The UAE’s Ministry of Investment and the Perak State Development Corporation in Malaysia have signed a memorandum of understanding to support cooperation in the field of food security.
The agreement also includes the development of the Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal in Perak State, reinforcing both parties’ commitment to global supply chains and sustainable economic growth through strategic infrastructure development.
The two parties will work together to explore opportunities for investment in food security, building on the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) they signed in January 2025.
Partnership to contribute to stability of global food system
“This Memorandum with the Perak State Development Corporation underscores our shared commitment to bolstering regional supply chain resilience and driving sustainable development. Through this partnership, we aim to create meaningful international collaborations that deliver tangible value to both parties, while also contributing to the stability of the global food system,” stated Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment.
Meanwhile, Yab Dato’ Seri Haji Saarani Bin Mohamad, chairman of Perak State Development Corporation, noted that the partnership with the UAE will advance Malaysia’s agricultural sector and infrastructure development objectives, and its role in global food security.
“The Bagan Datuk International Sea-Hub Multipurpose Terminal will serve as a critical gateway for Malaysia’s food exports while strengthening our position in global supply chains. We greatly value our partnership with the UAE and look forward to working together,” he added.
UAE-Malaysia ties grow
The UAE and Malaysia have a strong relationship with increasing economic and trade ties. Non-oil bilateral trade reached $4.9 billion in 2023 and $4 billion in the first nine months of 2024.
The UAE is Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner in the Middle East, accounting for 32 percent of Malaysia’s trade volume with the region, while Malaysia is the UAE’s 12th largest Asian trading partner.
The CEPA is projected to solidify the UAE as a strategic hub for Malaysian exports to the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond while also opening the ASEAN market to UAE investors and entrepreneurs. With CEPAs and agreements already in force with Indonesia and Cambodia, the UAE is bolstering its ties to the region and consolidating its status as a global trade hub that connects high-growth economies and expands opportunities for the private sector across Asia.
