European Business Leaders, Johari Ghani To Meet In Malaysia-EU FTA Talks
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Business leaders from nearly 30 European companies will visit Kuala Lumpur next week to meet Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani and senior government officials, as negotiations on the Malaysia-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) advance towards a targeted conclusion in 2027.
Led by the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC), the three-day visit from Aug 4-6 aims to strengthen trade and investment ties between Malaysia and Europe through in-depth dialogue, with European companies keen to explore investment opportunities across key growth sectors.
These include artificial intelligence and the digital economy, advanced manufacturing, health and nutrition, clean energy, and sustainable infrastructure.
“The visit comes at a time of renewed momentum in ASEAN-EU trade relations, as the EU works to conclude FTA negotiations with three ASEAN member states, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand by next year,” the EU-ABC said in a statement today.
EU-ABC executive director Chris Humphrey said European businesses strongly support the push to conclude the Malaysia-EU FTA negotiations in 2027.
“The political will on both sides is clear, reflecting a mutual commitment to elevate bilateral relations and the broader ASEAN-EU relationship.
“We look forward to a high-quality agreement that unlocks real benefits for both Malaysian and European businesses, such as expanded market access, reduced non-tariff barriers, and greater customs and trade facilitation,” he said.
The delegation is also expected to meet Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
They will also meet officials from the finance and energy ministries, Bank Negara Malaysia, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority and the Customs Department.
“Beyond broad discussions on Malaysia’s trade outlook, we aim to examine how to ease trade and investment in specific sectors, as well as identify tangible opportunities for European businesses to support Malaysia’s long-term economic transformation.
“Europe is already invested in Malaysia’s future. We’re here to help realise our shared ambitions and boost resilience, economic integration, and prosperity,” Humphrey said.
The EU is one of Malaysia’s five largest trading partners, with bilateral trade in goods reaching €48.9 billion (€1=RM4.6843) in 2025, comprising €30.3 billion of Malaysian exports to the EU and €18.6 billion of EU exports to Malaysia.
Malaysia is also a leading investment destination for the EU. European investment stock in Malaysia reached €33.1 billion in 2024.
-- BERNAMA