- Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi commenced a four-day working visit to the UK to strengthen bilateral ties in education, rural development, and tourism.
- Key engagements include environmental sustainability talks with the UK Environment Secretary and a public lecture at University College London on Malaysia’s TVET agenda.
- The visit will also launch the UK chapter of Visit Malaysia 2026, boosting British tourism and reinforcing Malaysia's profile as a premier Asian travel destination.
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi launched a four-day working visit to the United Kingdom from June 1 to June 4, 2025, aimed at deepening bilateral relations in rural development, education, economic interaction, and tourism. The visit follows the momentum generated by the visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the UK in January, which set Malaysia-UK relations at a Strategic Partnership. Ahmad Zahid's activities will yield long-term dividends for Malaysia's travel and tourism industry, particularly through main meetings with UK tourism chiefs, trading partners, and tourism authorities.
Among the key themes of the visit is promoting environmental and rural development collaboration. Ahmad Zahid will hold discussions with the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Steve Reed, on joint initiatives in sustainability, rural poverty reduction, and climate resilience. This conversation will also enhance green travel activities and rural tourism growth, boosting Malaysia as a destination for green travelers.
A highlight of his visit is a public lecture at University College London on Malaysia's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agenda, which plays an important role in the development of a skilled workforce. Ahmad Zahid will highlight Malaysia's achievement in human capital development and emphasize the importance of international cooperation in education. This emphasis on TVET might provide new opportunities for educational tourism and exchange programs, making Malaysia a new destination for international students.
Another highlight will be a roundtable session with the leaders of the British franchise sector to discuss investment possibilities in Malaysia in retail, food services, education, and tourism. The business-friendly culture and strategic position of Malaysia's economy make it an inviting partner for UK companies. These discussions are hoped to result in joint ventures and franchise deals that will boost the tourism and hospitality sectors, increasing Malaysia's infrastructure and new attractions.
One of the biggest milestones related to tourism in the course of the visit is the launch of the UK chapter of Visit Malaysia 2026. The campaign's objective is to increase Malaysia's profile in the UK market, highlighting its vibrant culture, natural attractions, and international-standard amenities. Through the campaign, Malaysia is hoping to increase British tourists and inspire long-haul travel interest, supporting airlines, hotels, and tour operators and further establishing Malaysia as a top-tier Asian destination.
Economic relations between Malaysia and the UK are robust, with bilateral trade at RM16.8 billion in 2024 and RM4.98 billion achieved between January and April 2025. The economic partnership provides a firm platform for further cooperation in trade, education, and tourism. The visit of the Deputy Prime Minister heralds both nations' unifying resolve to strengthen their strategic partnership as well as seek more avenues for cooperation.
Overall, the visit will reinforce Malaysia-UK relations, promoting closer cooperation in education, environmental sustainability, economic growth, and tourism promotion. These initiatives will further enhance Malaysia's status as a prime global tourism destination and bring about a future of mutual development and shared prosperity for both countries.
