PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's relations with Brazil are no ordinary diplomatic encounter but an engagement between two friends who share the same convictions, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister called for more expertise exchange and better trade investments between both countries, saying that diplomatic relations should expand beyond investment, politics and culture.
Anwar made the comments at a joint media conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Saturday (Oct 25) at the Seri Perdana Complex.
President Lula, as he is popularly known, arrived in Malaysia on Friday (Oct 24) for his three-day maiden official visit in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit, which will begin on Sunday (Oct 26).
“Let us make sure that our countries and regions work together to become one of the key pillars in ensuring that bilateral relations extend beyond great investments, politics and culture," Anwar said, while thanking Lula for his commitment to the plight of the Palestinians in Gaza.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Brazil for being one of the driving factors behind his inclination to focus on science and research in his government policies.
"Decades ago, when I was in Unesco, one country that excited me was Brazil, as it placed much importance on scientific research that can be a showcase for emerging and developing countries.
“I told President Lula that I was personally educated by (Brazilian scientist) Dr Jose Israel Vargas, who took me in as a young brother and taught me the importance of scientific research in governance. Those teachings influenced my push for more disbursement of research funds,” he said.
Anwar also congratulated Lula on the honorary doctorate, which the President is set to receive later today from Universiti Malaya.
Earlier, during a bilateral meeting, both leaders reviewed the progress of Malaysia-Brazil ties and explored new avenues to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, semiconductors, science and technology, renewable energy, halal industry, agriculture, and health and education.
"We have expertise which we can share, and we are also looking at sectors where Brazil has skills to share with Malaysia, such as food technology," said Anwar.
The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues, including cooperation under the United Nations, BRICS, and Asean, Brazil’s COP30 Presidency, and collaboration through the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
Following the meeting, several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged, covering semiconductors, science and innovation, and think-tank collaboration, along with an Exchange of Notes on diplomatic training and a Letter of Intent on cooperation in genetic resources and biotechnology.
On Sunday, the Brazilian President will attend the opening ceremony of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, and deliver remarks at the 20th East Asia Summit before joining the Gala Dinner hosted by Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, on Oct 27.
Lula will also participate in the Asean Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) on Oct 25 and 26.
In 2024, Brazil was Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, with total bilateral trade amounting to RM20.36bil (US$4.46bil). Malaysia’s exports included electrical and electronic products, palm oil, rubber and halal pharmaceuticals, while imports comprised ores, processed food and petroleum products.
