HK and MY in talks to open new trade office and develop flights

Hong Kong is partnering with Malaysia to establish a trade office in Kuala Lumpur, while also indicating potential new airline routes between the two locations.

On 6 June, the Consulate General of Malaysia in Hong Kong and Macao (馬來西亞駐香港總領事館) organised a reception to mark 50 years of diplomatic relationship between China and Malaysia, attended by Hong Kong chief executive John Lee and Malaysia's transport minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook (pictured right).

Loke disclosed that he has been in talks with Hong Kong Airlines about expanding its route network to various major Malaysian cities. “We are looking forward to another link between Hong Kong and Malaysia. Not only in Kuala Lumpur, but we also welcome Hong Kong Airlines, or any other airlines to fly to our other major cities such as Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu Kuching, or even Ipoh.”

“Ipoh is the hometown of the award-winning artist Michelle Yeoh,” Loke said. 

Meanwhile, he said China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner globally for 15 consecutive years since 2009. "In 2023, the total trade between with China was valued at US$98.8 billion, contributing 17% of Malaysia’s global trade. In 2023, China ranked as the fifth largest investor in Malaysia, with investment projects totalling US$2.6 billion."

He also cited the GDP growth in Malaysia in the first quarter of this year as at 4.2%, promoting Malaysia as a “strategically located gateway” to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the political and economic union of 10 states in Southeast Asia.

“We hope our friends in Hong Kong and China, as well as international businesses, will continue to see Malaysia as their preferred business and investment partner," Loke said. 

Meanwhile, chief executive John Lee said Hong Kong is working with Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formalise Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), according to South China Morning Post. 

This comes as part of strengthening the trade partnership between Hong Kong and Malaysia. Back in February, the Hong Kong government announced that it would establish a new HKETO in Kuala Lumpur. It aims to highlight the strong economic and trade ties between the Hong Kong and Malaysia. 

Last month, Lee welcomed the visiting deputy prime minister and minister of rural and regional development of Malaysia, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Lee said that the Hong Kong government will continue to work closely with Malaysia to promote talent exchanges in areas such as healthcare and vocational training.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong will welcome more students to study in the city to deepen youth exchanges with an increase in the Belt and Road Scholarship quota starting next academic year.

MARKETING-INTERACTVIE has reached out to Commerce and Economic Development Bureau for more information. 

(Photo courtesy: Loke's official Facebook)

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