[ad_1]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes to step up efforts on vaccine development with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Sultan Abdullah said that the UAE has proven itself as friends of Malaysia during this difficult period.
“Both countries could explore and intensify relations in the field of Covid-19 vaccine development and strengthen post-pandemic collaboration in the fields of health, education, food safety, agriculture, future technology, renewable and clean energy, halal industry and tourism, just to name a few, ”he said.
Sultan Abdullah returned last weekend after a special five-day visit to Abu Dhabi, where he met Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, and other senior officials.
He said Malaysia placed a strong emphasis on relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially the United Arab Emirates.
“Malaysia shares many common values with the GCC countries. With its strategic geographical location, the UAE in particular has been the main commercial center not only in this region but also in the world for decades, ”he said.
Sultan Abdullah noted that in 2019, total trade between Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates reached $ 6.426 billion, an increase of 12.5% from $ 5.709 billion in 2018.
“Given our strategic location in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is committed to being the gateway for the UAE to enter the Southeast Asian market, which is home to 650 million people,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO OBTAIN THE LATEST DATA ON THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA
