PM Anwar Makes Courtesy Call On President El-Sisi In Cairo
By Nashir Mansor
CAIRO, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Sunday paid a courtesy call on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace as part of his official visit to Egypt.
In a statement Sunday, Anwar said that he and El-Sisi had comprehensive discussions aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
"We explored opportunities across multiple key sectors, including investment, trade, palm oil, the halal industry, education, tourism, health, and the development of natural resources and renewable energy.
"I conveyed Malaysia’s appreciation for Egypt’s support in our participation in BRICS, underscoring our shared commitment to fostering greater economic collaboration and sustainable development,” he said in the statement, issued just after the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.
Anwar said they also turned their attention to the pressing and deeply concerning situation in Palestine, recognising Egypt’s significant efforts, alongside Qatar and the United States, in seeking a resolution to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the aggression of the Zionist regime.
He said they also shared a deep concern over the escalating conflict in Lebanon, which threatens broader regional stability.
Anwar said he and El-Sisi agreed on the urgent need for both nations to take a more proactive and resolute stance to halt the violence, safeguard lives and uphold the principles of universal justice.
"Praying that ties between Malaysia and Egypt will continue to grow stronger for the mutual benefit of our people,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister in a posting on social media platform X said Malaysia appreciates Egypt's efforts in supporting the country's participation as a partner country of BRICS.
In addition to BRICS, he said his meeting with Abdel Fattah also touched on various matters “aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between our two nations.”
“We explored opportunities across multiple key sectors, including investment, trade, palm oil, the halal industry, education, tourism, health, and the development of natural resources and renewable energy,” he said.
“I conveyed Malaysia’s appreciation for Egypt’s support in our participation in BRICS, underscoring our shared commitment to fostering greater economic collaboration and sustainable development,” he added.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, is currently on a four-day official visit to Egypt.
On Oct 24, Malaysia was recognised as a BRICS partner country, along with 12 other countries, namely Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Anwar had expressed Malaysia's desire to join BRICS during a discussion with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on June 18 this year.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China, was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for rapidly developing economies. South Africa joined in 2010. The bloc later expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates.
BRICS represents about 40 per cent of the global population and contributes a cumulative gross domestic product (GDP) of US$26.6 trillion, or 26.2 per cent, to world GDP, almost equaling the economic strength of the Group of Seven (G7) countries.
-- BERNAMA
