He said New Zealand was already cooperating with a few countries like the European Community, Canada and Australia in the matter and currently in negotiations with China and India. “"We will be glad if Malaysia can join us,” he said at the press conference after a meeting with Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui at the Fibre & Biocomposite Development Centre here.

Anderton said the partnership would be more on the exchange of information relating to the technology between the two countries. He said Malaysia would be a suitable partner in creating opportunities in the wood industry because of its historical background in producing high quality wood.

“Through this partnership we also want to ensure that Malaysia will be at the same level with Russia and other countries which are actively undertaking deforestation,” he said.