Sky’s the limit for Putrajaya-Abu Dhabi ties, says PM

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and foreign minister Hishammuddin Hussein with UAE minister Sheikh Shakhbout at the Abu Dhabi international airport before their return home. (Bernama pic)

ABU DHABI: In an unprecedented move, Abu Dhabi has decided that “the sky is the limit” in its cooperation with Kuala Lumpur.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said this was conveyed to him by Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi who is also the deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) armed forces during their meeting here yesterday.

“(The phrase) ‘the sky is the limit’ was used by the Crown Prince when referring to the cooperation of the two countries,” Muhyiddin said today.

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

The prime minister said the bilateral trade between both nations is set to increase fivefold in value from the current US$3 billion (about RM12 billion).

“During the discussion, I also mentioned that our bilateral trade needs to be increased and the Crown Prince responded: He agreed (that it would be) five times,” he said.

Muhyiddin said UAE also wished to increase its investment in Malaysia, which now stands at about US$1.6 billion.

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

The prime minister said he had 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’. I was stunned. I am not sure about the cost. It could be around RM3 billion to RM4 billion as it involves gadgets, content, software and ecosystem.

“I feel relieved the plan can be accomplished with assistance from the Crown Prince. Education is close to the Crown Prince’s heart,” he said.

Muhyiddin also said UAE was keen to learn from Malaysia’s example in assisting 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 would 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. - FMT