09/07/2026 08:01 PM

Malaysia, Thailand Deepen Agricultural Cooperation

BANGKOK, July 9 (Bernama) -- Thailand and Malaysia on Thursday have agreed to strengthen agricultural cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering food security, technology transfer and human resource development. 

The two countries also resolved outstanding market access issues involving shrimp and barramundi (seabass) trade as part of efforts to enhance bilateral agricultural and fisheries cooperation.

The agreements were among the key outcomes of bilateral talks between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya on Thursday.

Thai Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the two leaders witnessed the exchange of the MoU, which covers cooperation in crops, livestock, fisheries, research, technology transfer, human resource development and food security.

She said both governments also tasked their agriculture ministers with expediting efforts to improve market access for agricultural and fisheries products as part of broader efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and food security.

"The agriculture ministers had also resolved outstanding issues involving shrimp and barramundi trade and would expedite the implementation of the agreed measures to address farmers' concerns," she said in a statement on Thursday.

Beyond agriculture, Ratchada said Thailand and Malaysia agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure and security to create greater economic opportunities and improve the livelihoods of people in both countries.

She said both governments also reaffirmed their commitment to achieving US$30 billion in bilateral trade in the near future, while strengthening supply chain cooperation in food security, energy and high-technology industries.

Ratchada said Anutin had directed relevant agencies to swiftly implement the agreements reached during the talks and conclude pending bilateral memoranda of understanding in preparation for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Malaysia in 2027.

Anutin arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Anwar. It is his first bilateral visit to Malaysia since his reappointment in March 2026.

On Friday (July 10), Anwar and Anutin will jointly visit Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, to officiate the opening of a road linking the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Sadao, Thailand.

-- BERNAMA

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