Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to enhance strategic cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and investment, defence, renewable energy and nuclear, tourism, sustainability, and artificial intelligence, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this was the outcome of bilateral meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on January 14 and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai on January 13. The Prime Minister stated that his visit to the UAE also witnessed the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) aimed at boosting trade and market cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and ASEAN member states.

The Prime Minister noted that this first free trade agreement with a GCC country aims to increase Malaysia's exports to the UAE to US$13.5 billion by 2032. During his press conference at the end of his UAE visit, he mentioned that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed on cooperation in the AI Initiative to strengthen Malaysia's security ecosystem.

Anwar discussed with Sheikh Mohamed the UAE President's participation in the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Malaysia at the end of May. He remarked that the visit successfully achieved its objective of strengthening bilateral cooperation with the UAE.

The Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings with Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta in efforts to enhance Malaysia's relations with Africa. He noted that Kenya, which has 60 years of diplomatic relations with Malaysia, is the largest importer of palm oil in Africa and serves as an export hub in East Africa. In discussions with Uganda, which has 63 years of diplomatic relations with Malaysia, topics included reducing trade imbalance, the development of the Eco Satellite City in Nakigalala Estate, as well as education and capacity building.