MALAYSIA wants stronger support from Egypt to expand the operations of national oil company Petronas and carmaker Proton in the North African country, as both governments seek to deepen economic and strategic cooperation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raised the matter during bilateral talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, urging Cairo to ensure a smooth operating environment for Malaysian companies and support their expansion plans.
The talks, led by both leaders and their respective delegations, also explored a proposed strategic partnership covering trade, investment, defence, education, healthcare, agriculture and commodities, tourism, air connectivity and women’s empowerment.
The talks resulted in both nations signing four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to expand cooperation in investment, higher education, tourism and women’s empowerment, witness by Anwar and El-Sisi.
An MoU on women’s empowerment was exchanged by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri and Egyptian Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates Minister Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty.
A higher education agreement was exchanged by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Abdelatty, who also represented Egypt in the tourism MoU with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
A separate agreement, covering investment cooperation, involved the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones.
The documents were exchanged by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Egyptian Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh.
The agreements form part of efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and widen cooperation across key sectors.
Anwar also acknowledged Egypt’s longstanding contribution to Malaysian education, particularly through Al-Azhar University, which has helped develop religious scholarship and train generations of Malaysian scholars through education, scholarships and teaching services.
He also expressed appreciation for visits by Sheikh Prof Ali Jum’ah and Sheikh Dr Usamah Sayyid Al-Azhari, citing their contributions to discussions on Islamic teachings and the wasatiyyah approach, which emphasises moderation, balance and mutual respect.
“May this deeply rooted friendship continue to be strengthened through joint efforts for the well-being of our people and the prosperity of both countries,” he said, expressing hope that the longstanding friendship would be strengthened through joint efforts for the welfare and prosperity of both nations.
El-Sisi was in Malaysia for a two-day state visit on the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
The Egyptian President left Malaysia at 4.38pm on Saturday after concluding his two-day state visit. His special aircraft took off from the Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Anwar and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin were present to bid farewell to the leader. - October 10, 2026
