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The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
New Zealand seeks halal industry and trade partnership with Malaysia
WELLINGTON: New Zealand has shown strong interest in deepening collaboration with Malaysia, particularly in the halal industry and regional trade. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi shared that New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade, and Investment, Todd McClay, affirmed this commitment during their bilateral meeting. 'The New Zealand government aims to be a strategic partner to Malaysia, not only in halal certification but also by leveraging Malaysia as a gateway to the ASEAN market, which has a population exceeding 600 million,' Ahmad Zahid told reporters. The discussions followed Ahmad Zahid's visit to New Zealand's National Crisis Management Centre (Beehive Bunker), a key facility for disaster and emergency response. McClay also expressed openness to importing Malaysian agricultural products, including tropical fruits like pineapples. Malaysian firms were further encouraged to explore investment opportunities in New Zealand's construction sector. Ahmad Zahid highlighted that the meeting resulted in a strategic agreement to expand bilateral trade, with New Zealand actively participating in regional platforms such as the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). He expressed optimism that Malaysia-New Zealand relations would serve as a model for Indo-Pacific cooperation, benefiting both nations. Separately, during a gathering with the Malaysian diaspora in Wellington, Ahmad Zahid announced a NZ$100,000 (RM251,000) allocation to Rumah Malaysia to support National Day celebrations. The funding aims to ease event preparations while acknowledging the patriotism of Malaysians abroad. - Bernama
Asahi Shimbun
25-06-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
China can maintain high growth and transition to consumer-led economy, premier Li says
Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at the ASEAN - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - China Economic Forum official dinner on the sidelines of the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on May 27. (Pool via REUTERS) TIANJIN, China--China's Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday he was confident the world's No.2 economy could maintain a 'relatively rapid' growth rate as it transitions from a manufacturing-led model to a consumer-driven one, a shift analysts say is key to securing its future. Li's keynote speech, delivered at a World Economic Forum meeting in Tianjin, comes as Chinese officials seek to cushion the economic damage caused by the trade war with the United States through policy support - a particularly daunting challenge for authorities grappling with the pressing need to undertake painful structural reforms. Most analysts believe China's $19 trillion economy faces two broad paths: it can sustain relatively high, albeit slowing, growth driven by strong exports - a trend likely to fade as trade tensions with the West escalate - or it can endure several years of slower growth while implementing reforms aimed at unlocking longer-term gains through its vast consumer market. But China's second-ranking official told delegates he was optimistic that Beijing could pull off both. 'We are confident in our ability to maintain a relatively rapid growth rate for China's economy,' Li said. 'China's economy showed steady improvement in the second quarter,' he added. 'Regardless of how the international environment evolves, China's economy has consistently maintained a strong momentum for growth.' Beijing has set an ambitious 2025 growth target of 'around 5%', although most analysts expect China will struggle to keep expanding at those rates in the coming years if a lasting truce cannot be secured with Washington. Oxford Economics expects average annual GDP growth this decade to halve from the 1999-2019 average to 4.5% and slow to 3% in the decade after. Economists say more policy support for households could ease the transition to consumption-led growth, but the shift remains politically sensitive for the ruling Communist Party, which has long tied its legitimacy to high growth - a key reason why policymakers have delayed seriously pursuing it for over a decade. Household consumption has remained at around 39% of GDP over the past two decades, according to analysts at Rhodium Group, a China-focused U.S. think tank, far below averages in OECD economies of 54%. On Tuesday, China released guidelines aimed at using financial tools to boost consumption, including pledges to support employment and raise household incomes. The International Monetary Fund last year said deeper reforms are needed to convert China's economy to one led by consumption, including pension reforms, and erecting a social safety net to reduce the need for massive precautionary savings. 'We aim to help China transition from a major manufacturing power to a colossal consumer market,' Li said. 'This will open up vast and untapped markets for businesses from many countries.'
Nikkei Asia
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Moral clarity or strategic paralysis? ASEAN is caught in Gaza dilemma
Imran K halid is a Karachi-based geostrategic analyst and freelance writer. When Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged closer ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) coordination on June 7 to help halt Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza, it was more than just diplomatic rhetoric -- it was a clarion call for collective regional conscience. Beneath the rhetoric, however, lies a rather confused regional bloc torn between competing instincts: solidarity versus strategy, moral posture versus economic pragmatism.
