Anwar: Malaysia, Macau to strengthen strategic ties and unlock new business opportunities

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that this commitment also encompasses efforts to leverage the strategic positions of Macau and Hengqin, which are connected to the Greater Bay Area (GBA), for Malaysian companies to explore business opportunities. — Bernama pic

First Published: Friday, 04 Sep 2026 7:15 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — Malaysia and Macau remain committed to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing strategic cooperation across various fields, including trade and investment, finance, science and technology, education, and the convention and exhibition industry.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that this commitment also encompasses efforts to leverage the strategic positions of Macau and Hengqin, which are connected to the Greater Bay Area (GBA), for Malaysian companies to explore business opportunities.

Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, said the matter was discussed when he received a courtesy visit from Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai at his office in Putrajaya today.

The visit marks Sam’s inaugural trip to Malaysia since assuming office as Macau’s Chief Executive in December 2024.

“I also welcome the signing of several business agreements between Malaysian and Macau companies yesterday, and hope this consensus will serve as a catalyst for closer and broader economic cooperation between both parties,” he said in a post.

Anwar said the strategic locations of Macau and Hengqin within the GBA should be utilised by local companies, thereby reinforcing the country’s role as a gateway for Macau businesses to explore the ASEAN market.

He added that the discussion also touched on efforts to expand people-to-people ties through education and tourism, including the potential for cooperation in the halal and Muslim-friendly tourism sectors in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

The Prime Minister added that Malaysia is also ready to translate its growing relations with Macau into practical, meaningful, and mutually beneficial cooperation, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and the Macao SAR stood at RM367.7 million (USD85.8 million), an increase of 73.6 percent compared to 2024. — Bernama