Egyptian-Malaysian free trade agreement in progress

Abdul Ghani said this in his reply to Ahram Online’s question on the extent of the cooperation between Malaysia and Egypt, during a press conference held on the sidelines of the two-day Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF KL 2024) kicked off in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

This forum was launched under the theme “Navigating Trading Challenges with Sustainable Solutions,” with the participation of a group of Egyptian companies.

Egypt is a main importer of Malaysian palm oil; moreover, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) has a regional office in Cairo among other seven global offices, including three in the Middle East region along with ones in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Egypt is already engaged in several multilateral trade agreements, including the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, the Agadir Free Trade Agreement, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), among others.

A platform of connection
 

The forum is hosted by the MPOC, offering a rich lineup of events including a conference, panel discussions, an exhibition, and a BizMatch session aimed at fostering business connections. 

The two-day event also aims at facilitating engagement among stakeholders from the Malaysian palm oil industry and international buyers, serving as a platform for discussing the latest advancements in the oils and fats sector, exploring market trends, and addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues.

It also offers extensive trade and networking opportunities that connect over 70 key international buyers from various regions, including the Middle East region, particularly from Egypt.

It is worth noting that the MPOF was held in May in Egypt, as Egypt is a key importer of oils and fats and a key palm oil importer from Indonesia and Malaysia in particular.