HANOI, March 19 (Bernama) — The news agencies of Malaysia and Vietnam today inked an agreement to take their cooperation to a new level in further expanding the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Apart from more news exchange between Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and Vietnam News Agency (VNA), both parties agreed to add news photographs, technical expertise and training aspects in their exchange programmes.

BERNAMA Editor-in-Chief Khairdzir Md Yunus and VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang signed the agreement at the VNA headquarters, here.

Khairdzir said BERNAMA and VNA had established cooperation for the exchange of news since 1982 and the last agreement was signed in February 2015, and had expired in January 2020.

“BERNAMA and VNA had continued the cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic despite the expiration of the agreement,” he said during a discussion between two parties before the signing ceremony.

Khairdzir said at present, BERNAMA used about 40 news articles per month from VNA which was established on Sept 15, 1945.

In the future, Khairdzir said BERNAMA which began its operations on May 20, 1968, might include the exchange of infographics and videos in the cooperation.

Vu welcomed the cordial ties between the two agencies and hoped it would benefit both parties.

“We hope this agreement will take our strategic partnership to new heights,” she said through an interpreter.

Apart from newswires, BERNAMA and VNA also provide digital media and television services.

Both agencies also agreed to enhance their cooperation at multilateral news exchange platforms including the Organisation of Asia Pacific News Agencies (OANA).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency