Mafi targets RM350 million worth of investments in Expo 2020 Dubai

SHAH ALAM - The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) is committed to reach its target to attract RM350 million worth of investments during the Sustainable Agriculture Week in Expo 2020 Dubai which will be held for six days from Feb 21.

The ministry will be hosting and leading the theme at the expo's Malaysia Pavilion, with Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) as the implementing agency.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the ministry was looking forward to achieve the investment target by fostering strong engagement and strategic partnerships with global players, especially with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other middle eastern countries.

This, he said was to further drive sustainable agriculture for the country and at the international level.

“We expect to have 11 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchanges, 50 business leads, as well as participation from 20 Malaysian micro small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and agencies under Mafi during the week,” he said in a statement on Friday.

He said this it was an exciting opportunity for the country to show the world how Malaysia’s best agricultural practices, smart innovations and rich resources contribute to food security and safety, wealth generation, environmental protection, and sustained livelihoods.

The expo, he added would be a great opportunity to improve bilateral ties and trade between Malaysia and the UAE through sustainable agriculture development.

Kiandee said the ministry was set to attract an estimated 2,000 visitors and delegates during the Sustainable Agriculture Week with various programmes including exhibitions, product launches, document exchanges, cooking and product demonstrations, networking sessions, business matching and pocket talks.

The programmes, he said will be based on eight areas that highlight Malaysia’s strengths in sustainable agriculture.

This, included biodiversity to wellness, fruits of the tropical climate and its byproducts, smart urban farming, smart farming solutions, waste-to-wealth, culinary sustainability, cutting-edge agricultural technologies and solutions, as well as investment opportunities for agricultural sustainability.