Zahid to strengthen bilateral ties during UK visit

LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( pic ) is undertaking a four-day working visit to Britain from June 1 to 4, in a move aimed at further strengthening Malaysia-UK bilateral ties.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, will be accompanied by senior government officials from the Foreign Ministry, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry.
The visit comes on the heels of recent high-level engagements between Malaysia and the UK, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit in January and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof's visit in April, signalling Malaysia's commitment to enhancing multilateral and bilateral cooperation.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to the United Kingdom Datuk Zakri Jaafar said Malaysia, as the Asean Chair for 2025, would use this opportunity to share the progress achieved under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustai­na­bility' and to discuss future regional strategies and programmes.
Among the key highlights of the visit is a bilateral meeting scheduled for today with UK Secretary of State for Environ­ment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed, Zakri told reporters at the Malaysian High Com­mission.
'The discussion will focus not only on enhancing Malaysia-UK cooperation but also delve into disaster risk management, aligning with Ahmad Zahid's role as Chair of the Central Disaster Manage­ment Com­mit­tee.'
On the­ same day, the Deputy Prime Minister is also slated to deliver a keynote address at the Technical and Vocational Edu­cation and Training (TVET) Forum titled 'Malaysia's TVET Leadership in Asean Building Skills for a Shared Future' at University College London, Zakri said.
'The forum will gather representatives from Asean missions in the UK, students, university officials, academics and researchers.
'Later that evening, Ahmad Zahid will host a special gathering with approximately 120 Malay­sian students based in the UK, reinforcing the government's engagement with the Malaysian diaspora,' he said.
Zakri added that tomorrow, Ahmad Zahid would chair two roundtable meetings – one with UK-based franchise industry players and another with tourism sector agencies.
'He is also scheduled to officiate the UK launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, aimed at promoting Malaysia as a premier travel destination for the UK and broader European markets,' Zakri said.
To support this promotional drive, the Deputy Prime Minister would participate in exclusive media interviews with prominent travel publications TTG Media and Wanderlust, he added.
'The visit will conclude with Ahmad Zahid's departure to Geneva on June 4 to continue his overseas engagements,' Zakri added.

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