KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian waters should continue to be a welcoming zone for all maritime industries and nations wishing to engage in trade, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said that not many countries are as fortunate as Malaysia, which is considered friendly to all nations, with excellent engagement with the United States and Europe, and increasing bilateral trade relations with China.

"Now the only consideration is, of course, trade and investment and being recognised as an independent country that can serve as a hub for international trade between the West and the East.

"We have played that role in the past, and we should be confident enough to determine our course of action, our priorities, and our strategic interests defined on our terms.

"This dynamic neutrality will certainly bear results. As a trading nation, we need to increase foreign trade; therefore, Malaysian waters should remain an area that is most welcoming to all maritime industries and countries wishing to continue trading with us," he said in his speech while officiating Malaysia Maritime Week (MMW) 2024. 

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/07/1083912/malaysias-waters-remain-open-trade