KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas may positively consider to participate in joint gas exploration at the border areas of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said.

He said this would hinge on an invitation from Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, and if the conditions and terms were favourable.

The matter was discussed when Anifah made a courtesy call on his counterpart, Delcy Rodriguez during his working visit to Venezuela on Aug 26 and 27.

The foreign minister (Anifah) mentioned that the Malaysian state-owned oil and gas company is positively looking at the sharing of experiences and expertise, Wisma Putra said in a statement.

It said both sides conveyed their commitment to expand bilateral collaboration in various areas such as oil palm-based industry, agriculture, oil and gas, infrastructure development, tourism and higher education.

Anifah encouraged greater involvement of the private sector in exploring business opportunities between the two countries.

"The two ministers also agreed on more high level exchange of visits that will build closer rapport and understanding," the statement said.

It said that Malaysia also offered Venezuelan officials to participate in courses conducted under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme and encouraged more students to pursue their higher education in this country. --BERNAMA