Bernama.com (Malaysian National News Agency), September 12, 2006 21:09 PM

M'sia Seeks Netherlands' Expertise To Revolutionise Agri Sector

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is seeking technical assistance from the Netherlands to further develop its agricultural sector, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Tuesday.

"While Malaysia welcomes foreign investments in the agricultural sector, Malaysia also requires technical assistance and capacity building in areas which the Netherlands is strong at, such as floriculture, livestock and research and development in biotechnology," he said at the opening of the Netherlands' agriculture office here.

"There is so much for Malaysia to learn from the Netherlands in its endeavour to develop and modernise its agricultural sector as envisaged in the National Agriculture Policy and the Ninth Malaysia Plan," he added.

Kuala Lumpur become host to the Netherlands' 33rd agriculture office around the world.

Today's event was held at Netherlands ambassador Lody Embrechts' residence. Its Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Safety secretary-general, Kriss Kalden, was also present.

Muhyiddin said both countries were already working together to promote cooperation through the existing mechanisms, namely the Malaysia-Netherlands Bilateral Meeting and the Trilateral Partnership involving Malaysia, the Netherlands and Indonesia.

Recently, Malaysia also a similar office in the Netherlands to enable local investors to explore investment opportunities in that country and use it as as a gateway to export their goods to other European markets.

Agricultural trade between the two countries exceeds US$1 billion.

-- BERNAMA