The 4th TFNet General Assembly was held at the Best Western Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 20 August. It was held back to back with the International seminar on recent developments in the production, post harvest management and trade of minor tropical fruits, which was held on 18-19 August at the same venue. The General Assembly was attended by 33 delegates from China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, India, Syria, Vietnam, Bangladesh and New Zealand. The Chairman of TFNet, His Excellency Dato’ Mokhtar Ismail, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry chaired the assembly. The assembly discussed about the TFNet progress report, constitutional changes regarding country members, strategic direction and acknowledgement of new members.

Highlights at the General Assembly were:

1. The appointment of new Board of Trustees members for the term: 2009 – 2012

2. Amendments to the constitution which states that new Country members will have to pay a one time registration fee of USD 5000.00.

3. The acknowledgement of Nigeria as a new country member.

TFNet BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2009 – 2012

1. Chairman: His Excellency Dato’ Mokhtar Ismail, Malaysia

2. Vice Chairman: Dr. Yi Ganjun, China

3. 2nd Vice Chairman: Mr. Muawya Jaber Abdul Rahman, Syria

4. Mr. Kaison Chang, FAO, Rome

5. Mr. Poasa Nauluvula, Fiji

6. Dr. Idowu Ademola Adeseye, Nigeria

7. Dr. Hannah Jaenicke, Crops for the Future, Sri Lanka

8. Mr. Md. Roslan Zulkifli, Golden Hope Food and Beverages, Malaysia

9. Mr. Kit Chan, K-Farm, Malaysia

10. Dr. Nguyen Minh Chau, Southern Fruits Research Institute, Vietnam

11. Dr. Sisir Mitra, India

12. Dr. Errol Hewett, New Zealand

13. CEO, TFNet – Ex-officio

Delegates who attended the General Assembly

TFNet Chairman delivering his opening address

The General Assembly in progress

Mr. Muawya Jaber presenting a token to the Chairman