Malaysia is set to expand trade with Ethiopia, opening access for products including chicken, birds’ nest, and animal feed, while also offering expertise in oil palm cultivation and high-quality seedlings, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. Following a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali on Wednesday, Anwar said he proposed a review of import tariffs on Malaysian palm oil products, which are gaining traction in the Ethiopian market.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen collaboration in tourism, education, health, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and research, while continuing Malaysia’s support for Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
“We reaffirmed our commitment to elevate bilateral relations to a more strategic phase, encompassing expanded trade, investment, human capital development, and enhanced cooperation in new economic sectors,” Anwar said, adding that both countries would initiate regular consultations and various initiatives to deepen people-to-people connectivity.
Highlighting emerging opportunities, Anwar pointed to artificial intelligence, semiconductors, the halal industry, and cybersecurity, noting the potential for collaboration through memorandums of understanding between Malaysian and Ethiopian business chambers. He also welcomed increased participation from Ethiopian companies in trade missions and business-matching activities.
Anwar expressed gratitude for Ethiopia’s support for Malaysia’s bid to join BRICS and congratulated the country for being selected to host the COP32 climate summit in 2027, a recognition of its leadership in global green initiatives.
Ethiopia, Malaysia’s 26th-largest trading partner in Africa in 2024, was the first stop on Anwar’s African tour. From Addis Ababa, he will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders Summit from Nov 20 to 23, then to Nairobi, Kenya, from Nov 23 to 24, before returning to Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar is accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
