KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has received an invitation to explore fresh export avenues for its fishery resources in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
This proposal was discussed during a courtesy visit by Ivory Coast’s Animal Resources and Fisheries Minister, Sidi Tiemoko Toure, to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic) in Putrajaya.
“Toure highlighted the significance of fish as a primary protein source in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, with an average consumption of 25kg per capita annually.
“He expressed hope for Malaysia to increase its fishery exports to Ivory Coast and welcomed collaboration in expert exchange within the fisheries sector,” a statement by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry stated yesterday.
The meeting also addressed potential bilateral cooperation, particularly in fisheries and aquaculture sectors, alongside efforts to improve market access for Malaysian products, including value-added animal products, eggs and animal feed, to be exported to Ivory Coast.
Mohamad also welcomed technical cooperation in research and development, and invited Ivory Coast to participate in the Malaysian Agricultural, Horticultural and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2024, scheduled for September this year, Bernama reported.
Ivory Coast stands as Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner among 54 African countries, with Malaysia’s exports to the country reaching RM527.26mil last year.
Given this, the leaders’ meeting holds significance in exploring avenues to boost bilateral trade, with a focus on increasing Malaysia’s exports of fishery resources, which is poised to elevate Malaysia’s trade value, the statement added.
