Auckland: The High Commission of Malaysia in New Zealand has expressed its full support for USANITA group’s mission to empower Malaysian women entrepreneurs to expand into international markets, particularly in the Australasian region. In a statement today, the Malaysian High Commissioner to New Zealand Mazita Marzuki said USANITA is a dynamic platform that plays a significant role in advancing women’s participation in cross-border economic sectors.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the High Commission of Malaysia in New Zealand supports USANITA’s strategic programmes in New Zealand, which reflect Malaysia’s strengths in entrepreneurship, culture, and economic diplomacy. This was highlighted after the soft launch ceremony of ‘Bridge to Brilliance (BtB) 4.0: Australasia’ held by USANITA at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Auckland. The BtB 4.0 programme includes a traditional Malaysian heritage fashion showcase in conjunction with Malaysia Day celebrations in Wellington this September.
In addition, the ‘Taste of Malaysia’ campaign will promote halal products by Malaysian entrepreneurs, while screenings of Malaysian films and student-produced short films will serve as a platform for progressive and inclusive cultural diplomacy. Mazita stated that this strategic collaboration aligns with Malaysia’s role as ASEAN chair this year and the 62nd Malaysia Day celebrations. She expressed confidence that the partnership with USANITA will enhance Malaysia’s image on both regional and global stages.
Malaysia-New Zealand bilateral relations have been strengthened following the official visit by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Malaysia in September 2024, which opened new avenues for cooperation in trade, innovation, sustainability, and people-to-people ties. Meanwhile, USANITA chief executive officer Datuk Adzliana Hasan welcomed the High Commission’s support, calling it an official endorsement of the potential of Malaysian women in economic diplomacy.
Adzliana emphasized that BtB 4.0: Australasia will pioneer a new era of Malaysian women’s global participation, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. The programme has already begun with the production of two telemovies by USANITA titled ‘Poskad Cinta Dari Auckland’ and ‘Saling Tak Terlihat’, filming around Auckland and expected to conclude by mid-July. Another USANITA film titled ‘Nafs’, directed, written, and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Erma Fatima, is scheduled to begin production in New Zealand this September.
The BtB programme is a high-impact initiative by USANITA aimed at empowering Malaysian entrepreneurs, particularly women and members of the B40 income group. Adzliana mentioned that phases one and two of BtB, which explored opportunities in Malaysia and Indonesia, were launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The third phase, held in the United Kingdom earlier this year, made history when USANITA signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Oxford’s Said Business School to provide world-class executive education to Malaysians.
BtB 4.0: Australasia is also part of Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen inclusive regional development in conjunction with its ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship.