Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysia and Belgium have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, while exploring new partnerships in energy transition, high technology and the halal industry during the visit to Malaysia by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot.
According to Malaysia's Bernama news agency, Prévot expressed confidence that the two countries would continue to strengthen their long-standing economic partnership and reaffirmed Belgium's commitment to boosting bilateral trade.
Speaking after talks on July 3 with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Fadillah Yusof, Prévot highlighted the importance of broadening cooperation at the government, business and people-to-people levels.
The two leaders also discussed opportunities to expand collaboration in Malaysia's halal ecosystem and the energy transition, with Belgium offering its expertise in advanced technologies and encouraging greater investment by Belgian companies in Malaysia.
Earlier, on July 2, Prévot said Belgium was keen to strengthen cooperation with Malaysia in offshore energy, describing the sector as one of the most promising areas for bilateral collaboration as both countries pursue greener and more sustainable energy systems.
He said other sectors with strong cooperation potential include semiconductors, logistics, clinical trials, biotechnology research and development, and pharmaceuticals.
Trade between Malaysia and Belgium reached 9.74 billion MYR (about 2.4 billion USD) in 2025. Malaysia exported goods worth 6.85 billion MYR to Belgium while importing 2.89 billion MYR.
As of 2025, Malaysia had approved 67 Belgian investment projects worth a combined 5.1 billion MRY, with the potential to create 4,605 jobs./.
