Agricultural relations with Malaysia are getting a new impetus

By: STA Date: 2023. 07. 06. 09:30

Hungarian and Malaysian relations should be strengthened at the commercial, plant breeding, educational and scientific levels as well – said István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture, who consulted with Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia.

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

The minister drew attention to the fact that Malaysia is an important partner of Hungary, so we will strive to maintain a fruitful relationship in the future. There is a great distance between the two countries, but our problems are common, for which we must find joint solutions. The minister cited global climate change as an example, which makes safe food supply a central issue.

According to István Nagy, we must work to strengthen economic relations and raise them to the level before the coronavirus epidemic

We also occupy a prominent position in seed production in the world, as our country has one of the largest gene banks, through which we can provide practical answers to the challenges posed by the changing climate. There are further opportunities in the export of our breeding animals and finished products, such as pork, beef or rabbit meat. After today’s meeting, the work of experts and regionalization will play an important role in this cooperation, he added.

The head of the department also spoke about the fact that several Malay students are studying at the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences with scholarships

They are the guarantee that our political and economic relations between the two countries will be successful. These students know each other’s culture and operations, and through friendships our economies will be more productive. But not only the students, but also in the exchange of researchers, we need to move forward, since we need joint responses to the challenges posed by extreme weather. The safety of the food supply is a key issue, which is why our country created a new food strategy, which goes hand in hand with a high degree of modernization and digitalization. We use precision technologies for safe food, and we are ready to share our experience – stressed István Nagy.

The minister underlined that it is necessary to work together in order to multiply the export and import between the two countries

Hungary can be a gateway for Malaysia, through which they can deliver their products to EU markets. In the framework of the meeting, the heads of ministries also signed a letter of intent on cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture.