The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, today (October 5) received a courtesy visit from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, TYT Miyashita Ichiro during the ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) and Related Meetings on October 4.
Japan is one of Malaysia’s active trading partners in the agricultural products sector.
The value of agricultural trade between Malaysia and Japan recorded an increase of 45.68% from RM5.21 billion in 2021 to RM7.59 billion in 2022, showing the high potential of agricultural trade between the two countries.
This meeting is the first between the two Ministers to discuss issues related to food security and safety between the two sides.
The two countries are also ready to strengthen cooperation through agriculture, active trade and technical cooperation covering the ASEAN-Japan MIDORI Cooperation Plan, where ASEAN member countries including Malaysia have the opportunity to gain exposure to modern Japanese agricultural technology.
Malaysia welcomes this matter and it is in line with the core of the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) which supports modernisation and smart agriculture through international partnership or collaboration, including in the field of research and innovation.
Also during this meeting, Miyashita Ichiro extended an invitation to Mohamad to attend the International Horticultural Exposition in Yokohama in 2027.
In the meantime, Mohamad also extended an invitation to the Japanese side to participate in the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro Tourism Exhibition (MAHA) which will be held on the year 2024.
