PUTRAJAYA: Outstanding fishery issues faced by Malaysia and Thailand have been resolved, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the agriculture ministers of both countries expressed commitment to this.
“They wanted the memorandum of understanding to be effective in a month but we have agreed for it to be effective in a week,” Anwar said at a joint press conference with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul here on Thursday (July 9).
Anutin said they welcomed the earlier concluded meeting between both agriculture ministers to find amicable solutions.
This concerned pending cases of market access for fishery and agricultural products, said Anutin.
Malaysia previously announced tightened import measures on Thai sea bass and five shrimp species effective June 1.
Both Anwar and Anutin had earlier witnessed the memorandum of understanding exchange between both countries' agriculture ministers on agricultural cooperation.
Malaysia was represented by Agriculture and Food Securities Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Sabu while Thailand was represented by its Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
In a statement, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said the MOU provides a comprehensive framework touching on various aspects.
This includes crop, livestock, fisheries, trade facilitation and agricultural products marketing, research and development, capacity development, phytosanitary and sanitary measures, among other agreed points.
“Through this framework, both countries are expected to strengthen communication and streamline mechanisms across both authorities in a more organised, transparent and continuous manner,” it said.
