PUTRAJAYA: Two of the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia will further strengthen the areas of human resources and educational in both countries.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said the ministry will discuss in further detail the MOUs which will facilitate the exchange of expertise between the two countries.
“The MOU is different from the ones that I had signed before. The previous MOUs pertained to the recruitment and employment of foreign workers.
“But with this MOU, we can exchange expertise from various sectors with Saudi Arabia. In other words, their experts will come to us and our experts will go to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Earlier, Richard and Saudi Arabian Labour and Social Development Minister Dr Ali Nassir Al Ghafies had inked the MoU on labour and human resources.
This was followed by the MoU on science and education, which was signed by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Ali Nassir.
Idris said the MoU will intensify scientific and educational cooperation between Malaysian and Saudi Arabian higher learning institutions.
“Lecturers and students from both countries will collaborate in scientific research.
“With this agreement, we expect more Saudi students to pursue their studies in Malaysia and vice versa,” he said.
Other MoUs included one on economic cooperation, signed by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Saudi Arabian state minister Dr Ibrahim Al Assaf.
Bernama general-manager Zulkefli Salleh and Saudi Press Agency president Abdullah Fahad Al Hussein signed the MoU on news exchange cooperation.
The MoUs were witnessed by Saudi Arabian ruler King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, today.