Malaysia, Laos to establish joint committee on STI, ink MoU on STI

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Laos will establish a joint committee on science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation to determine priority areas, plan, coordinate and monitor bilateral cooperation in science and technology, as well as consider proposed cooperation.
"Both countries are ready to start cooperation and collaboration in STI related fields especially in the areas of biotechnology, standards development and cybersecurity," the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) said in a statement today.
This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on STI between both countries, which was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Laos Prime Minister Dr Thongloun Sisoulith at Perdana Putra here today in conjunction with the latter's inaugural official visit to Malaysia.
The MoU was signed by Malaysia’s Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Laos Science and and Technology Minister Prof Boviengkham Vongdara.
Mosti said the MoU provided for knowledge sharing and expertise as well as facilitate scientific and technological capabilities for the purpose of advancing the economies of both countries.
"Both countries will also support the participation of their public and private sectors including universities, institutions, societies and organisations in joint collaboration projects," it said.
Under the Asean Economic Community (AEC), it said Asean member countries were working towards the goal of making member countries more economically integrated, sustainable and competitive in the global economy.
“Therefore, Malaysia's efforts in signing an MoU in the field of STI with Laos will demonstrate Malaysia’s high commitment in supporting the AEC agenda,” it said.
Mosti said Madius and Prof Boviengkham had agreed to sign the MoU during a bilateral session on the sidelines of the 16th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Science & Technology (AMMST-16) in Vientiane in 2015.
Presently, Malaysia and Laos have an umbrella agreement on Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation signed on Dec 8, 1992 in Kuala Lumpur under the respective foreign ministries, it said. — Bernama