Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim continued his official programme in South Africa with a series of strategic meetings involving representatives of industry and key economic players.
The discussions, held in Johannesburg alongside the G20 Leaders’ Summit, focused on advancing cooperation in technology, infrastructure, and defence.
Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s interest in expanding collaboration across several high-growth sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles (EV), infrastructure development, and banking.
He stressed that economic relations should not be confined to government-to-government channels but must also involve business-to-business partnerships, recognising industry leaders as the true drivers of growth.
“Business-to-business cooperation is emphasised so that economic relations are not only at the government-to-government level but also include industry players who are the real drivers,” Anwar noted, underscoring Malaysia’s pragmatic approach to strengthening ties.
The Prime Minister also touched on opportunities in the defence sector, revealing that Malaysia’s Minister of Defence will return to South Africa next year to explore prospects for collaboration in the defence industry.
This initiative reflects Malaysia’s phased strategy to deepen bilateral relations, ensuring that cooperation evolves in a sustainable and practical manner.
The engagement with South African industry leaders complements Malaysia’s broader diplomatic agenda at the G20 Summit, where Anwar has been advocating for inclusive economic growth, resilience, and solidarity among Global South nations.
His outreach to business communities demonstrates Malaysia’s intent to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible economic partnerships.
Observers note that Malaysia’s focus on AI and EV sectors aligns with global trends, as countries seek to harness emerging technologies for sustainable development.
Infrastructure and banking cooperation, meanwhile, are seen as critical to supporting long-term economic stability and integration between Malaysia and South Africa.
By engaging directly with industry players, Malaysia aims to build a foundation for innovation-driven growth while reinforcing its role as ASEAN Chair 2025.
The discussions in Johannesburg signal Malaysia’s readiness to expand its footprint in Africa, leveraging both government and private sector collaboration to achieve mutual benefits.
