Malaysia's Ambassador to Iran, Khairi Omar, hosted a "Tropical Treats" event at the embassy in Tehran, showcasing the country's famed fruits and agricultural sector.

 

The event highlighted the "king of fruits," durian, particularly the sought-after Musang King variety. Ambassador Omar emphasized Malaysia's efforts to expand durian exports, including gaining approval for fresh durians to enter the massive Chinese market.

 

Beyond durian, Malaysia boasts a variety of tropical fruits like pineapples, mangosteens, and rambutans. The event offered guests a taste of these unique offerings, both fresh and incorporated into culinary creations.

 

Building Bridges Through Fruit

 

The ambassador spoke about "Durian Diplomacy," using this beloved fruit to strengthen diplomatic relations and foster cultural exchange.  He highlighted the presence of key Iranian government officials and representatives from the agricultural and trade sectors.

 

Partnership for Growth

 

The event aimed to explore new avenues for agricultural trade cooperation between Malaysia and Iran. Ambassador Omar expressed Malaysia's desire to collaborate with Iranian counterparts to achieve mutual growth.

 

Appreciation for Malaysian Culture

 

The ambassador thanked media and food bloggers for promoting Malaysian culture and cuisine. He also expressed gratitude to his diplomatic colleagues and all attendees for their role in strengthening friendships.

 

The "Tropical Treats" event served as a delicious opportunity to celebrate Malaysian agriculture and explore potential partnerships with Iran.

 

Malaysia is renowned for its rich agricultural products, and our fruit exports are a testament to the quality and acceptance of our produce. In 2023, Malaysia exported approximately 2.43 billion RM worth of tropical fruits, with durians being a significant contributor at 56% of the whole exports.

 

In 2022, Malaysia exported 1,880 metric tons of durians, valued at 57 million Malaysian Ringgit. Although this marked a decrease from previous years, our focus remains on expanding our market reach, particularly with initiatives to export fresh durians to new markets like China in the coming years.