M'sia seeks MAS help to lower farm goods' freight cost
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
MALAYSIA'S agriculture sector needs the help of its national air carrier to lower freight costs.
Agro-based Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has asked Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to consider a reasonable freight cost for Malaysian agricultural products as the government moves to introduce the goods to a wider international market.
He said a freight cost that was similar to or higher than that for other goods would not help the government's mission.
A prohibitive freight cost was preventing many Malaysian producers of agricultural goods from exporting their products, he told reporters after a talk on "The Agriculture Perspective for the Younger Generation in Malaysia" in Aston yesterday.
Muhyiddin yesterday began a five-day visit to the United Kingdom.
"Freight is an important aspect especially when agricultural products such as vegetables, flowers and fruits are perishable goods.
"Therefore, the producers want to know whether MAS can entertain their request in terms of a better freight cost and frequency of flights so that their products can be marketed regularly overseas," he said.
Muhyiddin said he had raised the matter previously with MAS Chairman Munir Majid but enough attention might not have been given to help Malaysian agricultural products gain a wider international market.
He also said that Malaysian producers must ensure that their products meet the high quality and safety requirements as well as international standards demanded by purchasers overseas.
Bernama
Agro-based Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has asked Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to consider a reasonable freight cost for Malaysian agricultural products as the government moves to introduce the goods to a wider international market.
He said a freight cost that was similar to or higher than that for other goods would not help the government's mission.
A prohibitive freight cost was preventing many Malaysian producers of agricultural goods from exporting their products, he told reporters after a talk on "The Agriculture Perspective for the Younger Generation in Malaysia" in Aston yesterday.
Muhyiddin yesterday began a five-day visit to the United Kingdom.
"Freight is an important aspect especially when agricultural products such as vegetables, flowers and fruits are perishable goods.
"Therefore, the producers want to know whether MAS can entertain their request in terms of a better freight cost and frequency of flights so that their products can be marketed regularly overseas," he said.
Muhyiddin said he had raised the matter previously with MAS Chairman Munir Majid but enough attention might not have been given to help Malaysian agricultural products gain a wider international market.
He also said that Malaysian producers must ensure that their products meet the high quality and safety requirements as well as international standards demanded by purchasers overseas.
Bernama
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