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Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz said the FTA is a timely opportunity to work together towards inclusive and shared prosperity.
Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) officially launched Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations on 26 May 2025, marking a key step in strengthening economic and trade relations between both regions.
The GCC, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, is partnering with Malaysia on an FTA expected to cover trade in goods and services, investment, trade facilitation, and broader economic cooperation.
The Joint Statement to launch the FTA negotiations was signed by Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The exchange was witnessed by Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
“Malaysia considers the GCC one of its most valued trade partners in West Asia,” said Tengku Zafrul.
"The Malaysia–GCC Free Trade Agreement is not merely a trade arrangement, it represents a strategic platform to recalibrate and enhance our bilateral relationship. In a world beset with numerous uncertainties, this is also a timely opportunity to strengthen our collaboration and work together towards inclusive and shared prosperity.”
The launch of the Malaysia-GCC negotiations was said to reaffirm Malaysia’s commitment towards strengthening trade ties with regional blocs such as the GCC.
Lead image / Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Facebook
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