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In the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam took a significant step forward during the BRICS Leaders' Summit. The key discussion points between the two nations focused on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership for the 2025-2030 period.
At the heart of the discussions were Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Both leaders emphasised the need to create new momentum to intensify bilateral cooperation, including increasing mutual visits and effectively implementing existing partnership action plans.
Economically, the focus was on enhancing economic, trade, and investment ties. The aim was to boost bilateral trade, particularly in sectors where both countries have potential, such as agricultural and aquatic products, food, electronic components, and construction materials. They also highlighted the need for cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, food security, energy, oil and gas, power transmission, and developing the digital, circular, and green economies within ASEAN frameworks.
Malaysia proposed the establishment of a fishing cooperation mechanism involving enterprises from both sides, and Vietnam showed support for strengthening digital transformation collaboration, including developing a national data center linked to the ASEAN data hub. Vietnam also committed to maintaining stable rice exports to Malaysia to help ensure its food security.
Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual support within ASEAN, with Vietnam pledging full cooperation to assist Malaysia in its role as ASEAN Chair in 2025. They also exchanged views on important international and regional issues, underlining the need for ASEAN solidarity and centrality.
This meeting took place during the two-day BRICS Leaders' Summit, which focused on strengthening global South cooperation and economic partnership strategies through 2030.
In summary, the key discussion points were:
- Deepening the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership for 2025-2030 - Boosting bilateral trade and investment, especially in agriculture, fisheries, energy, and digital economy - Establishing cooperative mechanisms in fishing and digital transformation - Supporting Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 with Vietnam’s full coordination - Collaborating on regional and international issues within ASEAN integration efforts
These discussions reflect both countries' commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and ASEAN cooperation amid the BRICS summit platform. It is worth noting that this meeting marked the second time Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have met this year, having previously engaged during the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May.
The bilateral trade between Malaysia and Vietnam has been on an upward trajectory, with the figures for 2024 reaching US$14.2 billion (RM60 billion). This makes Malaysia Vietnam's third-largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Globally, Malaysia ranks as the ninth-largest trading partner for Vietnam.
This news article was compiled using information provided by Bernama, the Malaysian national news agency. The continuous increase in bilateral trade between Malaysia and Vietnam underscores the importance of these discussions and the potential for further strengthening the relationship between these two Southeast Asian nations.
- The court of Kuala Lumpur will likely observe an increase in general news as Malaysia and Vietnam continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship, with a focus on boosting trade and investment in sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and digital economy.
- The transport sector may also witness developments, given the agreement to establish a fishing cooperation mechanism and the emphasis on digital transformation collaboration between Malaysia and Vietnam.
- Amidst these strategic moves, political ties between the two Southeast Asian nations remain strong, as evidenced by Vietnam's pledge to support Malaysia in its role as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and their collective commitment to ASEAN solidarity and centrality at international and regional forums.
