PETALING JAYA: Malaysia-United Kingdom ties will be enhanced with incoming British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ailsa Terry looking to strengthen bilateral trade between both countries.
Terry, who is set to begin her duties effective Thursday (Aug 10), said there is still untapped potential for trade and cooperation between the two countries, which she is looking forward to exploring.
“This is an exciting time for both the UK and Malaysia as we build a modern partnership based around our many shared interests.
“Building on the strong connections between our people and our shared history and values as fellow Commonwealth members, I believe there is huge potential for the UK and Malaysia to work more closely together,” she said in a statement today (Aug 7).
She said this included working together to boost trade, education, and technology, tackling climate emergency, and upholding the international rules-based system.
“There are also opportunities to (further) strengthen our defence partnership including through the Five Power Defence Arrangements,” the Oxford University English Literature degree holder said.
Besides bilateral relations, Terry said she was looking forward to working with Malaysia on key local and regional issues, which include regional security, stability and prosperity.
Prior to her post as High Commissioner, Terry served as the director of the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office inaugural Sanctions Directorate from 2022 to 2023, which she established as part of the country’s response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
On her diplomatic experience, Terry has also been posted to Islamabad, Pakistan and the UK Mission to the European Union in Brussels as well as serving as a political adviser to the EU Special Representative to Afghanistan in 2011.
Terry will be succeeding Charles Hay and is expected to present her credentials to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah later this month.
