Malaysia's Ambassador to the UAE, Tengku Hilal Zuzaman, stated that investments in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers represent the most promising cooperation opportunities for Malaysia and the UAE.
He said that Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar is set to embark on a three-day working visit to the UAE starting Sunday, which is expected to encourage cooperation in these two fields.
Speaking to Malaysian media at a press conference on Sunday, he noted that the UAE is indeed a leader in artificial intelligence, already utilizing AI in areas such as disaster management and agriculture. Moreover, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) specializes in this technology.
Anwar will also witness the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Malaysia and the UAE, which will open new opportunities for trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries.
"With the signing of CEPA, it is hoped that trade between Malaysia and the UAE will be facilitated...certain goods will enter the UAE more easily. Trade between the two countries is expected to grow. Negotiations have been ongoing for some time, and the outcome will be signed during the Prime Minister's visit."
Tengku Hilal Zuzaman said that Anwar will also meet with key figures from the UAE business community to attract more investments and strengthen the trade relations between Malaysia and the UAE.
During Anwar's visit, he will meet with UAE President and Abu Dhabi ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Vice President and Prime Minister as well as Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohamed Rashid.
Accompanying Anwar on his visit are Minister of Internal Affairs Dato' Seri Saifuddin Nasution, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul, and Minister of Higher Education Dato' Seri Zambry.
As of the first 11 months of 2024, the total trade between Malaysia and the UAE amounted to 39.53 billion ringgit (8.61 billion USD).
The UAE is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner in West Asia, with a trade volume of 39.63 billion ringgit (8.67 billion USD) in 2023. Malaysia is the UAE's fourth-largest trading partner in ASEAN and the 32nd-largest worldwide.