Kuala Lumpur: HE Ambassador of Malaysia to the State of Qatar Mohammad Faizal Razali expressed optimism about the participation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in the 1st ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit in Kuala Lumpur. His Excellency believes this involvement will open new avenues for collaboration between the regions, enhancing stability not only locally but also on a broader scale.
According to Qatar News Agency, Ambassador Razali emphasized that HH the Amir’s visit to Malaysia, which coincides with the Summit, is expected to further solidify the enduring ties between the regions and foster deeper cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The Summit aims to strengthen bilateral partnerships and set a model for multilateral cooperation among ASEAN, the GCC countries, and China through continuous dialogue and joint efforts, which would maximize the available potential and demonstrate a constructive commitment to the international community.
His Excellency highlighted the strategic collaboration phase between Malaysia and Qatar, with a strong focus on economic diplomacy. Both countries prioritize common interests in trade, investments, high-technology, energy, sustainability, and sports. Malaysia’s manufacturing and service sectors complement Qatar’s ambitious development plans, aligning with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. There is a growing emphasis on people-to-people ties, focusing on education, tourism, and cultural exchanges, with Malaysia offering high-quality educational opportunities, attracting an increasing number of Qatari students.
Ambassador Razali further noted the commitment of both countries to deepen collaboration in areas of mutual concern such as security, regional stability, and humanitarian efforts, especially concerning the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. This collaboration is underscored by intensified high-level visits and discussions, sharing a vision for peace, prosperity, and interconnectedness based on mutual trust and shared principles.
The Ambassador detailed the significant growth in bilateral trade, which increased by 48.9 percent in 2024, reaching RM6.3 billion (USD1.4 billion), compared to RM4.2 billion (USD911.9 million) in 2023. Qatar ranks as Malaysia’s 4th largest trading partner in West Asia, 7th largest export destination, and 3rd largest source of imports. Key exports from Malaysia to Qatar include iron and steel products, machinery, equipment, petroleum products, and palm oil-based products, with Malaysian companies active in Qatar’s trade and services sectors.
Additionally, Malaysia and Qatar are collaborating on humanitarian issues, such as supporting the Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, with significant assistance from the Qatar Fund for Development. This support has been crucial in aiding the 200,000 Rohingya refugees in Malaysia, with ongoing efforts to finalize a second phase agreement in their medical and health pilot project.
Ambassador Razali concluded by stating that the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit represents a crucial milestone in ASEAN’s engagement with external partners, uniting three vibrant regions at a time of global economic uncertainty. The Summit will focus on economic resilience, shared prosperity, and advancing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, food security, and technology, building on the progress achieved at the inaugural ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh in 2023. The Malaysia-GCC Free Trade Agreement is also expected to be officially launched, marking a significant step in strengthening economic ties and expanding trade and investment flows.