Accra:Malaysia and Egypt are set to enhance trade and investment cooperation, improve flight connectivity, and explore new economic collaboration areas at a Joint Commission meeting scheduled for the first quarter of next year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the meeting, agreed upon by the foreign ministers of both countries, aims to transform the growing bilateral relationship into broader economic opportunities. Anwar highlighted that bilateral trade had increased by 74.7 percent this year, though he noted that this growth was from a low base, indicating significant potential for further expansion.
The Prime Minister was speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who was on a two-day state visit to Malaysia. Anwar emphasized the potential for expanded cooperation in sectors such as semiconductors, electrical and electronics, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, with Egypt being a prospective partner in sourcing pharmaceutical products.
Improved air connectivity, including more regular flights, is also seen as crucial for facilitating trade, investment, and tourism between the two nations. Anwar described Egypt as a key country in the Arab world and Africa, suggesting that closer ties could enhance Malaysia's economic presence in the region.
A prior meeting between Anwar and President El-Sisi at the Seri Perdana Complex marked a significant step towards elevating Malaysia-Egypt relations to a strategic partnership after over sixty years of diplomatic connections. This meeting allowed the leaders to review bilateral cooperation, explore new collaboration areas, and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.
El-Sisi's visit, his first state visit to Malaysia since taking office in June 2014, included various official engagements aimed at bolstering political, economic, and diplomatic relations. In 2025, Egypt was Malaysia's seventh-largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade valued at RM3.08 billion (US$0.72 billion). From January to August 2026, trade surged 74.7 percent to RM3.49 billion (US$0.87 billion).