KUALA LUMPUR: Enhancing economic cooperation between New Zealand and Malaysia was the main discussion between opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic) and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Hamzah said they discussed a wide range of issues and exchanged views.
"We particularly discussed enhancing economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations, considering that New Zealand is currently Malaysia's 28th largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to RM11.56bil (US$2.54bil).
"We then touched on the potential and strategic value of Malaysia as a hub for the Asean economic market, which has a population of over 600 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) that is currently the fifth largest in the world," he said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday (Sept 3).
Hamzah and other Perikatan Nasional leaders met with Luxon today after the latter paid a courtesy call on Hamzah.
"We received a courtesy call from him (Luxon) who is on his first official visit to Malaysia since he became the New Zealand Prime Minister in November last year.
"We further discussed cooperation in the education sector, regional and international geopolitical issues, aspects of security and cross-border crime, as well as cultural diplomacy that both countries can engage in," he added.
Hamzah said Luxon then shared insight into his experience and the political challenges he faced before assuming leadership and the approaches he took to establish political stability in New Zealand.
He said also present were Beluran MP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee who is the Perikatan Agriculture and Food Security portfolio head, Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, the party's head of Finance, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, the party's Head of the Foreign Affairs, Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin, the party's head of transport and Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali, the party's head of National Unity.
