Egypt and Malaysia upgrade ties to strategic partnership
The two countries agree to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, education, energy, digital economy and infrastructure
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Photo source: metamorworks / iStock
Egypt and Malaysia elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, with the two countries seeking to deepen cooperation across economic, educational, and technological fields. The decision is announced in a joint statement following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s state visit to Malaysia in October 2026.
The new status builds on a commitment made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and President El-Sisi in Cairo in November 2024. The leaders agree to accelerate efforts to develop a more dynamic and resilient partnership and to strengthen regular dialogue through existing bilateral mechanisms. They also agree to hold the second meeting of the Joint Committee between the two countries and the second round of bilateral consultations at the earliest opportunity.
Economic cooperation is identified as a key area for the upgraded partnership. Egypt and Malaysia aim to increase trade and investment and promote business-led projects in agriculture, the halal industry, education and technical and vocational training, digital transformation, renewable energy, infrastructure, automotive manufacturing, industry and semiconductors.
The two countries also highlight their strategic positions as potential gateways to wider markets. Egypt can serve as a gateway to Arab and African markets, while Malaysia provides access to the ASEAN region and broader Asian markets, as reported by MENA, a TV BRICS partner.
Education and human capital development remain another priority. The countries plan to strengthen academic ties through joint research, language programmes and student exchanges, alongside cooperation in religious and Arabic studies and technical and scientific fields. Malaysia also reaffirms its commitment to capacity-building cooperation with Egypt through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.
The joint statement also highlights the importance of air connectivity for tourism, trade and people-to-people ties, with both sides encouraging their national airlines to explore opportunities for closer cooperation.
Malaysia welcomes Egypt’s efforts to strengthen its engagement with ASEAN and supports its proposal to obtain Sectoral Dialogue Partner status with the association. The two countries also reaffirm their commitment to cooperation in multilateral organisations, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Regarding BRICS, Malaysia expresses its aspiration to join the group and its intention to work closely with Egypt and other BRICS members towards that goal, as well as to advance the Global South agenda.
President El-Sisi also invites King Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia to visit Egypt.
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