Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's achievements at Expo 2025 Osaka and its role as ASEAN Chair in 2025 have positioned the nation as a trusted partner in promoting sustainable growth and regional integration, paving the way for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and beyond.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) secretary general, Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob, highlighted Malaysia's record-breaking success at Expo 2025 Osaka as a testament to the country's competitiveness. The event showcased Malaysia's collaborative efforts across various ministries, states, and agencies, emphasizing its strengths on a global stage.
Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob stated that Expo 2025 Osaka has enhanced Malaysia's cultural diplomacy and opened pathways for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into Japanese and regional supply chains. This aligns with national priorities under the New Industrial Masterplan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), and the MADANI Economy. Investor interest was notably high in sectors such as semiconductors, advanced chemicals, green technology, and halal products.
To transform expo leads into tangible projects, MITI and its agencies have implemented structured follow-up mechanisms. This includes a new memorandum of cooperation between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) to expedite Japanese investment realization.
The Malaysia Pavilion at the Expo, held over six months, drew 3.52 million visitors, exceeding its initial target more than twofold. It generated RM24.45 billion in potential trade and investment leads, significantly surpassing the original RM13 billion goal, thereby reinforcing Malaysia's position as a dynamic hub for trade, investment, and regional leadership.
Additionally, 79 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements valued at RM6.04 billion were signed across high-impact sectors, including semiconductors, renewable energy, education, and agriculture.
Beyond the expo, Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair in 2025 has resulted in significant progress. During its chairmanship, Malaysia emphasized the importance of strengthening intra-ASEAN trade to enhance regional resilience and secure supply chains.
Malaysia has championed the review and signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) within 2025. This marks the first comprehensive update since 2009, aiming to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade and modernize the framework to better reflect the current global economic landscape.
Key frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the ASEAN Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Network align with Malaysia's NIMP 2030 ambitions for high-value manufacturing and innovation.