KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) relationships witnessed remarkable developments, especially in the areas of trade and investment, since the opening of diplomatic missions in both countries, according to UAE Ambassador to Malaysia Khalid Ghanim AlGhaith.
He said the two countries had established bilateral relationships in the early 1970s, followed by the opening of Malaysian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi in 1983 and the UAE Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1995.
AlGhaith said this has been leveraged by high-level visits to both capitals, with the latest one being the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to UAE beginning Wednesday, which he described as a mark of close relations of friendship between the two countries.
"It aims to drive bilateral relations to a new strategic level, promoting trade and investments with potential cooperation in the areas of food security, halal products development, and more collaboration in the oil and gas sector, in addition to post COVID-19 cooperation especially by promoting tourism recovery plans," he said.
The Ambassador said the recent high-level visits include the visit of Malaysian King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to UAE in December 2020 and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Malaysia in July 2019.
The ambassador mentioned that UAE is Malaysia's biggest trading partner in the Middle East and West Asia, with a total bilateral trade volume of US$29 billion in the past five years.
AlGhaith is hopeful that despite the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic slowdown, trade volume between the two countries is expected to increase in the years ahead.
"UAE companies such as Mubadala and OSC investments in Malaysia are estimated at US$1.2 billion in Oil and Gas, while Malaysian companies such as Serba Dinamik Holdings have a strong presence in the UAE," he said.
The ambassador also mentioned that Malaysia is an educational destination for UAE students with over 700 pursuing their further studies in Malaysian public and private institutes of higher learning mostly in the fields of management, accounting, and law.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Mar 10 2021
The ambassador mentioned that UAE is Malaysia's biggest trading partner in the Middle East and West Asia, with a total bilateral trade volume of US$29 billion in the past five years.
AI Revolution: Will Malaysia’s workforce sink or swim?
AI is no longer a distant concept, it is actively transforming industries, reshaping job markets, and redefining the skills needed.
Dalai Lama says his successor to be born outside China
Beijing insists it will choose his successor, but the Dalai Lama says any successor named by China would not be respected.
Philippines' ex-President Duterte arrested at ICC's request over 'drugs war', government says
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested upon his arrival at a Manila airport and the ex-leader is now in custody, the office of the president said.
US judge says Musk's DOGE must release records on operations run in 'secrecy'
The ruling, the first of its kind, marks an early victory for advocates pushing DOGE to be more transparent about its role in mass firings.
How to Get to Merdeka 118: Your Complete Guide
Heres everything you need to know about getting there efficiently.
Trump's renewed interest in Greenland lacks respect, says prime minister
Greenland, whose population is only 57,000, belongs to its people and that it should decide on its own future, says it's PM.
Why Canada is jailing more Indigenous people despite Trudeau's promises
Sentencing rules, supervisory orders and parole denials drive higher incarceration rates.
BRICS' climate leadership aims hang on healing deep divides
So far the middle-income BRICS have resisted demands from cash-strapped developed countries that they should share financial liability.
As US restores some aid, humanitarian groups ask: where is the money?
The United Nations has started evaluating "choices we are making on which lives not to save" due to cuts.
Social media platform X down again for thousands of users, Downdetector shows
Elon Musk's social media platform X was down again for thousands of users in the United States, according to Downdetector.com.
The end of cheap palm oil? Output stalls as biodiesel demand surges
Palm oil now trades at a premium over soybean oil, reversing past discounts.
UK Minister’s visit reinforces shared commitment to secure and resilient growth
The UK and Malaysia will step up cooperation to drive economic growth through trade and investment in key sectors.
Mark Carney, crisis-fighting central banker, to lead Canada through US trade war
Mark Carney argues Canada must fight Trump's tariffs with dollar for dollar retaliation and diversify trading relations in the medium term.
China vows utmost efforts for 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan
China will also take all necessary steps to safeguard the country's territorial integrity, it's foreign ministry says.
Hanoi bans tours on Train Street
The tourism department urges travel agencies to warn staff about traffic accident risks near train street cafes.
Room for talks on opposition MP allocations - PM
PM says issues can be raised in meetings, and the draft MoU on opposition allocations can be amended if needed.
Philippines' Duterte says he will accept arrest if ICC issues warrant
The International Criminal Court is set to issue a warrant over Rodrigo Duterte's years-long "war on drugs" that killed thousands.
May 6 decision on Najib's representation to drop RM27 mln SRC money laundering charges
The prosecution is requesting a new case management date to update on the outcome of the representation.
Doctor rearrested over multiple indecent behaviour claims
According to police, the doctor's initial remand period ends today but he was rearrested in connection with the third police report.
Malaysia has to sign at least eight protocols to use nuclear energy - MOSTI
Chang Lih Kang says nuclear energy use is regulated by international conventions and UN Security Council resolutions.