Kuala lumpur: Malaysia and South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, with a key focus on positioning South Africa as a regional hub for Malaysian palm oil. 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Zafrul highlighted the importance of empowering Malaysia as the ASEAN gateway to South Africa and South Africa as Malaysia's gateway to the African continent. He noted the vast potential to enhance relations between the two nations in trade and investment, expressing optimism that the commitments made during the meeting will serve as a catalyst for dynamic growth.

The bilateral meeting with South Africa took place just ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, scheduled from Oct 26 to 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The summit, hosted by Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', provides a platform to foster deeper collaboration while addressing regional and global challenges cohesively and inclusively.

Besides ASEAN leaders, global figures such as US President Donald Trump, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are among the over 30 leaders set to attend. This marks Malaysia's fifth term as the ASEAN Chair since the bloc's inception in 1967, with previous chairmanships in 2015, 2005, 1997, and 1977.