HAVANA, Sept 8 – 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.
