By KUNA,
Kuala Lumpur : Malaysia has proposed that wealthy Islamic nations invest in food production in third world countries as a measure to deal with the current world food crisis.
Malaysia’s Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Mustapa Mohamed said that Middle Eastern countries in particular had vast financial resources to venture into such investment.
Speaking to reporters after attending the opening of the Sixth Summit of the Group of Eight Islamic Developing Countries (D-8) here Tuesday, the minister said the proposed investment, which need not take place in D-8 member countries, could ease the food problems currently faced by the whole world.
When asked about the suggestion made by Bangladesh for establishing a D-8 Food Bank, Mustapa said the proposal required detailed study.
“The best thing is to get the private sector to be involved and invest in third world countries that has big potential to increase food production,” he said.
At the D-8 Ministers Level Meeting session Sunday, Adviser to Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Ifthekar Ahmed Chowdhury proposed for the establishment of a Food Bank.
He said that Bangladesh, as a main food producer, was willing to share its experience in dealing with the food crisis.
The D-8, established in 1997, comprises of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey.