Malaysia and Egypt eye easier travel, more business as trade surges, says PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya on October 10, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 10 Oct 2026 4:50 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 — Malaysia and Egypt will focus on expanding trade and investment cooperation, improving flight connectivity and exploring new areas of economic collaboration at a Joint Commission meeting in the first quarter of next year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the meeting, agreed upon by the two countries’ foreign ministers, would provide a platform to translate growing bilateral ties into broader economic opportunities.

He said bilateral trade had increased 74.7 per cent this year, but stressed that the growth came from a low base, leaving considerable room for further expansion.

“We have achieved this phenomenal increase this year, rising to 74.7 per cent of trade, but then it is from a very, very low base,” said the prime minister.

Anwar was speaking at a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in conjunction with the latter’s two-day state visit to Malaysia.

He said Malaysia saw considerable potential to expand cooperation with Egypt in several sectors, including semiconductors, electrical and electronics (E&E), agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Malaysia was also looking at emerging economies, including Brics countries, as potential sources of pharmaceutical products, with Egypt among the countries that could meet its needs.

“Egypt has the potential to become a destination for sourcing pharmaceuticals,” said Anwar.

He said improved air connectivity, including more regular flights, would also be important in facilitating trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.

Anwar described Egypt as an important country in the Arab world and Africa, adding that closer engagement would give Malaysia greater opportunities to expand its economic presence in the region.

Earlier, the prime minister and his counterpart held a four-eyed meeting at the Seri Perdana Complex here today, marking a significant step towards elevating Malaysia-Egypt relations to a strategic partnership after more than six decades of diplomatic ties.

The meeting, held in conjunction with El-Sisi’s two-day state visit to Malaysia, provided an opportunity for both leaders to review bilateral cooperation, explore new areas of collaboration and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

The Egyptian president, who is undertaking his first state visit to Malaysia since assuming office in June 2014, arrived at the complex at 12.58pm for a series of official engagements aimed at strengthening political, economic and diplomatic relations between the two nations.

In 2025, Egypt was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner in Africa, with total bilateral trade valued at RM3.08 billion (US$0.72 billion).

Malaysia’s exports to Egypt amounted to RM2.55 billion (US$0.60 billion), while imports totalled RM530 million (US$0.12 billion).

From January to August 2026, bilateral trade surged 74.7 per cent to RM3.49 billion (US$0.87 billion). — Bernama