Businesses hope for a return to routine

Wong presenting a souvenir to Dunn.

WITH most Malaysians fully vaccinated, it is hoped that Malaysia and New Zealand can resume intensive bilateral commerce and routine daily activities, says a corporate personality.

Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (MNZCC) vice-chairman Datuk Michael CH Wong said Malaysia and the world in general had weathered the Covid-19 pandemic for two long years, noting that Malaysia was the 10th largest trading partner of New Zealand.

“Annual bilateral trade touches NZ$3bil (RM8.5bil), and the two countries have set up free trade agreement to do away with double taxation,” he said at the launch of “Trade Policies and Practices to Strengthen Recovery between Malaysia and New Zealand” webinar series. The webinar was co-organised by MNZCC and the New Zealand Asean Business Alliance (NZABA).

Also present at the hybrid launch were MNZCC chairman Andrew Bayly, who is also co-chairman of NZABA, Southeast Asia Centre for Asia-Pacific Excellence (CAPE) director Professor Siah Hwee Ang, New Zealand’s trade and economic deputy secretary Vangelis Vitalis and New Zealand trade and export growth minister Phil Twyford.

Meanwhile, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia Pam Dunn said that in her one year here so far, the High Commission had set up multiple teams to assist Malaysian businessmen to overcome various challenges in export-import matters.

She said anyone with questions regarding doing business with New Zealand can refer to the High Commission here.