Speech: DINNER FUNCTION HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, INDONESIA

SPEECH OF

YB MINISTER OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES AND COMMODITIES

AT THE DINNER FUNCTION HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH

THE VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

MARRIOTT HOTEL, PUTRAJAYA

25TH MAY 2006 (THURSDAY), 8.00 P.M.

His Excellency Minister Anton Apriyantono,

Minister of Agriculture, Republic of Indonesia

Members of the Indonesian delegation

Senior Officials of the Government of Malaysia

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening dan Selamat Sejahtera,

Once again, allow me to welcome and thank His Excellency Dr. Anton Apriyantono and his delegation for their official working visit to Malaysia. I would also like to thank all of you who are present tonight for sacrificing your invaluable and precious time to attend this dinner to commemorate the visit.

2. I believe today is historical, particularly for the commodity sector of both Malaysia and Indonesia as we had signed the signing of the long awaited Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Cooperation on Commodities between the two countries. I am confident that the MoU could pave the way for more exciting and meaningful development in the near future for both nations, particularly in further progressing the development of the commodity sector.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. Increased globalisation and trade liberalisation efforts in the world market today necessitates Malaysia and Indonesia, as major producers of commodities, to work together for the development of the commodities sector. In this respect, the MoU that has been formalised today could also serve as a means to discuss and address common issues, such as sustainability, environment and food safety that have emerged as prime concerns for the consumers worldwide. At the same time, I foresee that the MoU could also assist both countries in leveraging on market access opportunities that arise, for example, the potential of palm-based biodiesel as a competitive and efficient source of renewable energy.

4. Today we have also managed to have a roundtable dialogue between Malaysian investors in Indonesia and representatives of both the Governments of Malaysia and Indonesia. Several pertinent issues had been raised by the Malaysian plantation companies and I believe that all those concerns would appropriately be looked into and addressed by both Governments. I genuinely believe the dialogue was beneficial to facilitate more cross-flows of investments between the two countries and should continue to be held from time to time.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. Once again, I am very grateful to His Excellency Dr. Anton Apriyantono and members of his delegation for their visit to Malaysia. I really hope that all of you will enjoy the Malaysian hospitality during your stay in Malaysia. I would also like to thank all of you for your attendance tonight, of which I believe is not so much for the cuisine, but rather to enhance network and strengthen the spirit of Malaysian-Indonesian solidarity.

Terima kasih.

Ministry of Plantations Industry and Commodities

Putrajaya

25 May 2006