Egypt, Malaysia: Historic Ties... Brilliant Future

The Egyptian-Malaysian ties began in the thirties of the 20th century with the arrival of Malaysian students to study at Al-Azhar University, whose number has now reached nearly 15,000 students.

The diplomatic relations began in 1959 following Malaysia's independence, and Malaysia appointed its ambassador to Cairo in 1960.

Both countries enjoy a unique relationship, which is reflected by many positive indicators of joint cooperation at all levels.

 

"SEE" gives a glimpse into "Egypt, Malaysia bilateral relations" at various levels: 

 

-Political relations: 

• Egypt maintains good political ties with Malaysia. In 1979, Former President Mubarak paid an official visit to Malaysia (as a vice-President at the time), and Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Mahathir Mohamad also paid a working visit to Egypt in 2003.

 

• The Malay Association was established in Egypt in 1930 and the Malaysian Embassy was established in 1960. The headquarters of the Association was granted by the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1959.

 

• Business visits from both sides have increased during the previous decades, in addition to various forums and conferences hosted in both countries.

 

• Egypt and Malaysia share the same views on global issues such as human rights, environmental issues, terrorism, refugee issues, and democratization.

 

• In 31\5\2021, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Malaysian counterpart Hesham El-Din Hussein hold talks via video conference. They discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries, in addition to various key regional and international issues of common interest.

-Mutual visits:

• In 2018, a high-level delegation from the Malaysian state-owned energy company "Petronas" visited Egypt and was received by Eng. Tarek El Molla, Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

 

• In 2007, the Malaysian Minister of Social Solidarity visited Cairo.

 

• In 2008,  Rais Yatim, Former Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited Egypt, to head his country's delegation during the 1st  joint committee between the two countries.

 

• In 2009, Egypt's trade minister visited Malaysia to discuss ways to ways to enhance trade exchange between both countries.

 

• In 2010, Egypt's Communications Minister paid an official visit to Malaysia.

 

Economic relations:

• Egypt is considered Malaysia's largest trading partner in the North Africa region.

 

• The volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounts to $500 million, the Malaysian Ambassador to Cairo said in Press statements in 2019.

 

• The most important Egyptian exports to Malaysia are aluminum ingots, oranges, phosphates, mineral salts, manufactured fertilizers, cotton spinning, carpets, rugs, textile products, and spices.

 

• The most important Malaysian exports to Egypt are palm oil, timber, electrical appliances, computers, cocoa, car tires, industrial detergents, and copper.

 

• On February 13, 2019, Egypt and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)  between the two companies; 'Misr Petroleum', and 'Malaysian Petronas', to exploit the surplus capacities of the Amreya Oil Complex.

 

• On 10/25/2018, El-Molla, and Wan Zulkiflee, former Chairman of the Malaysian Petronas Company discussed ways to enhance the company's activities and investments in Egypt.

 

Egyptian-Malaysian Business Council: 

• Egyptian-Malaysian Business council was launched in 2013.

 

• In 2019, an Egyptian trade delegation led by Egypt-Malaysia Business Council head Dr. Sherif El-Gabaly visited Malaysia. This visit paved the way for the two countries to cooperate in trade and commercial activities.

 

• During the visit, the delegation met with Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok and had a discussion on issues in the palm oil, timber, and rubber industries.

 

• They also had a meeting with Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi to talk about building up the tourism industry between the two countries.

Education:

• Cooperation in Education represents the main pillar in the relations between both states.

 

• Al-Azhar University offered18 scholarships in Islamic sciences for Malaysian students and 100 scholarships for training imams and preachers.

 

• Malaysian students flock to study scientific disciplines in the faculties of medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry, due to the well-known competence of Egyptian universities in teaching these disciplines.

 

• The Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education offers 20  scholarships for Malaysian students in legal and theoretical fields and 6 scholarships to study the Arabic language.