Malaysia, Thailand Commit To Exploring Trade Opportunities In Halal Industries, Agriculture - Tengku Zafrul
By Danni Haizal Danial Donald
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Thailand have pledged to continue enhancing trade ties by exploring opportunities in key growth sectors, including halal industries and agriculture.
Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said this move reinforced both countries’ commitment to strengthening trade and investment linkages.
The minister said it was vital for both nations, integral economies within ASEAN, to “stick together”, particularly in this period of challenges brought on by geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainties.
“We continue to discuss improvement in trade and investment, as Thailand continues to be a major trading partner (for Malaysia).
“We have a joint trade committee (JTC) at the ministerial level, which was formed last year. So the next (meeting) we agreed to be held next year,” he told Bernama after a bilateral meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Suphajee Suthumpun, ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits taking place from Oct 26 to Oct 28 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The half-hour meeting was the first between Tengku Zafrul and Suphajee since the latter’s appointment as minister in September 2025.
Tengku Zafrul also said Malaysia is open to additional collaborations on technology and resource sharing.
“In addition, we also discussed ASEAN trade initiatives such as the ASEAN Trade In Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and ASEAN’s free trade agreements (FTA) with other partners. The discussions have been positive,” he said.
Thailand is an important trading partner for Malaysia, ranking as its third-largest partner within ASEAN and seventh globally, with bilateral trade valued at approximately US$18.64 billion (US$1 = RM4.22) between January and August 2025.
In 2024, bilateral trade totalled US$25.03 billion, and both countries have targeted raising bilateral trade to US$30 billion by 2027.
Thailand is also expected to emphasise enhancing trade within ASEAN, strengthening digital partnerships, and advancing efforts towards greener, more sustainable economies at the 47th ASEAN Summit.
The summit is set to be one of the largest gatherings in the bloc’s history, serving as an important platform to strengthen cooperation as well as address regional and global challenges in a comprehensive and inclusive manner.
This year marks the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN chairmanship since the bloc’s establishment in 1967. Its previous terms were in 2015, 2005, 1997, and 1977.
-- BERNAMA
