Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent two-day official visit to France has been described as a major success by French President Emmanuel Macron. This visit has not only revived diplomatic ties between Malaysia and France but has also opened up new opportunities for cooperation in economic growth, education, energy, aviation, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

High-Level Meetings to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held several important meetings with top French leaders. The most significant was his bilateral meeting with President Macron at the historic Elysee Palace in Paris. Anwar also met with François Bayrou and other key officials. These meetings focused on how both countries could work together to improve trade, create jobs, promote technology transfer, and build mutual respect in international affairs.

President Macron shared that Anwar’s visit was meaningful because it was the first official visit by a high-ranking Malaysian leader in the past 15 years. He said the visit marked a new chapter in the strong friendship between France and Malaysia, and he appreciated Malaysia’s efforts to build equal partnerships with European countries.

Anwar’s Speech at Sorbonne University Inspires French Audience

On the same day, Prime Minister Anwar delivered a special lecture at the world-famous Sorbonne University in Paris. His speech was titled “Southeast Asia and Europe: Recalibrating the terms of engagement.” In his speech, Anwar urged European countries to treat Southeast Asia as equal partners in all aspects of cooperation, including politics, economy, and culture.

He said Southeast Asia is not just a market for European products but a region with talented people, resources, and strong economies. The audience, which included students, professors, policymakers, and civil society leaders, appreciated his speech and gave him a warm welcome. This speech was praised by President Macron as an “important moment” that will shape future relations between Southeast Asia and Europe.

Macron Reaffirms France’s Commitment to ASEAN

President Macron highlighted France’s commitment to working closely with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries. He shared that his recent visits to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore in May showed France’s intention to build deeper ties with Southeast Asia.

He said France supports regional projects like electricity connectivity to improve energy sharing between countries and also backs civil nuclear energy development to ensure energy security and reduce carbon emissions in Southeast Asia.

Anwar Invites Macron to Visit Malaysia

Prime Minister Anwar invited President Macron to visit Malaysia after attending the Francophonie Summit in Cambodia next year. He said such a visit will further strengthen the close ties between the two countries and create new opportunities for cooperation in various fields.

AirAsia Signs Billion-Dollar Deal for Airbus Aircraft

One of the major highlights of Anwar’s visit was the signing of an agreement by AirAsia to buy long-range Airbus 321XLR aircraft worth US$12.25 billion (RM51.72 billion). These aircraft will be delivered by 2028. This is a significant step for Malaysia’s aviation sector as the new planes will enable AirAsia to expand its long-haul routes to Europe, the Middle East, and North Asia, offering passengers more travel options at affordable prices.

Prime Minister Anwar said this purchase will help boost Malaysia’s aviation industry, create thousands of jobs for Malaysians in airline services, aircraft maintenance, and airport operations, and also support the local tourism sector by bringing in more foreign travellers.

Sarawak Strengthens Its Airline Services with France

Anwar also shared that Sarawak is working to strengthen its airline services through cooperation with French companies. He hopes that French aerospace companies will continue to manufacture aircraft parts in Malaysia, which will benefit the local economy by creating jobs for engineers, technicians, and supporting industries.

Petronas Expands Energy Ventures with French Partners

In the energy sector, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company Petronas is working with partners from France on joint projects in Latin America and Africa. These projects focus on exploring new oil and gas fields, which will help Malaysia secure energy resources for its people and enhance its position in the global energy market.
New Investment Agreements for Malaysia’s Financial Sector

Another important agreement signed during the visit was a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia’s 3P Capital Advisers and France’s leading private investment company Ardian. This MoU will allow both companies to explore investment opportunities in private markets, giving Malaysians access to new investment options beyond traditional stocks and fixed deposits.

Prime Minister Anwar said this will help grow Malaysia’s financial sector and encourage innovation in investment management for Malaysians looking to expand their wealth.

Imerys to Expand Mineral Operations in Malaysia

Anwar also met with Imerys, a French industrial mineral processing company that has been operating in Malaysia for over 25 years. Imerys promised to expand its operations in Malaysia and support the country in building a high-value, environmentally friendly manufacturing sector.

This expansion will bring in new technology, create jobs for Malaysian workers, and promote green manufacturing to reduce pollution and protect natural resources.

Arkema Considers New Investments in Malaysia

Another meeting was held with Arkema, a global leader in specialty chemicals. Arkema is considering new investments in Malaysia, which will help the chemical industry grow further and create more job opportunities for skilled workers in the country.

Malaysian Ministers Accompany Prime Minister on Visit

Prime Minister Anwar was accompanied on this visit by several ministers, including Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Deputy Minister of Energy Transition Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

Strong Malaysia-France Trade Ties

France remains one of Malaysia’s top five trading partners within the European Union. In 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and France reached RM15.95 billion (US$3.63 billion). Between January and May this year alone, trade was RM6.26 billion (US$1.49 billion). This strong trade relationship is expected to grow further in the coming years with new investments and cooperation agreements.

Anwar Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit

After completing his successful visit to France, Prime Minister Anwar travelled to Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit from July 5 to 7. At this summit, he will hold discussions with world leaders on strengthening global trade, enhancing economic ties, and promoting peace and prosperity worldwide.

Prime Minister Anwar’s visit to France has opened a new chapter in Malaysia-France relations. It shows Malaysia’s commitment to building strong partnerships with global powers to create jobs, strengthen its economy, and ensure sustainable development for all Malaysians in the years to come.