Building Bridges: MNZCC Advancing Malaysia–New Zealand Partnerships from Greater KL - Spotlight Greater KL

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Building Bridges: MNZCC Advancing Malaysia–New Zealand Partnerships from Greater KL

Chairman,
Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Committee (MNZCC)

1. Can you provide an overview of MNZCC – its mission, objectives, and key focus areas?

The Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (MNZCC) is the leading business hub that enables, facilitates, and grows New Zealand–Malaysia business success. Our mission is to strengthen bilateral relations by enabling impactful connections, facilitating strategic collaborations, and growing opportunities that deliver value to our members, partners, sponsors, and stakeholders. Through our three key focus areas: i) Business Facilitation Hub, ii) Event-Driven Engagement, and iii) Partnership Development, MNZCC drives sustainable growth, supports government and stakeholder efforts, and fosters meaningful, long-term partnerships between both nations.

2. How does MNZCC view the current economic prospects of both Malaysia and New Zealand, particularly in the context of global shifts?

MNZCC sees very positive economic prospects for both countries, driven by the enduring strength of trade-oriented economies and deepening bilateral cooperation. During the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Rt Hon Christopher Luxon reaffirmed their commitment to finalising the Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) review by the end of 2025, marking a key step toward modernising bilateral trade and investment ties.

Amid global supply-chain realignments, sustainability imperatives, and digital transformation, Malaysia’s strengths in manufacturing, logistics, and halal-industry innovation complement New Zealand’s expertise in agro-food, clean energy, and technology services - positioning both nations to capitalise on the evolving global landscape.

In short, MNZCC views the current outlook as one of resilient growth and strategic opportunity, where New Zealand–Malaysia is well placed to benefit from regional integration, supply-chain diversification, and high-value collaboration.

ASEAN–New Zealand Business Networking Event 2025. MNZCC partnered with the Asia New Zealand Foundation and ANZBC to host the ASEAN–New Zealand Business Networking Event on 23 October 2025 at Botanica+Co, Bangsar South. The evening brought together business leaders, corporates and MNZCC members to foster regional collaboration, celebrate Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, and mark 50 years of New Zealand–ASEAN relations.

3. In your view, what are the most promising areas of collaboration between Malaysia and New Zealand in today’s evolving economic landscape?

In today’s evolving economic landscape, Malaysia and New Zealand have strong potential for collaboration across these key sectors:

Halal Food & Agriculture Value Chains – Both countries reaffirmed cooperation in halal certification, dairy and meat exports at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Oct 2025, strengthening food security and shared access to high-value consumer markets.
Clean Energy, Green Tech & Digital Economy – Malaysia’s high-value manufacturing and Industry 4.0 goals complement New Zealand’s strengths in renewable energy, agritech, and digital services, creating strong technology partnership potential.
Trade Facilitation & Services Liberalisation – The MNZFTA review, expected end-2025, will set to open new avenues for tariff reduction, customs cooperation, investment flows, and service-sector liberalisation, strengthening ease of doing business between both nations.
Education & People-to-People Ties – The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships have surged in allocation for Malaysians, rising “from two to 39 per year for the next three years” under the programme. Meanwhile, the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is set to send an additional 100 sponsored students to New Zealand” to pursue tertiary education. Together, these initiatives deepen skills development, knowledge exchange and professional connections across both nations.

These priorities reflect MNZCC’s • Enable • Facilitate • Grow (EFG) philosophy and reinforce its role as a key hub linking businesses, governments, and innovators for sustainable bilateral growth.

4. Can you share any successful collaborations/partnerships/case studies between Malaysian and New Zealand businesses?

In recent years, several landmark partnerships have illustrated the strong and evolving Malaysia–New Zealand business relationship — spanning renewable energy, tourism, automotive, halal trade, and logistics. Yinson Renewables’ 2025 approval from New Zealand’s Overseas Investment Office enables its renewable energy expansion and reflects Malaysia’s confidence in New Zealand’s clean-energy future. YTL Hotels’ NZD 160 million acquisition of Hotel Indigo Auckland marks its first hotel investment in New Zealand and signals confidence in the visitor economy. Sime Darby Motors NZ’s operations at the Ruakura Superhub and Tauriko Business Estate support the high-growth Golden Triangle freight corridor, while MRCB’s NZD 650 million Symphony Centre urban regeneration project showcases Malaysian transit-oriented development expertise.

