IORA countries urged to enhance ties

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member countries have been urged to cooperate, consolidate and focus on tangible outcome in making the grouping more effective and to benefit its people.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said programmes or projects proposed by IORA member countries must be pragmatic, economically viable and contribute to the progress of the Indian Ocean.

He said this at the 13th IORA Council of Ministers' Meeting held in Perth, Australia, yesterday. The statement was faxed to Bernama by Wisma Putra.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the minister held bilateral meetings with his Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop and the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Gamini Lakshman Peiris.

The 13th IORA COMM was chaired by Bishop, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The meeting deliberated several initiatives to enhance the dynamics of IORA and promote collaboration among member countries.

Key priority areas discussed include cooperation in maritime safety, disaster risk management, trade and investment, education, fisheries management and science and technology.

Malaysia via Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) proposed the establishment of a Centre for Multilateral Entrepreneurship Education.

Anifah said the centre will focus on innovative teaching to develop Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was well received by IORA member countries.

The meeting adopted the Perth Communique and the Declaration on Principles for Peaceful and Sustainable Use of the Indian Ocean and Its Resources.

"Both documents reaffirmed the shared interest of member countries to enhance cooperation in delivering sustainable economic growth and balanced development in the Indian Ocean."

IORA was established in 1997 to facilitate intra regional trade and investment. Trade among IORA member countries amounted to 13.4 percent of the global trade and 32.4 percent of Malaysian global trade.

IORA comprises 20 member countries of the Indian Ocean Rim and six dialogue partners; China, Egypt, France, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States.