UK Seeks Greater Trade, Investment Growth With Malaysia - High Commissioner

By Rohani Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- The United Kingdom (UK) aims to increase its trade with Malaysia this year after recording an 11 per cent growth in 2025, bringing the total bilateral trade to 6.5 billion pounds (RM34.26 billion), said the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ajay Sharma.

“Last year, our trade grew by 11 per cent, and I am really keen for us to do even more together (this year) to benefit our people.

“The UK and Malaysia have a really strong, historic and multi-dimensional relationship. And it's based on trade, education and people-to-people links, “ he told Bernama when met here, recently. 

He said beyond trade, the UK is also looking to expand its cooperation with Malaysia in investment, both in the traditional and new sectors such as technology, semiconductors and the green energy transition.

The High Commissioner said Malaysia has a very strong semiconductor sector and the UK is keen to deepen collaboration in the sector.

Sharma also revealed plans to encourage more British companies to use Malaysia as a hub for ASEAN operations and increase investments in the country.

“You (Malaysia) have a skilled workforce. You have a really strong advanced manufacturing industry base. We (British) really want to take advantage of that. And ASEAN is a growing market. I also want us to get involved in attracting more investment from Malaysia into the UK,” he said. 

Sharma said he is also looking forward to deepening cooperation with Malaysia in Islamic finance and the defence industry.

“We are part of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. On the industrial side, we have worked very well together in the past, for example with the Hawk fighter jets.

“What I am looking at now is how the UK and Malaysia can collaborate on a defence industrial project that will bind our two countries together for decades.

“For example, this could involve the development of fighter aircraft, particularly through the potential sale of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to Malaysia. I see that as a stepping stone for closer cooperation between our two countries,” he said.

Sharma added that the UK also hopes to work more closely with Malaysia in education and talent development, particularly in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

-- BERNAMA