Barnama
05-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
PM Expresses Appreciation, Applauds Successful Organisation Of LIMA'25, ASEAN Summits
GENERAL PUTRAJAYA, June 5 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all parties involved in the successful organisation of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25) and the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits last month. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also MADANI Government spokesperson, said Anwar conveyed the appreciation message during today's Cabinet meeting, describing both events as historic milestones for Malaysia. 'The Prime Minister deeply values the efforts of all personnel and teams involved in organising LIMA'25 in Langkawi, as well as the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, at the end of May. 'Most heads of state and government leaders expressed their satisfaction with the warm hospitality and thorough preparations by Malaysia as the host,' Fahmi said at his weekly press conference. Fahmi said that the Prime Minister is currently considering appropriate forms of recognition to honour the dedication and commitment shown by all parties involved, with a formal announcement to be made in due course. 'Insya-Allah, several options are being considered, and we leave it to the Prime Minister to make the official announcement,' he said. LIMA'25 in Langkawi gathered 860 exhibitors from 24 countries, comprising 426 international and 434 local companies. Themed 'Today's Innovation, Tomorrow's Achievements', this year's edition was the largest maritime and aerospace exhibition in Southeast Asia since LIMA's inception in 1991. In Kuala Lumpur, apart from the 46th ASEAN Summit, two high-level meetings were also successfully held last month, namely the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
Borneo Post
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Malaysia's leadership shines at ASEAN Summit with key milestones and global partnership
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is seen alongside ASEAN, Gulf, and Chinese leaders during the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): Undoubtedly, the ASEAN Summit held in the capital earlier this week concluded on a high note, marking a significant moment for regional diplomacy and Malaysia's leadership on the Southeast Asian stage. Several key milestones were achieved at the meeting, which was attended by leaders from all ten ASEAN member states and key dialogue partners. One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the formal announcement that Timor-Leste will become a full member of ASEAN by October 2025. Membership in ASEAN is never an easy path for any country, as the regional bloc works on a consensus basis. All it takes is for a member country to oppose the new entrant, and it goes out the window. There have been some anxious moments for the youngest Asian nation, which has just a 1.5 million population, with one Timor Leste diplomat joking that 'going to heaven is easier than joining ASEAN.' Resource-rich Timor-Leste occupies the eastern part of the island of Timor, at the far eastern tip of the Indonesian archipelago. But with its biggest supporter, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, pushing for its entrance into ASEAN, there were plenty of behind-the-scenes persuasions to ensure a consensus was met. After years of preparation and observer participation, Timor-Leste's accession was unanimously endorsed. The Prime Minister described the decision as 'historic and deeply symbolic,' noting that it represents ASEAN's commitment to inclusivity and support for emerging democracies in the region. Malaysia has been providing training for the country's budding diplomats at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR). The IDFR also organised a specialised programme for over 50 government officials in support of Timor-Leste's journey toward ASEAN membership. In addition, two key high-level meetings – the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit – concluded successfully on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, which was attended by China's Premier Li Qiang, is unprecedented as this is the first of its kind, reflecting Malaysia's push for greater economic cooperation. Against the backdrop of crippling tariffs and rising economic uncertainties, the Al Jazeera described the meeting as 'alternative centres of global power in full display with the GCC and China attending the ASEAN summit for the group's inaugural trilateral meeting.'' The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Both engagements reflected ASEAN's increasing global relevance and its strategy of balanced engagement. For Anwar, the summit was not only a diplomatic success but a personal milestone that underscored his growing influence in regional affairs. The successful hosting of the summit was a defining moment in his premiership as the event offered a platform to showcase his commitment to multilateralism, inclusive development, and principled diplomacy. He was able to forge economic consensus in rallying member states around the ASEAN Digital Trade Framework Agreement (ADTFA), demonstrating his ability to bridge diverse economic interests. He successfully aligned Malaysia's digital economy goals with broader ASEAN ambitions. Some have asked why the Palestine issue was brought up at a forum which should emphasise only regional economic operation, but the point is that ASEAN needs to be a voice that has to be taken seriously by the international community. Anwar used the summit to push for a stronger ASEAN position on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. His passionate advocacy led to a joint ASEAN statement urging an immediate ceasefire and calling for greater humanitarian access – a rare unified stance on a sensitive international issue. Anwar also convened a special session on sustainable energy, bringing together ministers and private sector leaders to discuss accelerating the energy transition. His proposal for a regional ASEAN Green Finance Initiative gained traction, with several member states agreeing to explore joint green bond issuances. Kudos to the Foreign Ministry for elevating the Malaysian diplomatic status with its smooth and well-organised hosting of the summit. It certainly has Malaysia's reputation as a capable and constructive regional player. Anwar's emphasis on dialogue, inclusivity, and regional solidarity certainly resonated with both ASEAN leaders and external partners. But the job for Malaysia's ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', isn't fully done yet. Three major events are coming up with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (AMM PMC) in July, and the ASEAN Economic Ministers meeting in September. The grand finale is from Oct 24-26, where the 47th Summit will be held and attended by its dialogue partners. ASEAN dialogue partners are Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. – Bernama Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, a veteran journalist, is the chairman of BERNAMA, the national news agency. anwar ibrahim Asean Summit diplomacy lead leadership
