top of page

Malaysia looking to strengthen cooperation with UK in strategic sectors, says Zahid

Malaysia looking to strengthen cooperation with UK in strategic sectors, says Zahid

Malaysia is looking to strengthen its bilateral cooperation with the United Kingdom in several strategic sectors, following a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed.


In discussing closer bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the UK, Ahmad Zahid said he expressed the Malaysia’s commitment to becoming the Asean Hub for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Certification and Excellence.


"The focus will be on high-value industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles (EV), aerospace, and green energy.


"I also conveyed Malaysia's intention to expand collaboration with UK academic institutions and industries to enhance TVET training, certification, and the employability of Malaysian graduates," he told reporters during his working visit to Britain on Monday (June 2).


On rural development, Ahmad Zahid said the country is keen to learn from the UK’s approach in transforming rural areas into sustainable economic growth zones.




"We also discussed matters related to disaster management, access to clean water, and the use of new technologies to strengthen resilience against global climate change," he said.


Several issues concerning the environment were also discussed especially on ways to overcome the problem of polluted rivers.


"Malaysia needs to learn how the UK dealt with rehabilitating polluted rivers.


"We need to take heed of how polluted rivers have become a thing of the past in the UK as we are still facing the same problem.


"The first step to learning from them is to raise public awareness of the problem with polluted rivers," he said.


The meeting also touched on renewable energy cooperation, including the proposal to reactivate the Asean Power Grid and explore investment opportunities in solar and green energy, he said.


"The UK’s establishment of GB Energy, a national clean energy company, was noted as a positive signal of its strong commitment to the green agenda.


"I expressed Malaysia's readiness to be a strategic partner in this development," he said




In addition, Ahmad Zahid said he also highlighted the potential of Islamic financial instruments such as sukuk to support climate finance and sustainable development cooperation.


"This includes bolstering the global halal industry through the establishment of a World Halal Council and a unified halal logo, which aims to reinforce international consumer confidence in Malaysia’s standards," he added.


Ahmad Zahid said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade ties, including through frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and increasing business-to-business (B2B) engagement between the private sectors of both nations.


"I believe this meeting has opened new avenues to elevate Malaysia–UK cooperation to a more strategic level, especially in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future," he said.


Ahmad Zahid also hosted a special gathering on Monday night with approximately 101 Malaysians, including 60 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) sponsored students based in the UK, reinforcing the government's engagement with the diaspora community.


He reminded the students to never forget to give back to the country once they have finished their studies.


"While the salaries here (UK) might be substantially higher, returning and helping to develop the country further is priceless and much more meaningful.


"We must instil in the Mara students the spirit of togetherness," he said.



Read More: Here

bottom of page