- Malaysia and Arab countries deepen cooperation in halal, energy, and food security.
- CEPA with UAE finalized, broader Arab trade diplomacy actively pursued.
- Malaysia highlights strengths: ASEAN hub, skilled workforce, infrastructure, and legal protections.
Malaysia aims to solidify its long-standing ties with Arab countries by deepening economic cooperation in fields that reflect common strategic interests.
MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz reiterated the importance of growing the historical ties of culture, religion, and trade that Malaysia has with Arab countries in a keynote address delivered by MITI Secretary General Hairil Yahri Yaacob.
“Malaysia is ready to partner with Arab countries in strengthening the global halal value chain, from certification to supply and logistics,” he stated at the Arab Malaysian Chamber of Commerce’s (AMCC) 15th Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.
Identified key areas encompass the energy transition, digital economy, and food security. He mentioned that Malaysia is ideally situated to provide knowledge in halal certification and logistics, work together in renewable energy and carbon markets, team up in fintech and digital infrastructure, and investigate agricultural projects to boost food resilience.
Tengku Zafrul highlighted Malaysia’s advantages as an investment hub, emphasizing its strategic location in ASEAN, proficient multilingual labor force, extensive infrastructure, and robust legal protections.
He assured Arab partners that government entities such as Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), and Invest Malaysia are prepared to support business requirements and maintain enduring collaboration.
“While trade and investment numbers matter, it is the trust between our people that forms the bedrock of long-term partnerships,” he said.
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Tengku Zafrul acknowledged the need for the partnership to extend beyond trade into education, culture, and technology. Over the years, the Middle East has become one of Malaysia’s most important trading partners, importing items from Proton cars to various goods and having a stake in projects in the halal industry. MITI has committed to maintaining its collaboration with Arab partners to enhance these trade connections.
Tengku Zafrul stated that Malaysia is enhancing trade diplomacy with the broader Arab region via formal agreements.
Hairil noted that Malaysia recently finalized a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates, expected to take effect once local legal procedures are finalized.