SERDANG, Sept 11 — The Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (Maha) 2024, which kicked off today, saw the signing of 13 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) involving a total value of RM21.26 million.
Under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, this strategic cooperation is aimed at strengthening the capacity of local small and medium enterprises to explore the export market of agrofood-based products.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup witnessed the MOU signing ceremony at the Maha 2024 event in the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang this evening.
In a press conference, Arthur said the MOU signing ceremony today mostly involved players in the pineapple production industry.
“We know the pineapple market has the potential to bring in substantial income, so our country is doubling efforts to further increase the production of high-quality pineapples to meet the international market,” he said.
Arthur said Malaysia has a big potential of becoming a quality pineapple producer based on several attractive factors and his ministry set a target of 1,000 pineapple containers to be exported this year.
“Today is only the first day (of Maha 2024) and we have signed 13 MOUs. I am confident that within the 12 days of this Maha, we can sign and attract more investors and buyers for our country’s agricultural and agrofood products, ” he said.
Arthur said there will be more MOU signing ceremonies for other agricultural sectors and subsectors, to be witnessed either by him or minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, throughout Maha 2024.
He added that he was satisfied with the encouraging attendance of visitors on the first day of Maha 2024, and is optimistic its target of three million visitors could be reached this time, in conjunction with Maha’s 100th centennial.
The 12-day Maha 2024, which ends September 22, among other things will also emphasise the elements that elevate Maha to the international level with the involvement of various countries through the “Maha Go Global” segment.
— Bernama