EGYPT TO LEARN M`SIAN EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

By J. Premalatha

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Egypt, famous for its ancient civilisation, is
looking at leveraging at Malaysian experience and expertise in agriculture,
infrastructure development and construction sectors.

"Our atmosphere and weather is different, but we can still learn and share
the experiences from Malaysia," Egyptian Ambassador to Malaysia Hani Abdel Kader
Shash said Tuesday.

The exchange of experience and expertise would benefit both countries in
improving the quality of agriculture products like food, seed and fertilizer, he
said in an exclusive interview with Bernama ahead of the three-day Developing
Eight (D-8) Ministers' Meeting on Food Security beginning here Wednesday.

Besides Egypt and host Malaysia, six other countries attending the meeting
are Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey and Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia, Brunei and Qatar are attending as observers.

He pointed out that big players like Sime Darby and Federal Land
Development Authority (Felda) in Malaysia are well-known in the agriculture
sector, especially palm oil plantations.

Shash said the Egyptian government had set up a research centre under
the Agriculture Ministry to conduct researches to improve the quality of its
seeds, fertilizer and agriculture products.

With a population of about 80 million, Egypt exports fruits, chemical raw
materials and fertilizer to Malaysia.

In construction, Shash said Malaysia was well-known as it had secured mega
projects abroad.

The Petronas Twin Towers is one of Malaysia's landmark that had boosted its
image and prestige worldwide, he added.
-- BERNAMA