Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu (middle right) and Her Excellency Maria Angela Abrera Ponce (middle left), along with other representatives, pose for a group photo in front of the LPP building, marking the strengthening of agricultural cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines. Credit: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Facebook
Kuala Lumpur, July 19 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) of Malaysia has reinforced its agricultural ties with the Republic of the Philippines. On Wednesday, Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu welcomed a courtesy visit from Her Excellency Maria Angela Abrera Ponce, the Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, at the Tower of the Farmers’ Organization Authority (LPP). The meeting aimed to solidify agricultural cooperation, focusing on food security.
This meeting marked the first since Ambassador Angela began her service in Malaysia in late November 2023. During the visit, she highlighted Malaysia’s position as the Philippines’ largest trading partner in the ASEAN agricultural sector and her government’s mandate to strengthen agricultural collaboration with Malaysia.
Trade data for 2023 indicated that Malaysia’s exports to the Philippines amounted to RM5.41 billion, while imports from the Philippines to Malaysia stood at RM1.28 billion, contributing to a positive trade balance for Malaysia.
Both parties discussed ways to enhance bilateral agricultural relations, particularly in agricultural trade and technical cooperation in sub-sectors such as crops, livestock, and fisheries.
At the end of the meeting, Mohamad invited Angela to the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agro-Tourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2024, scheduled for September 11-22, and extended an invitation for the Philippines to participate in the biennial event.
Also present at the meeting were Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) Datuk Azah Hanim binti Ahmad, Director General of the Department of Agriculture Malaysia Dato’ Nor Sam binti Alwi, and officers from KPKM and its departments and agencies.
- Tns News