MALAYSIA WRAPS UP EXPO 2025 OSAKA WITH RM24.45 BLN IN POTENTIAL TRADE AND INVESTMENTS -- MITI SEC-GEN

By Niam Seet Wei

OSAKA, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia wrapped up its six-month participation at Expo 2025 Osaka on a high note, securing RM24.45 billion in potential trade and investments.

The achievement surpassed its original target of RM13 billion by a whopping 188 per cent, said Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) Secretary-General Datuk Hairil Yahri Yaacob.

He said the RM24.45 billion comprised RM5.62 billion in potential exports and RM12.79 billion in potential investments generated from 1,555 business meetings.

“It also includes RM6.04 billion from more than 70 memoranda of understanding, agreements and cooperation (MoUs, MoAs, MoCs) signed,” he said at the Malaysia Pavilion’s closing ceremony here today.

Hairil Yahri said the agreements mainly focused on high-impact sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy and green technology, environmental sustainability, agriculture, as well as education and training.

“The signing of MoUs with Japanese counterparts, including the exchange between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), as well as the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)-JETRO MoC signed today, demonstrates that the expo has directly facilitated stronger institutional linkages and future-oriented projects,” he said.

Overall, he said, sectors such as green technology, construction and professional services, chemicals and chemical products, information and communication technology (ICT) and related services, as well as halal products and services, contributed significantly to the total potential trade performance.

On visitor arrivals, Hairil Yahri said the Malaysia Pavilion received a record-breaking 3.51 million visitors, far exceeding the initial target of 1.5 million.

“Based on our analysis of the Malaysia Pavilion’s impact via various channels, including mainstream media interviews, social media engagements and on-ground data analytics tools, out of 5,327 respondents, 84 per cent expressed interest in visiting Malaysia in the future.

“Perhaps there is already traction — as of July 2025, Malaysia recorded 219,389 Japanese visitors, a 16.2 per cent increase from 2024,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the positive momentum would continue, with Japanese tourists contributing significantly to Visit Malaysia’s 2026’s target of 47 million visitors.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, was held over six months from April 13 to Oct 13, 2025.

The Malaysia Pavilion, spanning 2,654.52 square metres across three floors and themed “Weaving a Future in Harmony,” showcased Malaysia’s commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking future.

Also present at the closing ceremony were the Malaysian Ambassador to Japan Datuk Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, MATRADE chief executive officer (CEO) and deputy commissioner general Datuk Seri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, and MIDA CEO and deputy commissioner general Datuk Sikh Shamsul Sikh Abdul Majid.

--BERNAMA