'The sky is the limit' in KL-Abu Dhabi ties, says Muhyiddin

ABU DHABI (Bernama): In an unprecedented move, Abu Dhabi has conveyed to Malaysia that "the sky is the limit" in its cooperation with Kuala Lumpur.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this was conveyed to him by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi who is also Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during their meeting here on Wednesday (March 10).

"(The phrase) ‘the sky is the limit’ was used by the Crown Prince when referring to the cooperation between the two countries,” said Muhyiddin on Thursday (March 11).

The Crown Prince also described the ties of the two countries as close and extraordinary, added Muhyiddin.

The Prime Minister said the bilateral trade between both nations is set to be increased five-fold in value from the current US$3bil (about RM12bil).

"During the discussion, I also mentioned that our bilateral trade needs to be increased and the Crown Prince responded: 'Agreed five times',” he said.

Muhyiddin said UAE also wished to increase its investment in Malaysia which is currently at US$1.6bil.

"UAE has not set the timeframe for the increase in trade and investment in Malaysia and we must act fast, ” Muhyiddin told the Malaysian media at the end of his two-day official visit to UAE.

The Prime Minister said that during the meeting, he also shared with the Crown Prince his plan to implement digital education for all six million Malaysian students.

"To my surprise, the Crown Prince said, 'consider it done' and I was stunned. I'm not sure about the cost. It could be around RM3bil to RM4bil as it involves gadgets, content, software and ecosystem.

"I feel relieved that the plan can be materialised with some assistance from the Crown Prince. Education matter is close to the Crown Prince's heart,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the increase of trade and investment from UAE in Malaysia will certainly benefit the country and Malaysians through the creation of more business and job opportunities.

He said he would probably form a committee or task force in ensuring the implementation of the outcome of the meeting.

"We can't wait and see. We need to act fast. We need to identify areas of trade and investment, for example, infrastructure, transportation and plantation, and whether it involves the government, GLC (government-linked companies) or private sector and put forward the proposal to them,” he said.

Muhyiddin also said UAE is keen to learn from Malaysia the way Kuala Lumpur assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) impacted by Covid-19.

He said both countries also agreed to establish food security diplomacy cooperation in ensuring enough food supply in the event of any untoward crisis in the future.

Muhyiddin said there will be a food security hub in Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi respectively and the initiative would encourage the development of the food industry in Malaysia.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of food security diplomacy cooperation between the two countries was also inked during the visit.

Two other MoUs were also sealed concerning the establishment of UAE's founding father Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Chair at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) as well as on cooperation in the field of training of diplomats.

Muhyiddin also met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Muhyiddin made an official visit to Saudi Arabia.

Similar to his official visit to the Kingdom, his visit to the UAE was also undertaken with strict adherence to Covid-19 preventive standard operating procedures.

The Prime Minister departed for home on Thursday. - Bernama