Malaysia and South Africa strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on palm oil, automotive and halal sectors during ASEAN Summit meetings.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation with a key focus on positioning South Africa as a regional hub for Malaysian palm oil.
Other key areas of discussion during the bilateral meeting between Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and South African Trade Minister Parks Tau included expanding Proton’s market access and strengthening cooperation in the automotive sector and halal industry.
Tengku Zafrul emphasised the way forward to empower Malaysia as the ASEAN gateway to South Africa and South Africa as Malaysia’s gateway to the African continent in a post on X.
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He said there is vast potential to strengthen relations between Malaysia and South Africa in trade and investment.
The minister expressed confidence that the commitments made today will be the catalyst for a more dynamic growth.
The bilateral meeting with South Africa was held just ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits taking place from Oct 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The 47th ASEAN Summit hosted by Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair this year serves as a crucial platform to foster deeper collaboration while addressing regional and global challenges.
Besides ASEAN leaders, over 30 global leaders including US President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are scheduled to attend the summit.
This is the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chair since the bloc’s inception in 1967. – Bernama
