MALAYSIA SEEKING COLLABORATION IN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR WITH BOSNIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (June 30,2008) - Malaysia and Bosnia need to find new approaches in the agricultural sector as a way out to the current global food crisis, the Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today.

He said both countries could identify each other’s strengths in the agricultural sector and collaborate in the development of the agro-based industry.

“We must certainly pay attention to the current global crisis concerning food including the big increases in the price of food items,” he said in his opening remarks at the Malaysia-Bosnia delegation meeting at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office.

The Bosnian side was led by the Bosnian President Dr Haris Silajdžić. Also present were members of the Bosnian State Presidency Nebojša Radmanović and Zeljko Komšić.

The Bosnian President Dr Haris Silajdžić, who arrived in Malaysia on Saturday was given a state welcome at the parliament square in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

He was met on arrival by the Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The national anthems of both countries were then played to the firing of a 21-gun salute before President Silajdžić inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 108 members of the Malaysian Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Norhisham Kamar.

The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, cabinet ministers and heads of departments as well as foreign dignitaries were also present at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, President Silajdžić, who is accompanied by the Bosnian senior government officials and leaders from the country, left for Putrajaya for a meeting with Abdullah and to attend a bilateral meeting between Malaysia and Bosnia.

Tonight, the entourage would be feted to a state banquet at the Istana Negara.

The Bosnian President Dr Haris Silajdžić and the Bosnian State Presidency Members Nebojša Radmanović and Željko Komšić are in an official visit Malaysia from June 29 until July 3, 2008.

The Bosnian President Dr Haris Silajdžić will also meet with the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Yang Di Pertuan Agong XIII (Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin).

The visit protocol envisages series of bilateral meeting between the Bosnian delegation and the Malaysian delegation and the meeting between the Bosnian Presidency members and Malaysian businessmen.

The Bosnian Presidency Members, during their visit to Malaysia are scheduled to visit the International Islamic University, the Institute of Economic Planning and the Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations and meet the Bosnian students receiving their education in Malaysia.
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