CAIRO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s four-day official visit to Egypt, beginning today, is expected to be a significant milestone in the relations between Malaysia and Egypt, as stated by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Datuk Mohd Tarid Sufian. The visit is taking place at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and will focus on diversifying and strengthening cooperation between the two countries, laying a foundation for addressing regional and global issues of mutual interest.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a welcoming ceremony for the Prime Minister will be held tomorrow at the Al Ittihadiya Palace, followed by a bilateral meeting. This meeting aims to advance bilateral relations through enhanced cooperation in several sectors, including trade and investment, defense and security, tourism, education, and religious affairs. Discussions are also expected to explore new collaborations in the halal industry, health, renewable energy, water, natural resources, and environmental sustaina
bility.
Mohd Tarid mentioned that both leaders are expected to discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern, with a particular focus on Palestine. Additionally, Anwar and El-Sisi are scheduled to witness the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Malaysia and Al-Azhar Al-Sharif for collaboration at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, as well as an MoU on cooperation in religious affairs between Malaysia and Egypt.
The Prime Minister’s agenda also includes delivering a public lecture at Al-Azhar University, engaging with local industry leaders, launching the Proton Saga assembly operations center, and meeting with Malaysian students in Egypt. This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Egypt, making the visit historically significant. The visit coincides with the anniversary date of the establishment of diplomatic relations on November 10.
Accompanying the Prime Minister on this visit are Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Minister of I
nvestment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.
Egypt was Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner among African nations, with bilateral trade valued at RM3.35 billion last year. From January to September 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries was recorded at RM3 billion, marking a 21.4 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. This year’s trade value is expected to surpass last year’s performance.