Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is aiming to bolster its investment and trade cooperation with Australia as a strategy to navigate the prevailing global economic uncertainty, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated. This initiative includes expanding mutually advantageous collaborations that could benefit both countries.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of Australia as a partner, noting the strong ties between the two nations, which encompass business and interpersonal connections. In the current unpredictable environment, there is a significant reliance on each other. Malaysia currently imports substantial amounts of fertiliser and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Australia, while Australia receives considerable quantities of urea fertiliser from Petronas. Efforts are underway to explore further enhancements in cooperation between the two countries.
Mohamad made these remarks to Bernama following a bilateral meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC), and related meetings. The session, lasting approximately 30 minutes, also included the participation of Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, Director-General of the ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat at the Foreign Ministry Datuk Zanariah Zainal Abidin, and Malaysia's Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony.
Australia ranks as Malaysia's 12th largest trading partner in 2025, with total bilateral trade amounting to RM78.63 billion (USD18.38 billion). Their cooperation extends beyond trade, reflecting a high level of interdependence in the energy sector. According to 2025 bilateral data, Australia supplied about 96 per cent of Malaysia's LNG imports, playing a vital role in supporting the gas network in Peninsular Malaysia and facilitating the National Energy Transition Roadmap. Simultaneously, Malaysia is a key supplier of fuel to Australia, accounting for about 17 per cent of Australia's total fuel imports. These trade flows signify a well-established commercial supply chain rather than temporary arrangements.