaysia (MAFI) is the lead ministry for Week 21: Sustainable Agriculture segment at the Malaysia Pavilion, EXPO 2020 Dubai from 21 to 26 February 2022, centred on the concept of “Our Food, Our Future”.

This week sees Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) as the implementing agency with participation from 20 exhibiting companies, 11 departments/agencies under MAFI, as well as companies from Malaysia that are participating virtually.

For more information, visit www.mafi-events.com 

ABOUT BIOECONOMY CORPORATION

Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (Bioeconomy Corporation) is the leading economic development agency for the biotechnology and bio-based industries in Malaysia. Established in 2005, Bioeconomy Corporation is owned by the Minister of Finance Incorporated and Federal Lands Commissioner and has been under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) since November 2018.

Bioeconomy Corporation provides support, facilitation, and advisory services to nurture an enabling ecosystem of business, academic and scientific communities that drives the biotechnology and biotechnology and bio-based industries in Malaysia. These cover business, investment, R&D, human capital development, financial infrastructure, legal and regulatory framework and strategic development with government support and commitment.

The Government awards the BioNexus Status to qualified international and Malaysian companies through Bioeconomy Corporation, undertaking value-added biotechnology, bio-based or life science activities. The special status bestows the companies with fiscal incentives, facilitation, and other guarantees to assist their growth.

For futher details, visit www.bioeconomycorporation.my 

ABOUT MALAYSIA PAVILION AT EXPO 2020 Dubai

Malaysia's self-built 1,234.05 sq meter pavilion is the first net zero carbon pavilion at the EXPO. The Pavilion features a rainforest canopy inspired by the majestic tropical rainforest of Malaysia, blending cultural elements with nature and functionality into a futuristic building.

The Pavilion carries the theme "Energising Sustainability" to represent the nation's commitment and approach to sustainable development. It is segmented into four sub-themes; "Energising Today", "Energising Tomorrow", "Energising Harmony" and "Energising Business". Malaysia's activities during the EXPO will include permanent 3D displays, daily cultural performances, craft demonstrations, café operations as well as 26 weekly thematic trade and business programmes.

The business weeks will involve a large contingent of 21 ministries, 70 departments and agencies and five state governments initiating and supporting the programmes. They will also bring weekly business delegations from the industry that will participate in pocket talks, product launches, business matching sessions and signing of MoUs. Malaysia Pavilion will also host and participate in summits and forums throughout Expo.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is the lead ministry for Malaysia's participation at the mega event. Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) is the implementing agency.

For media inquiries, kindly contact:
Nur Akmar Yusoff
Executive
Strategic Communication
Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation
Email: akmar.yusoff@bioeconomycorporation.my
Jane Ritikos
PR & Media Manager
Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
Email: janeritikos@gmail.com 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2022

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.