ADDIS ABABA: Malaysia is eager to tap the vast potential that Ethiopia has to offer, through stronger collaboration and partnerships, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said trade and investment partnerships will be government-driven and will also come from the private sector.
“During my discussions with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, both of us agreed to do more to boost trade between our two countries and we are committed to bring relations between the two countries to a new chapter.
“We concurred that we need to explore all possibilities and avenues to see stronger cooperation between Malaysia and Ethiopia in all areas,” Anwar told the Malaysian media at the end of his three-day visit on Thursday (Nov 20).
The Prime Minister said that Addis Ababa’s strategic location, where the African Union’s headquarters is, also serves as key consideration as to why Malaysia needs to boost its trade with Ethiopia.
Among key areas where Malaysia and Ethiopia can potentially explore cooperation is property development, construction, infrastructure, logistics and transportation.
The Prime Minister said with the country growing economically fast, Malaysia is also eyeing other components such as the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals, furniture and the halal industry.
Anwar said the presence of 80 representatives of Malaysian companies in this trip reflects their keen interest to explore possibilities available in Ethiopia.
Malaysia’s key export to Ethiopia is mainly palm oil and palm oil-based products and electrical and electronics.
On his four-eyed meeting with Abiy Ahmed, Anwar said Malaysia is ready to open access to products for export to Ethiopia, and proposed a tariff review for Malaysian palm oil products which has gained popularity in the Ethiopian market.
The products include chicken, bird's nest, poultry feed, aside from offering expertise in oil palm cultivation and quality seedlings.
He said both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in tourism, education, health, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and research, while continuing Malaysia's support for Ethiopia's economic reform agenda through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
"We reaffirmed our commitment to elevate bilateral relations to a more strategic phase, encompassing expanded trade, investment, human capital development and enhanced cooperation in new economic sectors," said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, in a statement.
He added that Malaysia welcomes tangible progress, including agreement to initiate a regular consultation mechanism and various initiatives that broaden cooperation in development and connectivity between the peoples of both countries.
"I also highlighted the vast potential in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, the halal industry, cybersecurity and emerging opportunities through a memorandum of understanding framework between the business chambers of both nations,” he said.
Anwar also expressed appreciation for Ethiopia's support for Malaysia's aspiration to join BRICS, and congratulated the country on its selection as host of the COP32 climate summit in 2027 a major recognition of its leadership in the global green agenda.
