ASEAN member states have agreed to cooperate and prioritise helping each other tackle food-related issues, including the rice shortage, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.

He said the decision was conveyed at the 45th Asean Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (Amaf) Meeting, which began on Oct 2 and ended today.

“The Asean collaboration means if we face rice issues, member countries will give priority to (each other) first. Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand have said they will consider any new requests for additional imports.

“It’s the same in our relationships with China. Earlier, China’s Customs authorities wanted to find ways to facilitate trade between Asean and China. Likewise with Japan and South Korea,” he said when met after meetings with Cambodia and China in conjunction with the Amaf today.

Mohamad said the five-day Amaf went smoothly, and thanked all parties who helped make it a success.

Malaysia hosted the Amaf to strengthen Asean’s position as a global food basket, in addition to driving closer cooperation among member states to preserve food security in the region.

It was attended by Asean member countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as China, Japan and South Korea. – Bernama, October 6, 2023.