US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan visited Penang as part of his final official engagements ahead of the end of his tenure this month.
Kagan visited Penang Institute in George Town where he took part in a closed-door roundtable discussion on the US-Malaysia economic relationship with the institute’s staff and researchers.
He presented a gift to executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng and delivered opening remarks to set the tone for the meeting.
During the session, Kagan highlighted the depth of bilateral economic ties, pointing to long-standing American investments in Malaysia and their role in job creation, trade expansion and broader economic growth.
He said US companies tended to take a long-term view, investing not just capital.
He touched on people-to- people links as another pillar of the relationship, describing Malaysia’s multicultural make-up as a strength.
Kagan, a career diplomat who joined the US Foreign Service in 1991, has spent much of his time handling European and Eurasian affairs, including postings related to Russia, Eastern Europe and NATO.
Before arriving in Kuala Lumpur in early 2024, he served as US ambassador to Bulgaria and held senior roles at the US State Department.
Kagan expressed appreciation for the hospitality he received during his time in Malaysia and said it remained in the US’ national interest to continue strengthening cooperation with the country, particularly in economic and people-to-people areas.
