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.

He reiterated Malaysia's commitment to enhancing its economic partnership with New Zealand, with a shared vision to boost bilateral trade by 50 per cent by 2030.

Ahmad Zahid described the collaboration between both countries as a “deep-rooted partnership” that has evolved from early diplomatic ties to robust and multi-faceted economic cooperation.

He said bilateral trade between Malaysia and New Zealand in 2024 reached US$2.34 billion (RM10.72 billion), making Malaysia the second-largest ASEAN trading partner for New Zealand.

“These numbers aren’t just statistics, they reflect confidence, connectivity and commitment between our economies,” he said.

Moreover, he said, agreements such as the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which enables 99.8 per cent of New Zealand exports to enter Malaysia duty-free, and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), which has boosted New Zealand’s exports to ASEAN by nearly 60 per cent since 2010, must continue to be strengthened.

Malaysia’s own utilisation of AANZFTA benefits has more than doubled, rising from RM5.8 billion in 2016 to RM12.9 billion in 2023.

Ahmad Zahid said the recent upgrade to AANZFTA, along with the momentum generated by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), has better positioned both nations to build a fair, modern and sustainable trade architecture.

Noting that today’s event is more than just a business forum, he said it is a reflection of the deep ties that have been nurtured over decades, from early diplomatic exchanges to strategic trade and investment.

The ANZBC engagement, held at the Park Hyatt Hotel Auckland and jointly organised by the High Commission of Malaysia, ANZBC, and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, aimed to deepen bilateral economic ties, explore trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen business-to-business networks between ASEAN and New Zealand.

Also present were ANZBC chairman Kathleen Morrison and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise market manager Ivy Huang, along with representatives from the New Zealand business and ASEAN communities.

-- BERNAMA