ANWAR RAISES TARIFF ISSUE ON PALM OIL PRODUCTS WITH COUNTERPART, MALAYSIA READY TO OPEN ACCESS TO POULTRY PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT

By Saraswathi Muniappan

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is ready to open access for products such as chicken, bird’s nest and animal feed for export to Ethiopia, in addition to offering expertise in oil palm cultivation and high-quality seedlings, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I also proposed a review of import tariff rates on Malaysian palm oil products, which are gaining traction in the Ethiopian market,” he said after a four-eye meeting with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali on Wednesday.

The Malaysian Prime Minister said both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in tourism, education, health, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and research, while continuing Malaysia’s support for Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

“We reaffirmed our commitment to elevate bilateral relations to a more strategic phase, encompassing expanded trade, investment, human capital development and enhanced cooperation in new economic sectors,” said Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, in a statement.

He added that Malaysia welcomes tangible progress, including agreement to initiate a regular consultation mechanism and various initiatives that broaden cooperation in development and connectivity between the peoples of both countries.

“I also highlighted the vast potential in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, the halal industry, cybersecurity and emerging opportunities through a memorandum of understanding framework between the business chambers of both nations.

“Malaysia also welcomes more active participation from Ethiopian companies in trade missions and business-matching activities,” he said.

Anwar also expressed appreciation for Ethiopia’s support for Malaysia’s aspiration to join BRICS, and congratulated the country on its selection as host of the COP32 climate summit in 2027 — a major recognition of its leadership in the global green agenda.

“I am confident the Malaysia–Ethiopia cooperation will continue to grow for the benefit of our peoples and for a more prosperous, inclusive and competitive future,” said the Prime Minister, describing the bilateral meeting as “substantive and deeply meaningful”.

Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked country, was Malaysia’s 26th-largest trading partner in Africa in 2024 and is the first country visited by Anwar on his tour of the continent.

From Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, for a working visit from Nov 20 to 23 to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

He will then continue his visit to Nairobi, Kenya, from Nov 23 to 24 before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar is accompanied by the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. 

-- BERNAMA