Kuala lumpur: Israel’s recent attack on Qatar is not expected to have a direct impact on Malaysia, particularly in terms of the oil industry and trade, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He assured that the ongoing conflict in Gaza has not yet disrupted trade flows or industrial activities in Malaysia, although the situation will be continuously monitored.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul addressed these concerns during the launch of the MyAERO Summit 2026 and the 10th anniversary celebration of the National Aerospace Industry Corporation (NAICO) Malaysia. He emphasized that unless the situation escalates, Malaysia does not anticipate any immediate impact on its industries, including aerospace.

Additionally, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the European Union’s recognition of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification as an encouraging development that could facilitate the progress of the Malaysia-EU free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The second round of FTA talks with the EU is slated for November, which is expected to address various challenges and enhance trade and investment relations between the EU and Malaysia.

The initial round of FTA discussions took place in Brussels, Belgium, from June 30 to July 4, 2025, covering 21 chapters that are currently under negotiation.