Timor-Leste's Asean entry gets full support from regional leaders
Speaking to the media at the 46th Asean Summit, he expressed confidence that his country would be able to meet all the necessary criteria under the Asean legal framework.
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The Sun
11 hours ago
- 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
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia seeks successful negotiations with US to lower tariffs, says Tok Mat
SEREMBAN: Malaysia hopes its negotiations with the United States for lower tariffs will be successful and not in any way jeopardise the good ties and trade relations both countries enjoy, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan. The Foreign Minister stated that Malaysia, which has until Aug 1 to reach an agreement, would continue to make its case for lower tariffs than those currently proposed, for the benefit of both countries. "Malaysia is a strategic partner to both the US and many other nations. "We are still talking about lowering the proposed tariffs, and we do not want this to affect the good bilateral ties that we currently enjoy," he told reporters after presenting financial aid to poor families and students in Rantau near here on Thursday (July 17). Mohamad expressed hope that an agreement could be reached between the two sides that would be mutually beneficial. "We need to ensure that we are able to preserve the good ties we have for the future," he said. Mohamad was asked to comment on the US's decision to lower tariffs on exports from Vietnam and Indonesia to 20% and 19% respectively. Vietnam was initially slapped with a 46% tariff, and Indonesia, 32%. Malaysia, which was slapped with a 24% rate in April, had this increased to 25% despite initial talks between representatives of both countries. Mohamad said that although the US had announced a lower tariff of 19% for Indonesia, this was made unilaterally by President Donald Trump. "I understand that talks between them are still ongoing and that Indonesia will issue their own statement," he said. Mohamad said talks to lower tariffs should not be centred on trade aspects alone. "The scope has to be expanded and should not only focus on trade but on sovereignty and related issues," he said. On Wednesday (July 16), Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Malaysians should be realistic in their expectations regarding tariff talks with the US, as there are certain issues that Putrajaya would never compromise on. Mohamad said Asean has a shared policy of inclusiveness, so any effort to divide member countries would be seen as unhealthy. "We hope the negotiations (between the US and other nations) will not reach a point of dividing us or lead to problems in bilateral relations," he added.
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Barnama
New Zealand Seeks Strategic Partnership With Malaysia In Halal Industry, Regional Trade
GENERAL From Ahmad Erwan Othman WELLINGTON, July 17 (Bernama) -- New Zealand has expressed a strong interest in forging closer cooperation with Malaysia in the halal industry and has chosen Malaysia as a key strategic partner, particularly in trade across the Southeast Asian region. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that this commitment was conveyed by New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade, and Investment, Todd McClay, during their bilateral meeting today. '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 after the meeting. The discussion followed Ahmad Zahid's visit to the National Crisis Management Centre (Beehive Bunker), New Zealand's strategic government control centre for disaster and emergency response. During the meeting that touched on various strategic matters, Ahmad Zahid said McClay also expressed willingness to accept Malaysian agricultural exports, particularly tropical fruits such as pineapples. Additionally, he said Malaysian companies were invited to invest in New Zealand's construction sector. 'Overall, this meeting reached a strategic agreement to broaden bilateral trade relations, including active New Zealand involvement in platforms such as the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),' he said. Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that Malaysia-New Zealand relations will continue to grow as a model of strategic cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations.
