M'sia, Ecuador Have Potential To Expand Trade

KANGAR (Perlis, Malaysia), July 3 (Bernama) - The Crown Prince of the Malaysian state of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail is confident that Malaysia and Ecuador have the potential to expand trade between the two countries. He said the Ecuador-Malaysia trade is valued at about US$15 million a year currently and there is a possibility of increasing this figure. "In addition, both countries are members of the Non Alligned Movement and it is an excellent platform to boost their bilateral relationship," he said when officiating the Ecuador Photo Exhibition here Monday night. The exhibition, themed "Son of the Sacred Waterfall" was jointly organised by University of Malaysia, Perlis (UniMAP), Perlis Public Library Corporation, Tuanku Syed Putra Foundation and the Embassy of Ecuador. Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who also UniMAP Chancellor, said there is a wide range of products that are available for export at present and hence there is a diversified market for Malaysian products. "Besides exporting merchandise, there's a wide scope for service providers to export their expertise and 'know how' in construction, professional services, logistics, information and communications technology, power generation, oil and gas in numerous development projects that have been identified by countries in Latin America," he added. The Crown Prince hoped academicians and researchers at UniMAP would conduct more valuable research in prospective areas that could be extended to Ecuador. Besides crude oil, Ecuador is the biggest exporter of bananas and shrimps, he said. "As an educational institution based on engineering and agrotech, it is fitting for UniMAP in its internationalisation programme to lend a hand in enhancing technology in banana and shrimp production in the country," said Tuanku Syed Faizuddin. Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Ecuador to Malaysia, Lourdes Puma Puma said the exhibition was the first held outside Kuala Lumpur. She hoped the week-long exhibition will benefit the people of Perlis and give them the opportunity to learn more about Ecuador. Also present at the event were Crown Princess of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil and Perlis Chief Minister Dr Md Isa Sabu. -- BERNAMA