Cairo, November 9, 2024 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Egypt from November 9-12 signifies a pivotal moment for Malaysia-Egypt relations, marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The visit, hosted at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is expected to strengthen strategic cooperation across multiple sectors, according to Malaysia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Datuk Mohd Tarid Sufian.
The Prime Minister, set to arrive in Cairo on Saturday evening, will be officially welcomed at the Al Ittihadiya Palace on Sunday, followed by a high-level bilateral meeting. Discussions are anticipated to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, defence, tourism, education, and religious affairs, with a focus on expanding ties in the halal industry, health, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability.
A significant focus of the visit will be the issue of Palestine, highlighting both nations’ shared concerns over regional and global challenges. Anwar and El-Sisi are also scheduled to witness the signing of MOUs, including a collaboration with Al-Azhar Al-Sharif’s Faculty of Islamic Studies and a religious affairs agreement.
In addition to diplomatic engagements, Anwar will deliver a public lecture at Al-Azhar University, meet with local industry leaders, launch the Proton Saga assembly operations centre, and engage with Malaysian students in Egypt.
“This visit holds great historical significance, aligning with the date of the establishment of Malaysia-Egypt diplomatic relations on November 10, 1958,” Ambassador Mohd Tarid noted, underlining the enduring partnership between the two countries.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and other key ministers, underscoring the broad scope of the bilateral agenda. Egypt, Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner in Africa, saw trade reach RM3.35 billion in 2023, with a notable 21.4% increase in trade recorded from January to September 2024. This upward trend suggests that trade between the two nations will likely surpass previous levels this year.
