Malaysia Explores New Agricultural Partnerships with USDA During Washington Visit

Putrajaya, January 22: Datuk Seri Isham bin Ishak, Chief Secretary of Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), paid a courtesy visit to Ms. Michelle Bekkering, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), on January 20, during his official working visit to the United States from January 17 to 24, 2026.

The meeting in Washington, D.C., is part of an ongoing series of high-level discussions between KPKM and USDA, aimed at strengthening technical cooperation and building mutual trust in ensuring food safety and facilitating smooth trade of agricultural products between Malaysia and the U.S., particularly following the signing of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) on October 26, 2025.

During the discussions, Datuk Seri Isham explored opportunities for new market access for Malaysian products and potential strategic collaborations in agricultural modernization, with a focus on boosting productivity, enhancing food security, and addressing environmental sustainability challenges.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Datuk Seri Isham extended an invitation to the U.S. agricultural industry to participate in the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism (MAHA) 2026 exhibition, scheduled from August 28 to September 6, under the theme “Creating Value for Food Security.”

Agricultural trade between Malaysia and the U.S. reached RM14.68 billion from January to September 2025, highlighting the United States as a key strategic partner for Malaysia in the global food supply chain.

The Malaysian delegation was accompanied by Ms. Siti Salwahanim, Secretary of the International Division of KPKM; officials from the Malaysian Embassy; and officers from the Department of Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture Malaysia.