Malaysian PM calls on Egypt to boost palm oil imports from his country

Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed his country’s interest in increasing cooperation with Egypt in the energy and economic sector.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister of Malaysia met virtually with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to share the macroeconomic outlook for both countries and ideas to expand economic cooperation.

In a step intended to enhancing their corporation, Muhyiddin has called on Egypt, the largest Malaysian palm oil importer in Africa, to boost future palm oil imports from the country.

Muhyiddin also proposed a deal for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between both countries, which was well received by Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

According to an official statement released on Friday by the Malaysian government, Muhyiddin explained: "During our first virtual conference yesterday, I suggested that it is time for Malaysia to reinvigorate ties with Egypt and President El Sisi welcomed this suggestion and called for top leaders from both countries to deliberate on this."

"We also discussed various areas of mutual interest, especially to enhance cooperation in trade, economy, education, tourism, and infrastructure development," the statement added.

In their meeting on Thursday, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen ongoing cooperation between two countries on higher education, electronics, medicine, etc.

The Malaysian leader also praised Egypt's constructive role in brokering a ceasefire agreement between Palestine and Israel that came into force last month.

In this regard, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hishammuddin Hussein said early Friday: "Malaysia will also contribute USD 1M to assist work towards rebuilding Gaza’s COVID19 Testing Facility that was destroyed by the Israeli attacks."