Japan Keen To Expand Food Products And Technology In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- Japan is keen to enhance the promotion of its food products in Malaysia and to cooperate in food technology, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), according to its Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Norikazu Suzuki.

The minister said Japan is currently importing large volumes of palm oil from Malaysia while exporting rice, wagyu beef, and other Japanese products to the Southeast Asian nation.

“I hope that we will be able to have exchanges in the food industry going forward so that Malaysian people will be able to enjoy more of Japanese culture and food services,” he told the media during a visit to Jaya Grocer at LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, here on Friday.

According to a statement by Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, Suzuki travelled to Bangladesh and Malaysia from April 28 to May 1 to hold meetings with government officials and conduct site visits to strengthen bilateral relations and expand exports of Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, and food.

On Friday, Suzuki exchanged views with Malaysian companies supplying Japan with urea, a raw material for fertilisers, as well as crude oil and petroleum products.

He also held discussions with local retailers in Malaysia to expand exports of Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products in addition to food.

“I think it is important to provide a stable supply for Japan. Fertiliser prices will surely rise in the future. We will be looking at the impact of this on the farming industry and taking measures to support it,” he said.

-- BERNAMA