PUTRAJAYA, Oct 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a four-eyed meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Seri Perdana Complex here today, marking a significant step towards elevating Malaysia-Egypt relations to a Strategic Partnership after more than six decades of diplomatic ties.
The meeting, held in conjunction with El-Sisi’s two-day State Visit to Malaysia, provided an opportunity for both leaders to review bilateral cooperation, explore new areas of collaboration and exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
The Egyptian President, who is undertaking his first State Visit to Malaysia since assuming office in June 2014, arrived at the complex at 12.58 pm for a series of official engagements aimed at strengthening political, economic and diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The programme began with a guestbook-signing ceremony and an official photography session before Anwar and El-Sisi proceeded to their closed-door meeting.
The two leaders were also scheduled to lead bilateral discussions involving delegations from both countries, focusing on expanding cooperation in key sectors, particularly trade, investment and economic development.
Among the Cabinet ministers present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan
A key highlight of the engagements is the proposed elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting the shared commitment of Malaysia and Egypt to advancing cooperation to a higher level.
Both leaders were also scheduled to witness the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs), aimed at further strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
A joint press conference is scheduled to follow the bilateral discussions, during which Anwar and El-Sisi were expected to outline the outcomes of their engagements and the future direction of Malaysia-Egypt relations.
Anwar is also scheduled to host an official hi-tea reception in honour of the Egyptian President.
The programme included an exhibition featuring the new Proton Saga and Modenas models, showcasing Malaysias’s automotive industry and homegrown brands.
The high-level engagement comes amid growing economic ties between Malaysia and Egypt, with bilateral trade surging 74.7 per cent to RM3.49 billion (US$0.87 billion) in the first eight months of 2026.
The figure has already exceeded the RM3.08 billion (US$0.72 billion) recorded for the whole of 2025, highlighting the expanding trade relationship and growing economic potential between the two countries.
In 2025, Egypt was Malaysia’s seventh-largest trading partner in Africa, with Malaysian exports valued at RM2.55 billion (US$0.60 billion), while imports amounted to RM530 million (US$0.12 billion).
Malaysia and Egypt established diplomatic relations in 1959 and have maintained longstanding cooperation in various fields, including education, trade and investment, alongside close engagement on regional and international platforms.
El-Sisi’s State Visit, undertaken at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and provide fresh momentum for stronger strategic and economic cooperation between the two nations.
