Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	PARLIAMENT HOUSE, WELLINGTON 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	26/03/96 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE OFFICIAL LUNCHEON HOSTED BY 
			PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND 



           Let  me  first  of all thank  you,  Mr.  Prime
    Minister and Mrs. Joan Bolger and the Government  of
    New   Zealand   for  the  very  warm   welcome   and
    hospitality  accorded to my wife and I, and  members
    of  my delegation since arriving in Wellington  this
    morning.
    
    2.    I  recall with fondness my last visit to  your
    beautiful   country  in  November  to   attend   the
    Commonwealth  Heads  of Government  Meeting.   I  am
    particularly  delighted to meet  you  again  and  to
    exchange  views  on issues of common  concern.   Our
    meeting  this morning has been very useful  and  has
    enabled  us to review the progress made in bilateral
    relations  since your last visit to Kuala Lumpur  in
    May  1994.  The discussions we have had revealed yet
    again  how  much our views and aspirations coincide.
    I  can assure you, Mr. Prime Minister, that Malaysia
    is  firmly  committed  to  strengthening  the  close
    relations that exist between our two countries.
    
    3.    I  am  also  glad that we have  been  able  to
    witness   the  signing  of  a  number  of  bilateral
    instruments  in the field of education, defence  and
    information.  Of special significance is the signing
    of   the   instrument   on  "The   Working   Holiday
    Arrangement"  which  would allow  citizens  of  both
    countries  to  enjoy  an extended  holiday  in  each
    other's  country  whilst engaging in  some  form  of
    employment.  As you may recall, this was essentially
    your  own idea which we fully support.  New  Zealand
    is  the only country that Malaysia has entered  into
    such an arrangement.  I can confidently say that the
    scheme  is a practical one that would go a long  way
    to  generating better understanding and  cooperation
    between  the peoples of our two countries.   I  hope
    the scheme can be implemented as soon as possible.
    
    4.    Bilateral relations between Malaysia  and  New
    Zealand  have  seen  encouraging progress  over  the
    years.   Cooperative efforts in the field of  trade,
    investment, education, tourism, defence and  science
    and  technology  have been enhanced through  regular
    exchanges  of  visits  at both the  ministerial  and
    senior  official levels.  The establishment  of  the
    Malaysia-New  Zealand Business Council  in  1992  in
    Kuala  Lumpur and its sister organisation,  the  New
    Zealand-Malaysia  Business  Council,  in   1993   in
    Wellington  have given added impetus to  efforts  at
    promoting  greater  trade and  economic  cooperation
    between   our   two   countries.    Malaysia    also
    appreciates the close links that we have established
    as  members  of  the Five Power Defence  Arrangement
    (FPDA)  and  the  Commonwealth.   Such  links   have
    brought us closer together in the pursuit of  common
    objectives.
    
    5.    Malaysia sees tremendous potentials  for  both
    countries  to  increase investments in each  other's
    country   particularly  in  the  areas   of   timber
    processing,   food  processing  and  tourism.    New
    Zealand's  current level of investment in  Malaysia,
    amounting  to a total of 23 projects with an  equity
    of   US$20.8  million  and  total  proposed  capital
    investment already approved of US$40.54 million,  is
    relatively   small  considering  the   opportunities
    available.  More efforts should therefore be made by
    both  sides  to  promote investments.   I  hope  the
    presence  of  key business leaders in my  delegation
    would  contribute towards this objective.  Malaysian
    and  New Zealand companies could also look into  the
    possibility    of    undertaking    joint    venture
    arrangements in third countries like Vietnam, India,
    Cambodia and China.
    
    6.   In the field of education, Malaysia appreciates
    New  Zealand's continued support and cooperation  in
    the  various mutually beneficial programmes  between
    tertiary  level  institutions of the two  countries.
    These include twinning programmes, teacher education
    programmes  and exchanges of visits and  attachments
    of students and scholars.  In 1994 alone, there were
    1,306 Malaysian students pursuing various courses in
    New  Zealand.  Likewise Malaysia hopes  to  see  New
    Zealand students taking advantage of the educational
    facilities available in Malaysia.  It is hoped  that
    both  our  countries  will continue  to  collaborate
    closely in education in the years ahead.
    
    7.    Malaysia  is  also happy to  see  New  Zealand
    getting  closer  to  Asia with a view  to  fostering
    better   understanding   and   mutually   beneficial
    relations with the various countries concerned.  The
    establishment  of the 'ASIA 2000'  Foundation  is  a
    clear    testimony   of   this.    Similarly,    the
    establishment  of  the 'Chair of Malay  Studies'  at
    Victoria University as well as the setting up of the
    New  Zealand  Asia Institute at Auckland  University
    for which I have been given the honour to officially
    open during the visit are positive developments.
    
    8.    The economic dynamism of South East Asia,  the
    Asia   Pacific  and  Asia  generally  provides  vast
    opportunities for all countries in the region.   But
    uncertainties  and challenges continue  to  prevail.
    We  continue to suffer the consequences of decisions
    made  outside  our  regions.  In this  context,  New
    Zealand can certainly play a constructive role.   We
    appreciate  your active participation in  the  ASEAN
    Post  Ministerial Conference and the ASEAN  Regional
    Forum  and  will continue to work closely  with  New
    Zealand  in  the  interest of peace,  stability  and
    prosperity in the region.
    
    9.    Before I conclude, may I once again thank you,
    Mr.  Prime  Minister and Mrs. Joan  Bolger  for  the
    gracious hospitality accorded to my wife and I,  and
    members of my delegation.