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
Bernama
Mon Oct 02 2023
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
Perkembangan letupan Gunung Ruang, tindakan seterusnya?
Bersama ditalian, Susan Margaret, Ketua Biro Kompas TV Manado.
Pembantu kedai telefon mengaku tidak bersalah sebabkan kematian OKU
Lim Guan Yan membuat pengakuan itu selepas pertuduhan ke atasnya dibacakan di hadapan Majistret Suhaila Shafi'uddin.
Pengarang, penerbit Astro AWANI syukur dipilih tunai haji tahun ini
Dua pengarang Astro AWANI, Dr Azlinariah Abdullah dan Azlinda Md Salim antara 14 petugas media yang bakal terbang ke Tanah Suci untuk membuat liputan musim haji dan menunaikan ibadah berkenaan.
Microsoft umum pelaburan AI, awan bernilai USD2.2 bilion di Malaysia
Bersama ditalian, Pengarah Institut Kajian Malaysia dan Antarabangsa (IKMAS) UKM, Prof. Dr Sufian Jusoh.
BPT SPRM berperanan kesan kelompongan, ketirisan dalam organisasi
Bahagian Penyiasatan Tatakelola (BPT) SPRM berperanan menjalankan siasatan bagi mengesan kelompongan dalam tatacara kerja dan mengurangkan ketirisan dalam organisasi.
Pelaburan Microsoft AS$2.2 bilion: Bukti keyakinan global kepada Malaysia - PM
Malaysia menyambut baik keputusan pelaburan dibuat Microsoft bernilai AS$2.2 bilion (RM10.5 bilion).
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata jumlah ini adalah pelaburan terbesar pada satu-satu masa oleh Microsoft setelah 32 tahun bertapak di Malaysia.
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkata jumlah ini adalah pelaburan terbesar pada satu-satu masa oleh Microsoft setelah 32 tahun bertapak di Malaysia.
Lelaki warga emas ditemui maut di kawasan kebun getah
Seorang lelaki warga emas yang dilaporkan hilang ketika keluar mencari daun palas Isnin lepas, ditemukan meninggal dunia di kawasan kebun getah di Kampung Guar Sanai, Beseri, Padang Besa, semalam.
AWANI Ringkas: Protest bertembung dengan kumpulan pro-Israel
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Banyak usaha Kerajaan Perpaduan bantu masyarakat India - Fahmi
Menteri Komunikasi Fahmi Fadzil berkata banyak usaha dilakukan Kerajaan Perpaduan untuk membantu masyarakat India.
Kemalangan dua treler di lebuh raya, semua lorong arah utara terhalang
Susulan kemalangan itu menyebabkan semua lorong arah utara terhalang dan trafik dilencongkan ke Plaza Tol Kuala Kangsar.
New Zealand minat teroka peluang kolaborasi dengan Malaysia berkaitan Orang Asli
Gabenor Jeneral New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro berkata New Zealand berminat untuk mempelajari lebih lanjut mengenai masyarakat Orang Asli di Malaysia.
Gabenor Jeneral New Zealand terima kunjungan hormat PM Anwar
Gabenor Jeneral New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, yang sedang dalam rangka lawatan negara menerima kunjungan hormat Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.