PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Egypt are eyeing the expansion of trade and investment cooperation, improving flight connectivity and exploring new areas of economic collaboration between the two countries, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said bilateral trade between Malaysia and Egypt saw a significant increase of 74.7% this year.
“We have achieved this phenomenal increase this year. Nevertheless, there is still room for further expansion,” he said at a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
El-Sisi was here for a two-day state visit to Malaysia, at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
He is the first Egyptian president to visit Malaysia in nearly three decades.
In 2025, Egypt was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner in Africa, with total bilateral trade valued at RM3.08bil.
Malaysia’s exports to Egypt amounted to RM2.55bil, while imports totalled RM530mil.
Anwar said Malaysia sees considerable potential to expand cooperation with Egypt in several sectors, including semiconductors, electrical and electronics, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
He said improved air connectivity, including more regular flights, would also be important in facilitating trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.
Describing Egypt as an important country in the Arab world and Africa, Anwar said that closer engagement would give Malaysia greater opportunities to expand its economic presence in the region.
The Prime Minister said his discussions with El-Sisi also touched on pressing international developments, including unresolved tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the implications for Iran.
Meanwhile, El-Sisi has extended an invitation to Sultan Ibrahim and Anwar to visit Egypt.
He also touched on cooperation with Malaysia in key areas such as energy and renewable energy, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture and food industries.
El-Sisi said both countries are seeking to translate their strong bilateral relations into tangible outcomes.
He added that the potential for collaboration is significant, provided that both countries combined their capabilities with strong political will and commitment.
“I believe that the understanding, the mutual trust and the reciprocal political will of both parties shall enhance our cooperation and take our relationship to a whole new level,” he said.
Earlier, Sultan Ibrahim had hosted a state banquet at Istana Negara in honour of El-Sisi and the Egyptian government delegation.
