The comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, said the cooperation between Petronas Abu Dhabi Sdn Bhd and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has once again proven Malaysian companies’ capabilities to compete on a global level.

“The cooperation also reflects the close bilateral ties between Malaysia and the UAE at various levels, including between the leaders of the two countries and their people,” he said in a statement.

The agreement between Petronas’ wholly owned subsidiary and Adnoc involves cooperation to explore and appraise Unconventional Onshore Block 1, covering a concession area of 2,000 sq km in the Al Dhafra region.

The King expressed hope that the cooperation would open a new chapter of strategic cooperation in various sectors between both countries for their mutual benefit and shared prosperity.

Fadil said Sultan Abdullah witnessed the agreement signing ceremony between Petronas Abu Dhabi Sdn Bhd and Adnoc in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

UAE president Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan and industry and advanced technology minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who is also the managing director and CEO of Adnoc, were present.

Also in attendance were international trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz and Petronas president and group CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik.

Sultan Abdullah is on a four-day special visit to Abu Dhabi at the invitation of the UAE president.

It is his fifth visit to Abu Dhabi since being installed as the 16th Yang di- Pertuan Agong in 2019.