Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and partner Dr Richard Davies, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. - BERNAMA
Malaysia-NZ bilateral ties now stronger than ever - Agong
Bernama
Oktober 2, 2023 16:40 MYT
Malaysia-NZ bilateral ties now stronger than ever - Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro and partner Dr Richard Davies, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. - BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said bilateral ties between Malaysia and New Zealand are now stronger than ever, and this is mainly because they understand each other's economic needs and sensitivities.
His Majesty said the strong ties were evident from the visits made by leaders from both countries since last year.
"Malaysia's Foreign Minister and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry have visited New Zealand this year, while we hosted Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta in August last year.
"This exchange of visits has paved the way for closer cooperation related to the economic and halal sectors, as well as the empowerment of indigenous communities.
"It is timely indeed that our multi-faceted cooperation reached a historic milestone with the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in May 2023," His Majesty said at a state banquet in honour of the Governor-General of New Zealand, Dame Cindy Kiro, and her delegation at Istana Negara here today.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was also present.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said he was pleased to note that Malaysia and New Zealand had enjoyed robust growth in trade relations, and in 2022 New Zealand remained among Malaysia's top three trading partners in the Pacific region.
"Meanwhile, Malaysia is New Zealand's top three trading partner among ASEAN countries," His Majesty said.
His Majesty said the bilateral relations covered various sectors, ranging from people-to-people, education and economic fields.
For example, His Majesty said, New Zealand is an important partner of Malaysia in higher education, with over 800 Malaysian students currently pursuing their studies in New Zealand in various fields.
Al-Sultan Abdullah also said Malaysia would continue to extend a warm welcome to all visitors from New Zealand.
His Majesty said more than 15,000 tourists from New Zealand visited Malaysia in 2022, and he hoped this number would continue to increase to reach the pre-COVID level which averaged 56,000 per year.
"We hope more Malaysian students will be given the opportunity to study in New Zealand in the near future," His Majesty said.
Al-Sultan Abdullah said he was elated by the state visit by Kiro, describing it as a sign of the existing close ties between the two countries.
"It is hoped that this state visit will further strengthen the friendship and bilateral ties between Malaysia and New Zealand," His Majesty said.
This is Kiro's maiden visit to Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region after assuming office on Oct 21, 2021.
New Zealand is Malaysia's second largest trading partner in the Pacific region, with total trade between the two nations reaching RM6.32 billion (US$1.42 billion) as of June this year, an increase of 15.3 per cent from RM5.48 billion (US$1.27 billion) recorded in the corresponding period in 2022.
-- BERNAMA
PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, who is here on a four-day state visit. - BERNAMA
New Zealand governor-general and delegation meet PM
Bernama
Oktober 2, 2023 18:33 MYT
New Zealand governor-general and delegation meet PM
PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, who is here on a four-day state visit. - BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR: The governor-general of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro who arrived in Malaysia on Sunday for a four-day state visit at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, here today.
The Prime Minister who arrived at the hotel at about 2.40pm spent about 30 minutes with Kiro who was accompanied by her husband Dr Richard Davies.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who is also minister-in-attendance, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Foreign Ministry's chief secretary Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin as well as Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki.
The New Zealand delegation in attendance comprised the New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia Pam Chong Dunn and her deputy Sharmila Bernau.
This is Kiro's maiden visit to Malaysia and the South-East Asian region since assuming office on Oct 21, 2021.
The last state visit by a governor-general of New Zealand was by Dame Patsy Reddy on Dec 5-8, 2017.
New Zealand is the second biggest trading partner for Malaysia in the Pacific region with total trade between the two nations recorded at RM6.32bil (US$1.42bil) as of June this year, an increase of 15.3% from RM5.48 billion (US$1.27 bil) recorded in the corresponding period in 2022.
-- BERNAMA
