Latest news with #AhmadZahid
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia set to be halal hub for NZ products
WELLINGTON: Malaysia is poised to be a hub for halal products from New Zealand to enter the Asean market, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The Deputy Prime Minister said this comes after two organisations in New Zealand, which have obtained recognition from the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), expressed interest in using Malaysia as a springboard to widen their export market. 'I have given them the opportunity to use Malaysia as a hub for the distribution of halal products from New Zealand to Asean nations,' he said after attending the Malaysia-New Zealand Halal Forum here yesterday. Ahmad Zahid said he had also proposed to halal industry players from New Zealand to attend the Malaysia International Halal Showcase 2025, which will be held in September in Kuala Lumpur. 'An announcement will be made during the event on joint efforts to set up the Asean Halal Council, comprising representation from Asean and Asean Plus. 'We invited the bodies that have obtained Jakim recognition to be part of the council,' he added. Ahmad Zahid said the goal of the council is to standardise halal certification among Asean nations as well as those in the surrounding region. 'This will be brought up as an agenda during the Asean Summit this October,' he added. Ahmad Zahid also said there is talk among several countries under the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to reactivate the dormant World Halal Council to include both Muslim and non-Muslim majority nations involved in halal products. He said this is crucial as the global halal market is expected to grow from the current US$1.3 trillion (RM5.5 trillion) annually to US$3.7 trillion (RM14.3 trillion) in 2030. 'The market is expected to grow to US$5 trillion (RM21.2 trillion) by 2050. 'Malaysia intends to tap 5% of this market,' he added. During the forum earlier, New Zealand's Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard said Malaysia is a significant market for premium halal meat products, with exports of more than NZ$60mil (RM151mil). 'Malaysia is facilitating the approval of several New Zealand halal meat premises seeking first-time access to this market, which is crucial to growing exports,' he said. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid and Hoggard witnessed the exchange of letters of intent between Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the University of Canterbury. The partnership aims to strengthen academic and research collaboration, including student and staff mobility.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
New Zealand seeks ASEAN Halal Council membership via Malaysia
WELLINGTON: New Zealand has formally expressed interest in becoming an associate member of the ASEAN Halal Council, marking a strategic move to deepen halal industry collaboration with Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the development during his five-day working visit to New Zealand. The proposal was discussed in meetings with New Zealand officials and the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. Ahmad Zahid, who chairs the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council, highlighted the mutual benefits of this partnership. 'New Zealand's participation will enhance halal standard alignment and expand market opportunities for certified products,' he said. A key outcome of the talks includes New Zealand's agreement to leverage Malaysia as a distribution hub for its halal products in ASEAN and traditional markets. 'Malaysia's established trade networks position us as an ideal gateway,' Ahmad Zahid added. New Zealand has also committed to participating in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) in September, joining business matching sessions with Malaysian and international industry players. The visit, attended by Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki, emphasized strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investment, and halal sector growth. - Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
New Zealand seeks associate membership in ASEAN Halal Council
NEW ZEALAND has expressed its interest in joining the ASEAN Halal Council as an associate member, signalling a strong commitment to strengthening halal cooperation with Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal was raised during several meetings with New Zealand government officials and members of the Malaysian diaspora in Auckland and Wellington. 'This is a positive development that opens wider avenues for collaboration within the halal ecosystem—not only between our two nations but across the region,' he said. 'In several of these discussions, New Zealand also agreed to position Malaysia as a strategic hub for the distribution of its halal products to ASEAN markets, as well as to traditional markets with established Malaysian trade links,' he added. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, told reporters at the conclusion of his five-day working visit to New Zealand on Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysia's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mazita Marzuki, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Undersecretary for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, John K. Samuel. As the Malaysian Halal Industry Development Council chairman, Ahmad Zahid noted that the participation of non-ASEAN countries such as New Zealand in regional halal platforms would enhance the alignment of standards and further ensure the global marketability of halal-certified products. Malaysia, he said, is prepared to act as a regional halal hub, offering New Zealand companies access to the ASEAN market through various collaborative initiatives, including participation in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS). He confirmed that New Zealand has agreed to participate in MIHAS, scheduled to be held in September, and will also be involved in business matching sessions with industry players from Malaysia and other participating countries. The five-day visit, which began on July 14, focused on enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and halal industry development. — BERNAMA
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Ahmad Zahid expresses regrets over cynicism on visit To NZ
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed regret over the actions of certain quarters who belittled his working visit to New Zealand. He said such criticisms were inappropriate and served only to undermine his efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new opportunities for Malaysia. 'In every working visit, my primary objective is to acquire knowledge, exchange experiences, and identify strategic areas that can benefit the country and the people,' he said. 'Politics will always be a subject of discussion among politicians, be it ministers, deputy prime ministers, or even prime ministers who are abroad, but such cynicism should not be entertained. 'What is important in working visits, or official visits, are valuable opportunities to gain insights and discover areas not yet developed in Malaysia, which can then be explored,' he told Malaysian journalists at the end of a five-day working visit to New Zealand here Saturday (Friday in Malaysia). Also present were Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki and John K Samuel, the Undersecretary of the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that sincerity and openness to feedback, and a willingness to learn from other countries should be prioritised — rather than being caught in a cycle of unconstructive criticism. 'If it's good, ask your friends. If it's not good, ask your enemies. Enemies are those who dislike us…whatever we do will never be good enough for them. But don't be arrogant. Don't be arrogant. Don't be arrogant,' he emphasised. He also expressed disappointment that some of the cynicism came from individuals with religious backgrounds who, he said, voiced their opinions without prudence, ultimately undermining the spirit of cooperation and national development. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said his five-day working visit to New Zealand had opened a new chapter in strengthening strategic cooperation between Malaysia and the Oceanian nation. The visit covered various sectors, including education, the halal industry, disaster management, trade, agriculture, and the empowerment of the Orang Asli community through engagements with the Māori community. During the five-day working visit, Ahmad Zahid held bilateral meetings with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Minister for Maori Development Tama Potaka, Minister for Agriculture and Trade Todd McClay and Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Dr Shane Reti. The working visit is part of Malaysia's efforts to further strengthen bilateral relations with strategic partners in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2024, the value of Malaysia-New Zealand trade amounted to RM10.72 billion, making Malaysia the second-largest trading partner among ASEAN countries for New Zealand. — BERNAMA
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Ahmad Zahid regrets cynicism over New Zealand working visit
WELLINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed disappointment over cynicism surrounding his working visit to New Zealand. He stated that such criticism undermines efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for Malaysia. 'In every working visit, my primary objective is to acquire knowledge, exchange experiences, and identify strategic areas that can benefit the country and the people,' he told Malaysian journalists at the end of his five-day trip. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, stressed the importance of sincerity and openness to feedback. 'If it's good, ask your friends. If it's not good, ask your enemies. Enemies are those who dislike we do will never be good enough for them. But don't be arrogant. Don't be arrogant. Don't be arrogant,' he emphasised. He also lamented that some criticism came from individuals with religious backgrounds, whose remarks he described as lacking prudence. During his visit, Ahmad Zahid engaged in bilateral discussions with New Zealand officials, including Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour and Minister for Agriculture and Trade Todd McClay. The discussions covered sectors such as education, the halal industry, disaster management, and trade. - Bernama Malaysia is New Zealand's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade valued at RM10.72 billion in 2024
