Latest news with #AhmadErwanOthman
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
People-to-people Ties 'glue' Of Malaysia-New Zealand Partnership
From Ahmad Erwan Othman AUCKLAND, July 14 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described people-to-people ties as the 'glue' that binds the long-standing partnership between Malaysia and New Zealand. He noted that thousands of Malaysian students have pursued their studies in New Zealand over the years, and that tourism between the two countries continues to flourish. 'These exchanges are not just heartwarming, they're the glue that holds economic ties together, builds trust, and creates long-term understanding,' he said at the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC) Engagement here this evening. As the current ASEAN Chair, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia invites New Zealand to stand alongside the region in shaping a more human-centred and future-ready ASEAN. 'Let us focus not just on expanding trade, but on shaping a region that is not only open for business but open to change, innovation, and inclusion,' he added. The ANZBC Engagement was jointly organised by the High Commission of Malaysia, ANZBC, and New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is aimed to deepen bilateral economic ties, explore trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen business-to-business networks between ASEAN and New Zealand. Ahmad Zahid arrived here earlier today to begin his five-day working visit to New Zealand.
Barnama
10 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid Highlights Three Priority Areas To Enhance Malaysia-NZ Cooperation
From Ahmad Erwan Othman AUCKLAND, July 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has identified three priority areas for enhanced cooperation with New Zealand, namely sustainability, digital transformation and food security. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said New Zealand, with 87 per cent of its electricity generated from renewable sources, is a leader in the green transition. 'This aligns closely with Malaysia's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,' he said at the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC) Engagement here this evening. On digital transformation, Ahmad Zahid said the potential for synergy between Malaysia's MyDIGITAL agenda and New Zealand's strengths in information and communications technology (ICT), particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), smart cities, cybersecurity and digital trade governance. In the agri-food sector, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Halal Industry Development Council chairman said New Zealand's global reputation for quality and innovation aligns well with Malaysia's capabilities in halal certification and logistics, presenting enormous potential for both economies as ASEAN's middle class expands. However, Ahmad Zahid stressed that economic growth must be inclusive by ensuring that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across ASEAN, including in Malaysia, are not left behind. 'That means improving access to trade finance, digital tools and capacity building,' he said.
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad Zahid Arrives In New Zealand For Five-day Working Visit
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman AUCKLAND, July 14 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived here today to begin his five-day working visit to New Zealand. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, touched down at the Auckland International Airport at about 11.30 am local time (5.30 am Malaysian time) and was received by Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Americas and Asia Group Deputy Secretary Grahame Morton. Also present was MFAT South and Southeast Asia Divisional Manager Joanna Kempkers. In a post on Facebook, Ahmad Zahid described the visit as part of Malaysia's ongoing strategic efforts to strengthen its long-standing ties with New Zealand, which were established in 1957. He said it also reflects the shared commitment of both nations to continue high-level engagements and cooperation. 'I hope this visit will further strengthen our diplomatic relations, broaden strategic collaboration across various sectors and promote Malaysia's national interest on the global stage. 'Insya-Allah, may this mission bring benefits to the people and the country,' he said. During the visit, Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to meet with Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Maori Development Minister Tama Potaka, as well as Agriculture, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay.
Barnama
a day ago
- Politics
- Barnama
DPM Ahmad Zahid To Embark On Working Visit To New Zealand, Focusing On Bilateral Ties
From Ahmad Erwan Othman AUCKLAND, July 13 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be on a five-day working visit to New Zealand starting tomorrow until July 18. The Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki said Ahmad Zahid's visit is part of the government's ongoing commitment to further strengthen bilateral diplomatic relations that have been established for 68 years with New Zealand. The visit, she said, focuses on exploring opportunities for strategic cooperation covering various fields including defence, agriculture, education, halal industry as well as strategic cooperation. 'This visit is expected to further strengthen the long-standing Malaysia-New Zealand bilateral relations across various areas of cooperation. 'It also symbolises the continuation of the highest-level exchange of visits between the two countries, including the working visit by former Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir on May 2 to 4 in 2023,' she said at a press conference here today. Obviously, it includes the continuation of the working visit by former Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, cum Foreign Minister of New Zealand to Malaysia on June 6-9 2024; as well as the official visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Malaysia on Sept 1-3 2024. The Deputy Prime Minister will also be accompanied by a delegation consisting of senior Malaysian government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development and the Prime Minister's Department. Mazita said that among the main contents of Ahmad Zahid's visit are meetings with New Zealand's top leaders on July 16–17 in Wellington.
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
58th AMM: SEANWFZ Committee Meets Ahead Commission Meeting
By Ahmad Erwan Othman and Ahmad Aidil Syukri Hamzah KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The Executive Committee of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission (SEANWFZ EXCOM) convened here on Monday to finalise key preparatory work for the SEANWFZ Commission Meeting to be held tomorrow at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings. Chaired by Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, the session focused on reviewing progress in implementing the SEANWFZ Treaty's Plan of Action. Also discussed were the potential accession of Timor-Leste to the Treaty and the long-standing issue of securing the accession of the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to the Treaty's Protocol. 'Timor-Leste's participation will widen the geographical scope for the Treaty. 'This is one positive aspect from the participation of Timor-Leste as a new member in ASEAN,' he told reporters after the meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The meeting was attended by senior officials from all 10 ASEAN member states, while an official from Timor-Leste participated as an observer. Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is scheduled to chair the SEANWFZ Commission meeting at 3.15 pm tomorrow. The SEANWFZ Treaty, also known as the Bangkok Treaty, was signed in December 1995 in Bangkok by ASEAN member states as a commitment to preserve Southeast Asia as a region free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.
