The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Bernama and Bahrain News Agency (BNA) today would enhanced diplomatic ties forged 40 years ago between the two countries, said Malaysian Ambassador to Bahrain Datuk Ahmad Shahizan Abd Samad.
"With this collaboration, Bernama and BNA could become a bridge for
further cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and
education. The exchange of news and information will be of benefit to
both countries," he told Bernama after witnessing the signing ceremony on the second and last day of the 37th Executive Board Meeting of the Organisation of Asia-Pacific News
Agencies (OANA) hosted by BNA in Manama.
The MoU was signed by Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh and BNA acting director-general Mohannad Suleiman Al-Noaimi.
Other board members from AAP (Australia), Azertac (Azerbaijan), Xinhua (China), PTI (India), IRNA (Iran), Kyodo News (Japan), Montsame (Mongolia), Yonhap (South Korea), ITAR-TASS (Russia), Anadolu Agency (Turkey), WAM (United Arab Emirates) and VNA (Vietnam) also attended the ceremony.
Congratulating Bernama for forging the ties, Ahmad Shahizan said the collaboration would add value to the diplomatic ties initiated by second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in 1974 and would open doors of news and information exchange.
Owing to lack of information, the close diplomatic ties have not been translated into broader economic and social cooperation, he said.
The MoU was signed by Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh and BNA acting director-general Mohannad Suleiman Al-Noaimi.
Other board members from AAP (Australia), Azertac (Azerbaijan), Xinhua (China), PTI (India), IRNA (Iran), Kyodo News (Japan), Montsame (Mongolia), Yonhap (South Korea), ITAR-TASS (Russia), Anadolu Agency (Turkey), WAM (United Arab Emirates) and VNA (Vietnam) also attended the ceremony.
Congratulating Bernama for forging the ties, Ahmad Shahizan said the collaboration would add value to the diplomatic ties initiated by second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in 1974 and would open doors of news and information exchange.
Owing to lack of information, the close diplomatic ties have not been translated into broader economic and social cooperation, he said.
Total trade between the two countries last year amounted to only
USD250 million in favour of Bahrain through gas and petroleum products
against Malaysia's electrical and electronic products.
Ahmad Shahizan said Malaysia could capitalise on Bahrain as a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) markets.
"Bahrain, which holds Malaysia in high regard, is a developed and liberal country that welcomes Malaysian entrepreneurs to do business. Currently, there are 450 Malaysian professionals (their families) working and providing expertise to the Bahraini government," he added.
He said likewise, Bahrain looked at Malaysia as a gateway to the Asean region and its investors had ample information on Malaysia.
The MoU provides for, among others, exchange of news and information in the form of news items, audio visual and photos between Bernama and BNA to be disseminated through existing networks as well as exchange of journalists.
Zulkefli said the audio visual exchange through BernamaTV would enable Bahraini people to learn about Malaysia, including its culture, tourism products, higher education opportunities, IT development, and science and technology as well as trade and economy.
"The exchange of exclusive television programmes would enable BernamaTV to grow rapidly abroad while more Bernama news items and photos would be lifted by Bahraini mass media, thus enhancing Malaysia's image in Bahrain," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohannad said BNA was very keen to learn from Bernama which he regarded as one of the most complete national news agency with its news wires, photo, television channel and radio station, and other services.
"This MoU provides us with great opportunity to tap from Bernama's experience, including in its online service," he said.
Ahmad Shahizan said Malaysia could capitalise on Bahrain as a gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) markets.
"Bahrain, which holds Malaysia in high regard, is a developed and liberal country that welcomes Malaysian entrepreneurs to do business. Currently, there are 450 Malaysian professionals (their families) working and providing expertise to the Bahraini government," he added.
He said likewise, Bahrain looked at Malaysia as a gateway to the Asean region and its investors had ample information on Malaysia.
The MoU provides for, among others, exchange of news and information in the form of news items, audio visual and photos between Bernama and BNA to be disseminated through existing networks as well as exchange of journalists.
Zulkefli said the audio visual exchange through BernamaTV would enable Bahraini people to learn about Malaysia, including its culture, tourism products, higher education opportunities, IT development, and science and technology as well as trade and economy.
"The exchange of exclusive television programmes would enable BernamaTV to grow rapidly abroad while more Bernama news items and photos would be lifted by Bahraini mass media, thus enhancing Malaysia's image in Bahrain," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohannad said BNA was very keen to learn from Bernama which he regarded as one of the most complete national news agency with its news wires, photo, television channel and radio station, and other services.
"This MoU provides us with great opportunity to tap from Bernama's experience, including in its online service," he said.
He noted that
Bahrain and Malaysia's bilateral ties would see a quantum leap with
better understanding as a result of more news and information exchange.
-- BERNAMA
-- BERNAMA
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