By Kisho Kumari Sucedaram
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Portugal is emerging as a strategic gateway for Malaysia’s deeper economic engagement with the European Union (EU), offering strengths in renewable energy, manufacturing, maritime logistics and technology partnerships, said Malaysian Ambassador to Portugal Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim.
He said Malaysia views Portugal not merely as a bilateral partner but as a stable entry point into the wider EU market, particularly as Kuala Lumpur intensifies efforts to strengthen ties with Europe amid ongoing initiatives to resume EU-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
“Portugal has become an increasingly relevant and strategic partner for Malaysia,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.
Eldeen, who is also the Malaysian Ambassador to France, Monaco and Andorra, held a working visit to Portugal to commemorate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Portugal.
He pointed out Portugal’s strengths in renewable energy (RE), including solar, wind, and green hydrogen, as closely aligning with Malaysia’s energy transition ambitions, creating immediate opportunities for technology transfer, joint ventures, and investment collaboration.
He also noted Portugal’s Atlantic ports and its geographical position as a bridge to America and Africa, which complements Malaysia’s role as a major ASEAN maritime and logistics hub and opens pathways for new global trade corridors.
“These engagements are timely and in line with Malaysia’s broader strategy to deepen economic ties with the entire EU, including through high-level platforms such as the ASEAN-EU Business Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Malaysian presence in Portugal, proposed initiatives
Eldeen, who is based in Paris, said five Malaysian companies are currently operating or are involved in joint ventures with Portuguese partners.
While there are no formal records yet of Malaysian firms based in Paris actively doing business in Portugal, he believed there is strong potential, particularly in services, textiles, RE, the halal industry, and tourism.
“This is why the role of our trade office, working alongside the embassy, is pivotal in facilitating these connections,” he said, adding that Malaysia stands ready to actively encourage and support companies seeking to establish a presence in Portugal and elsewhere in Europe.
During the engagements, the ambassador said several initiatives were proposed, including organising a reciprocal “Portugal Business and Investment” seminar in Kuala Lumpur and facilitating a targeted Portuguese trade and investment mission to Malaysian industrial hubs such as Selangor, Penang, Johor, Sarawak and Melaka in 2026.
He also proposed establishing direct channels between the Portuguese Business Confederation and the Malaysian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Compelling investment opportunities
Other than that, Eldeen said Portuguese industry players expressed strong interest in sectors of mutual benefit, particularly green technology and energy, technology and the digital economy, and hospitality and tourism.
Portugal’s experience in RE, software development, cybersecurity and high-growth tourism management could complement Malaysia’s expanding digital infrastructure, electrical manufacturing base and developing luxury and eco-tourism segments.
Strong sectoral interest from Portuguese firms
As for now, Eldeen said a significant number of Portuguese companies and individuals engaged seriously with Malaysian officials during the visit, reflecting a strong interest in Malaysia as a stable Southeast Asian hub amid global supply chain diversification.
Sectors drawing the most attention included electrical and electronics, particularly semiconductors; aerospace, including maintenance, repair and overhaul, and components manufacturing; digital and Industry 4.0 solutions; and food and beverage, supported by Malaysia’s position as a halal hub and producer of high-quality food ingredients.
“Our advantage is that not many ASEAN countries have made such active and direct engagement with the business community in Portugal,” he said.
Positioning Malaysia’s value proposition
Eldeen said Malaysia emphasised its commitment to becoming a high-value, innovation-led economy anchored on strategic national plans, notably the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Investment Aspirations.
Not only that, he said Malaysia highlighted its competitive advantages, including robust infrastructure, political stability, a skilled workforce and strategic location within ASEAN, as well as facilitative policies such as the Malaysia Investor Pass to ease long-term residency for strategic foreign investors.
Taking advantage of Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025, he said the country is championing regional integration, digital transformation and sustainable growth, positioning itself as an ideal gateway and hub for Portuguese companies seeking access to the broader ASEAN market.
Trade rebounds above pre-pandemic levels
On bilateral trade, total trade between Malaysia and Portugal reached 145.7 million euros (1 euro = RM4.78) in 2024, comprising 100.1 million euros in Malaysian exports and 45.6 million euros in imports from Portugal.
While trade declined between 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic-related disruptions, Eldeen said both exports and imports have recovered steadily since, with 2024 figures exceeding pre-COVID levels.
Malaysia’s exports to Portugal have grown notably in natural rubber, iron and steel products, and processed food, with construction materials and RE technologies identified as promising areas for further expansion.
Imports from Portugal have increased in textiles, apparel and footwear, machinery and equipment, chemicals, metal manufactures and also processed food.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
