Rodriguez Parrilla, who is making his first visit to Malaysia, held talks with his counterpart Mohamad Hasan on Thursday, focused on seeking ways to improve economic collaboration and bilateral trade, as well as in the areas of health, education and tourism.
For this Southeast Asian nation, Cuba represents an important potential market for rubber and palm oil, as well as the potential to boost cooperation in the food processing sector, according to an official note reviewed by the Bernama news agency.
Cuba’s participation in Malaysia’s Technical Cooperation Program reflects the close collaboration between the two countries, said the press release.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, it was announced that Malaysia will offer Cuba scholarships to study for a master’s degree, as well as the possibility of developing halal products on the island.
During the talks, Mohamad Hasan also expressed his country’s interest in learning about Cuba’s experience in the field of biomedicine, a sector of growing importance today.
He also referred to the importance of strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Cuba and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), whose rotating presidency Malaysia holds this year. In September 2020, the 53rd Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held by videoconference and under the chairmanship of Vietnam, approved Cuba’s accession to the regional bloc’s Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
Rodriguez Parrilla and Mohamad Hasan also witnessed here today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Cuba’s Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina.
Executive Director of the Malaysian news agency, Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, said the agreement is in line with the growing bilateral ties between Malaysia and Cuba in various sectors, including technology and economy.
As part of the program of activities of the visit, which will last until the 15th, the Cuban foreign minister will hold a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and with the parliamentary committees on International Relations and International Trade, among others.
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