Malaysia To Strengthen Ties With Cuba - Ambassador

HAVANA, Sept 8 (Bernama-Prensa Latina) -- Malaysia and Cuba have nurtured a strong friendship and collaboration in international forums, a partnership that could significantly enhance trade and cooperation across various sectors, Malaysian Ambassador to Cuba, Muhammad Radzi Jamaludin said.

The envoy said Malaysia and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1975. Havana opened its embassy in Malaysia in 1997, and Kuala Lumpur followed with the opening of its embassy in Cuba in 2001.

"Malaysia and Cuba have celebrated 49 years of steadfast friendship and collaboration in international forums, with both nations consistently supporting each other on mutual interests. Malaysia has also supported every United Nations (UN) resolution against the US blockade of Cuba, which it regards as unjust and arbitrary,” he said in an interview with Cuba's official state news agency, Prensa Latina.

Muhammad Radzi said there is a need to increase and diversify trade between the two countries which has reached nearly US$4.7 million.

At present, trade is conducted through intermediary countries such as Panama, Mexico, Spain, and Singapore.

Meanwhile, the head of mission stated that Malaysia and Cuba are exploring cooperation in renewable energy and biotechnology as well as between their news agencies—the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Prensa Latina.

Muhammad Radzi, who also serves as ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Nicaragua from Havana, has proposed several initiatives to enhance trade and boost tourism.

He outlined plans to organise a business seminar and a tourism-focused event to showcase destinations and products.

“We are reaching out to the Ministry of Tourism and tour operators from both Cuba and Malaysia, with the intention of arranging a private event to facilitate their collaboration,” he said.

Muhammad Radzi said tourism is a vital source of income for both Malaysia and Cuba, For Malaysia, the tourism industry generates around US$25 billion annually.

“My aim is to foster mutual promotion. It is crucial to showcase both countries' destinations and products to tour operators, highlighting what we offer and our potential,” he said.

In 2025, as Malaysia assumes the chair of ASEAN, he hopes for closer collaboration between ASEAN and Cuba to enhance regional connectivity and maximise the benefits of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (ACT), which Cuba signed with ASEAN in 2020.

He added that Malaysia will continue to support Cuba’s participation in the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), which has already benefitted 92 Cuban officials and professionals from various agencies and ministries.

Established by Kuala Lumpur in 1980, the MTCP aims to develop human capital in Global South nations as part of Malaysia’s South-South collaboration policy.

-- BERNAMA