Malaysia looks to elevate its relations with Egypt to the level of a strategic partnership
The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its aspiration to enhance bilateral relations with Egypt during President Sisi's visit to Kuala Lumpur.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Kuala Lumpur, Oct 9 (KUNA) -- The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Friday its hope that the state visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Kuala Lumpur on October 9 and 10 will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and elevating them to the level of a strategic partnership.
The ministry said in a statement that the state visit, which marks the first visit by the Egyptian president to Malaysia since he assumed office in June 2014, was at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim. President el-Sisi will be accompanied by a number of Egyptian ministers and senior government officials.
The statement added that President el-Sisi will receive an official welcome ceremony, followed by a meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the National Palace in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. He will also hold talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to review progress in bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
It noted that following the talks, both sides will witness the signing ceremony for memoranda of understanding between the two countries.
On the economic front, the statement said that Egypt ranked seventh among Malaysia’s largest trading partners in Africa in 2025, with total bilateral trade reaching 3.08 billion Malaysian ringgit (approximately $753 million). It clarified that Malaysian exports to Egypt amounted to 2.55 billion ringgit (about $623 million) last year, while imports from Egypt were valued at 530 million ringgit (around $129 million).
The statement highlighted that total bilateral trade between the two countries rose by 74.7 percent between January and August 2026, reaching 3.49 billion Malaysian ringgit (approximately $853 million).
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Egypt date back to 1959, during which time the two countries have maintained friendly and close ties supported by bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The current visit represents a milestone in strengthening these 67-year-old relations by elevating them to a strategic partnership. (End) E.A.B./M.A.H.A.
