Malaysia, UAE to foster cooperation, boost economic opportunities

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to foster greater cooperation, especially in boosting economic opportunities, as both countries are focused on a strong and resilient economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said its minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan held a constructive and productive meeting in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with both ministers expressing satisfaction at the current state of bilateral ties between the two countries.

“In this regard, the two ministers discussed important initiatives under four priority areas of cooperation in the post-pandemic era, namely trade and investments, agriculture and food security, health and diplomatic exchanges,” it said.

According to the ministry, the working visit had provided a new impetus to the strong and brotherly ties between Malaysia and the UAE, adding that the latter was one of Malaysia’s main trading partners, with the total trade between the two nations valued at US$6.43 billion in 2019.

The UAE is also Malaysia’s largest export destination and second-largest source of import in the West Asia region, said the ministry.

Given Malaysia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia, the ministry said Malaysia was committed to being the gateway for the UAE to enter the region’s market, which is home to over 650 million people.

According to the statement, Hishammuddin returned to Malaysia yesterday and will undergo mandatory quarantine in compliance with the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) as stipulated by the Health Ministry.

-- BERNAMA