Chile Keen On Enhancing Co-operation With Bernama - Envoy

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Chile's Ambassador to Malaysia Christian Rehren has expressed keenness to strengthen ties between the two countries through media collaboration and exchanges with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama). He said the media could be utilised for the promotion of understanding of each other's culture, society, development and enhancing ties between the two countries. "What the press can do is very relevant, we are a little bit far away, we should look for some ways and means on how Bernama could get a little bit more involved with Chile especially in terms of information," he told Bernama after visiting the news agency's headquarters here on Monday. Rehren also called on the two sides' media personnel to exchange visits to increase their professional experiences. "One Bernama journalist went to Chile last year but that was just an isolated case, we should encourage links with their Chilean counterparts in every sense... so we will take that into account," he said. Rehren also acknowledged Bernama's achievements and said that the country's news agency had met the growing demand for news of the government and all sectors. "Bernama is a very reliable source of information," he said. On another note, Rehren said bilateral trade between Malaysia and Chile was expected to continue growing especially after the Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement (MCFTA) came into force at the beginning of this year. He said the FTA went beyond trade between the two countries and they were confident about the potential of the FTA. "It's not that we'll come with more wines, apples or seafood or Malaysia will export more palm oil... that's not the point, that's part of it," he said. The Chilean Ambassdor said both countries were also working towards a comprehensive agreement, which would include services and investment within two years after the FTA came into force. -- BERNAMA