- Malaysia and Ethiopia plan joint business chamber with leadership support.
- Chamber may include joint commission and industry stakeholder involvement.
- Collaboration spans manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, and Islamic finance.
Malaysia and Ethiopia are preparing to collaborate on establishing the first business chamber linking the two nations. Investment, trade, and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz stated that both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Ethiopian president Taye Atske-Selassie Amde have expressed their backing for the proposal. He characterized the proposal, presented by a delegate at the Ethiopia High-Level Business Forum held at the Addis International Convention Centre, as a “good idea.”
Tengku Zafrul mentioned that the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry might act as the secretariat for the chamber, with his ministry able to assist in the process. “Upon our return to Malaysia, I will collaborate with my Ethiopian counterpart to guarantee the establishment of this business chamber, ensuring industry stakeholders are engaged from the beginning,” he stated.
Tengku Zafrul mentioned that another suggestion reviewed was the creation of a joint commission or trade committee to guarantee that both governments assist and oversee the execution of the business chamber and its initiatives. The forum saw participation from 80 business delegates from Malaysia and 54 from Ethiopia.
Also Read: Malaysia Welcomes Korean Investment in Rare Earth Minerals
Tengku Zafrul mentioned that the preliminary sectors recognized for collaboration encompass manufacturing, property development, construction, infrastructure, logistics, and transportation. In answer to an inquiry from another delegate interested in how the two countries might work together on Islamic finance, Tengku Zafrul proposed utilizing the function of the International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (Inceif).
The minister is included in a Malaysian group traveling with Anwar on an official visit to Ethiopia, occurring from Nov 18-20, aimed at enhancing trade with the African country. They will journey to Johannesburg, South Africa, for a business trip and to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit, followed by an official visit to Nairobi, Kenya.