Bilateral frameworks have also advanced, including the Halal Implementing Arrangement signed on 28 October 2025 and Malaysia’s welcome for New Zealand to join the upcoming ASEAN Halal Council. The AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (Sept 2025) streamlines customs processes, and multiple MoUs in food, beverage, and digital technology were signed during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s 2024 visit. Together, these collaborations demonstrate the breadth of Malaysia–New Zealand partnership and reinforce MNZCC’s mission to Enable • Facilitate • Grow sustainable bilateral success.

5. From your observation, which high-potential sectors in Greater KL are drawing interest from New Zealand companies, especially in terms of innovation, talent access, and business ecosystem?

Greater KL is increasingly recognised as a key destination for New Zealand companies, offering a strong combination of innovation, high-skilled talent and a supportive business ecosystem. Its strength lies in its ability to connect technology, sustainability and high-value commercial opportunities across Southeast Asia.

In the digital and technology sector, Greater KL positions itself as a regional centre for emerging technologies such as AI, fintech, SaaS, healthtech, and data-driven industries. Malaysia’s ongoing digital transformation and pro-innovation policies align well with New Zealand’s vibrant tech sector, making digital collaboration and investment in KL highly attractive. In food, agritech and halal innovation, New Zealand continues to play a major role as a trusted supplier to Malaysia. Greater KL’s position as a halal, logistics and consumer hub in ASEAN creates strong potential for New Zealand companies in premium food, nutrition and agritech to scale their products and services regionally. The green economy and advanced manufacturing also offer growing opportunities. Malaysia’s focus on renewable energy, clean technology, electric mobility and low-carbon production complements New Zealand’s strengths in sustainability and green innovation, encouraging deeper commercial partnerships. Greater KL’s development as a global business services hub further enhances its attractiveness. With a multilingual, highly educated workforce and a competitive operating environment, the city provides an ideal base for shared services, innovation labs and regional leadership functions for New Zealand companies expanding into Asia.

Together, these factors make Greater KL a strategic launchpad for New Zealand firms seeking long-term, high-value growth in the region — particularly in digital innovation, food and agritech, green industries and regional business operations.

6. How does MNZCC support New Zealand companies exploring their business in Greater KL – Malaysia’s capital region and expanding its hub in other areas for high-value, innovation-driven industries?

As the official business chamber linking New Zealand and Malaysia, MNZCC serves as a platform for connection and collaboration that helps strengthen relationships between New Zealand companies and Malaysia’s high-value, innovation-driven ecosystem in Greater Kuala Lumpur. Through engagement forums, networking platforms, and partnerships with public and private stakeholders, MNZCC promotes knowledge sharing, relationship building, and visibility in key sectors. By supporting dialogue that aligns New Zealand’s capabilities in technology, education and sustainability with Malaysia’s NIMP 2030 and green-economy priorities, MNZCC contributes to strengthening bilateral business understanding and long-term partnerships that create shared value across the Malaysia–New Zealand business landscape.

7. Are there any initiatives or programs led by MNZCC to promote bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and New Zealand?

MNZCC actively supports a range of initiatives that strengthen business links, trade connections, and investment relationships between Malaysia and New Zealand. These include convening business dialogues and networking forums that bring public- and private-sector stakeholders together to explore collaboration and shared opportunities; hosting sector-focused roundtables and business networking events; and engaging in partnership activities and business delegations that connect both nations’ business communities. Through these efforts, MNZCC provides a trusted, business-driven platform that fosters collaboration, enhances member visibility, and nurtures long-term partnerships that contribute to a vibrant and resilient Malaysia–New Zealand business ecosystem.

