Malaysia, South Africa to deepen cooperation with focus on palm oil, automotive and halal areas

Other key areas of discussion during the bilateral meeting between Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and South African Trade Minister Parks Tau today were expanding Proton's market access, as well as strengthening cooperation in the automotive sector and halal industry.

"We emphasised the way forward to empower Malaysia as the ASEAN gateway to South Africa and South Africa as Malaysia's gateway to the African continent," Tengku Zafrul said in a post on X.

He said there is vast potential to strengthen relations between Malaysia and South Africa in trade and investment.

"Insya-Allah, the commitments (made today) will be the catalyst for a more dynamic growth," he said.

The bilateral meeting with South Africa was held just ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits taking place from Oct 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

The 47th ASEAN Summit, hosted by Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair this year under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", serves as a crucial platform to foster deeper collaboration while addressing regional and global challenges in a cohesive, inclusive manner.

Besides ASEAN leaders, US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, are among the over 30 global leaders scheduled to attend.

This is the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chair since the bloc's inception in 1967, with the previous chairmanships in 2015, 2005, 1997 and 1977.