Strengthening Economic Ties: Highlights from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Official Visit to France

Paris, July 3–4, 2025 — In a significant step toward deepening economic cooperation between Malaysia and France, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim led a high-level delegation on an official visit to Paris. Accompanied by key ministers : Foreign Affairs, Transport, Agriculture, Investment, and Defense, the Malaysian delegation engaged in a full agenda aimed at reinforcing trade, investment, and industrial collaboration.

The visit marked a continuation of Malaysia’s strategic engagement with European partners, with France emerging as a key gateway for Malaysian companies looking to expand in Europe. Likewise, Malaysia continues to be a regional hub for French investments in Southeast Asia, notably within high-value sectors such as aerospace, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

A Presidential Welcome and Strategic Revival
French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the visit as a success, praising the breadth of engagements undertaken by the Malaysian delegation, from high-level meetings to academic outreach and business dialogues. “You have had high-level meetings with Prime Minister (François Bayrou) and other key officials, delivered an important speech at the Sorbonne University, engaged with civil society leaders, and met our business community,” President Macron stated, underlining the strategic significance of the renewed Franco-Malaysian partnership.

He emphasized the mutual interest in economic diversification and highlighted key areas of progress, including:

• A new collaboration in critical minerals and rare earths with French company Carester, which recently opened a plant in Lacq.
• Reinforcement of the long-standing aviation partnership between Malaysia Airlines and Airbus.
• Expanding cooperation in the energy transition, including support for regional electricity connectivity and the potential role of civil nuclear energy in Southeast Asia.

President Macron also celebrated the deepening people-to-people ties, with growing exchanges between artists, academics, researchers, and students. “New agreements are in view to continue weaving this human connection between our countries,” he added.

Strategic Business Dialogue: The Industry Roundtable
A key business highlight was a closed-door roundtable involving over 190 business leaders from both nations, held at the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand. Organized jointly with MATRADE, and MIDA, the session enabled direct discussions between leading French and Malaysian firms.

French industrial giants such as Airbus, Thales, ENGIE, and L’Oréal raised pressing topics ranging from carbon tax frameworks to sustainable urban development. Malaysian corporates explored commercial expansion, joint ventures, and new investment projects.

Key takeaways included:

• Air Liquide voiced concern about carbon tax impacts, to which the Prime Minister assured a gradual and industry-sensitive implementation.
• Thales announced plans for a new defense assembly line in Malaysia.
• L’Oréal reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and the Malaysian job market.
• ENGIE showcased collaborative efforts in urban cooling and low-carbon infrastructure.
• Club Med discussed tourism growth and Sabah-based resort development.

Prime Minister Anwar stressed the importance of continuing private sector collaboration, reinforced by high-level G2G exchanges: “We have benefited immensely from the education, AI, and digital engineering that many of our students have been trained in here,” he said. “We want to further explore. We have now started to welcome French students into Malaysia, and tourism is also increasing.”

Academic and Innovation Engagement at Sorbonne
During his address at the Sorbonne University, Anwar Ibrahim called for a recalibration of EU-ASEAN ties, rooted in mutual respect, innovation, and shared prosperity. The Prime Minister outlined Malaysia’s aspirations to become a knowledge-based economy, open to collaborative research and partnerships with Europe in the fields of digital transformation, sustainability, and education.

This aligns with France’s recognition of academic exchanges and the growing importance of AI and digital education in the bilateral relationship.

Business Agreements and Emerging Opportunities
The visit also witnessed the signing of multiple MOUs and framework agreements, notably in defense, aerospace, and green energy, reflecting a growing alignment on strategic industrial and technological priorities.

In the fintech sector, the Kenanga-Ant Group collaboration stood out, with Ant Group expanding in Europe through France. This three-way cooperation (Malaysia-France-China) illustrates the evolving dynamics of Malaysia as a financial and innovation connector in the Asia–Europe corridor.

Looking Ahead: A Renewed France–Malaysia Axis
The visit concluded with a working dinner at the Élysée Palace, during which Prime Minister Anwar extended an invitation to President Macron to visit Malaysia. The President responded positively, expressing interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation.

Business circles anticipate that a reciprocal mission from France to Malaysia this coming September 2025, led by MEDEF and key French industrial players, could materialize in the near future.

With over 300 French subsidiaries and more than 300 French entrepreneur-led companies operating in Malaysia, generating over 30,000 local jobs, the visit reaffirmed the deep and diverse foundation of the France-Malaysia economic relationship.

As the global economy pivots toward sustainability, resilience, and digitalization, France and Malaysia are positioning themselves as strategic partners for the future united by shared values, complementary strengths, and a commitment to progress.