8. What key challenges do Malaysian and New Zealand companies typically face when entering a new market, and how can chambers like yours help to mitigate these?

Malaysian and New Zealand companies often encounter common challenges when entering new markets, such as understanding local regulations, navigating cultural and business practices, establishing trusted networks, and identifying credible partners. As a connector of both business communities, MNZCC helps ease these barriers through its vision of EFG. We enable access to relevant market perspectives and professional networks, facilitate business dialogues and cross-border connections, and grow long-term, trust-based relationships that support confidence and collaboration. Aligned with our mission to strengthen bilateral business engagement, MNZCC provides a neutral, business-led platform that helps companies adapt more effectively, reduce commercial uncertainties, and cultivate sustainable growth in both Malaysia and New Zealand.

9. How does MNZCC envision the future of economic relations between Malaysia and New Zealand, and what strategic role does the chamber play in shaping this future?

MNZCC envisions a future where Malaysia and New Zealand are connected not only through business, but also through shared aspirations in innovation, sustainability and people-to-people collaboration. With both governments reaffirming closer cooperation through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ongoing MNZFTA review, recent media coverage has noted positive momentum and growing confidence in the potential for expanded economic engagement towards 2030.

Against this backdrop, MNZCC serves as a business-led platform that strengthens connections across the two countries’ commercial communities. By fostering cross-border partnerships and encouraging collaboration in areas such as digital technology, agrifood, clean energy, education and the green economy, the Chamber supports the relationship-building that enables businesses to explore new opportunities. Through dialogue, trusted networks and sector engagement, MNZCC contributes to a resilient, future-oriented Malaysia–New Zealand business ecosystem that supports sustainable, shared growth.

10. Are there any upcoming events or initiatives organised by MNZCC to foster networking or collaboration opportunities between Malaysian and New Zealand businesses?

Yes. MNZCC has a series of upcoming branded initiatives designed to foster stronger business collaboration and outcomes between Malaysian and New Zealand businesses. These are organised across three focus areas.

At the industry level, MNZCC has launched two flagship programmes this year: ATA – The Kiwi Breakfast Dialogue, an executive roundtable on market outlooks and cross-sector opportunities; and An Evening of “WAINA & KAI”, a business-focused wine-and-dine networking event, with the latest edition held in conjunction with the NZASEAN50 business relations celebration. Over the next year, MNZCC plans to introduce RĀ NUI – The Business Makan, a premier business luncheon that brings together leaders and stakeholders to discuss current trends, with the next potential upcoming topic centred around women in business and business productivity series.

As for business community networking events, MNZCC has, over the past two years, collaborated with several international chambers to deliver regular monthly Interchamber Networking Events. The Chamber has also soft-launched The “Hākari” Celebration Series to mark significant New Zealand and Malaysian occasion, to name a few, Waitangi Day, Matariki and Christmas, more to come. MNZCC will also introduce The ASEAN Mixers to further connect our business members with broader regional networks, in collaboration with our New Zealand and ASEAN chapter associate network.

Under special interest events, MNZCC has organised several sports-led networking activities with our sports-enthusiast members over the past few years— including Women’s FIFA event, and rugby match networking gather as part of our Kiwi “Sports Club” initiative. MNZCC is also rolling out experiential platforms such as The Sedap Barbee-Q, designed to engage New Zealand alumni and returnees in Malaysia to strengthen business links and community ties; and “Kopi, Tea or Kiwi?”, a collaborative platform for members to co-create business partnership projects or CSR-driven initiatives.

MNZCC launched its inaugural ATA – The Kiwi Breakfast Dialogue, officiated by H.E. Michael Walsh, together with Knight Frank Malaysia, MIDA, InvestKL, MATRADE, and MNZCC leaders, featuring keynotes and market insights on MY–NZ opportunities.

The Kiwi Breakfast Dialogue (Second Edition) MNZCC’s second ATA Dialogue brought together C-suite leaders and partners—MATRADE, EY Malaysia, Pavilion Damansara Heights, and Storii Group—to explore expansion opportunities into New Zealand and other high-growth markets.

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