Need To Minimise Impacts, Says Abdullah - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 (Bernama) -- Unprecedented increases in the price of oil and other commodities, especially food items, need to be resolved to minimize their negative impacts on the people, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday.

The Prime Minister said there was therefore a necessity to identify ways and means of managing these problems.

He said vigorous cooperation was much needed in the area of agriculture especially in exploiting to the fullest the potentials for increasing food production.

"I do believe that boosting the trade relations between Malaysia and Namibia and increasing investment in any other cooperative ventures between us will also help," he said at a luncheon in honour of the President of the Republic of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, here Monday.

Abdullah said Malaysia was fully aware that Namibia was embarking upon major economic projects such as developing the Walvis Bay port as a major gateway to the country.

"Malaysian exporters can certainly use Walvis Bay as the gateway not only to Namibia but also to the wider South African Development Community (SADC) market," he said.

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