Malaysia continues to explore agricultural collaboration with Uzbekistan

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will continue to explore new cooperation opportunities in the agriculture and food industry sector with Uzbekistan, said Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee.

He said this was among the matters discussed regarding bilateral relations between the two countries when the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Malaysia Ravshan Usmanov paid a courtesy call on Wisma Tani here, yesterday.

Uzbekistan is Malaysia's trading partner in Central Asia with high market potential.

"From January to November 2020, agricultural trade between the two countries was in favour of Malaysia amounting to RM115.03 million, with the export value of Malaysia's agricultural trade to Uzbekistan amounting to RM145.97 million and import value amounting to RM30.94 million," said Ronald in a statement today.

Export products are mostly coffee, cocoa, tea, spices and fruits, while imported products are vegetables and fruits, he said.

Also present during the courtesy call were Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid and the Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Warris.

-- BERNAMA