The MaHau BasinManagement Committee [MBMC], an inter agency committee comprising various government departments, agencies and institutions of higher learning signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Harvard UniversityHerbaria [HUH]of Massachusetts, USA on July 9, 2002 at the 3" FloorConference Room, Wisma Innoprise. Under the MoU, both parties have agreed to pursue a ,. relationship to ensure mutually beneficial collaboration in the study and conservation of the Maliau flora and in particular to increase knowledge of Maliau flora; enhance local research capacity, and promote research by Harvard's work together to ensure that access to plant material is in accordance with all relevant state and federal laws and regulations besides ernational conventions that any benefits arising from :l ch access are share fairly and equitably. The MaHau BasinConservation area, which isconsidered as one of the most important protected areas for biodiversity conservation in Malaysia is managed by Yayasan Sabah through Rakyat Berjaya Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned company of Innoprise Corporation Sdn. Bhd [an investment arm of Yayasan Sabah] on behalf of theMBMC. In the signing ceremony, MBMC was represented by its Chairman who is also the Director of State Forestry Department, Daniel Khiong and a Member of MBMC, Patricia Regis,while HUHwas represented by its Director, Prof. Donald H. Pfisterand the Chief Technical Advisor of YS-DANCED(Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development)/ DANIDA (Danish International Development Assistance) for the management of Maliau Basin Conservation Area Project. Hans Skotte Moeller. Ministerof Finance, Datuk Haji Musa HajiAman witnessed the signing ceremony.