2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Poland poised to deepen ties in halal, defence, green hydrogen and digital tech
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Poland should showcase the capacity of both countries to work together in key sectors such as the halal industry, defence, digital technology and green hydrogen, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
At a joint press conference with President of Poland Andrzej Duda during Duda's official visit to Malaysia, Anwar said Poland's strength in modern and advanced technology makes it an increasingly important partner in the European Union and the region.
"We should showcase the capacity of both Malaysia and Poland to work together in the fields that we have discussed, including the halal industry, and with your strength in modern technology," he said.
Anwar noted that Poland's last high-level visit to Malaysia was in 1999, and since then, the country has achieved phenomenal growth, particularly in new technology, artificial intelligence, food technology and green energy.
"I look forward to enhancing these bilateral relations in defence, food tech, trade, investments, digital technology, renewable energy and your (Poland) new expertise in green hydrogen," he said.
The Prime Minister also welcomed the remarkable increase in bilateral trade, noting that Malaysia-Poland trade grew by 19.5 per cent from 2023 to 2024.
"The exponential growth in trade is very much welcome -- a 19.5 per cent year-on-year increase from 2023 to 2024 is indeed a remarkable feat that shows the potential in our bilateral trade, investments and overall relations with the Republic of Poland," he added.
According to Anwar, both leaders held extensive discussions on enhancing palm oil exports, wood and rubber products, and electrical and electronics collaboration, including exploring green hydrogen initiatives.
Meanwhile, Duda, who arrived in Malaysia on June 9, for a three-day official visit, described the visit to Malaysia as significant, noting that Poland has undergone tremendous political and economic transformation since its last presidential visit in 1999.
"Malaysia today is our second-largest trade partner in this region, and our bilateral trade has seen exponential growth," he said, adding that he hoped to see greater market access for Polish products in Malaysia.
Duda said he had submitted a non-paper to Anwar, prepared by Poland's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, outlining proposals to expand the export of Polish agri-food products to Malaysia, including poultry meat and pork.
He also urged Malaysian investors to consider opportunities in Poland, highlighting a wide range of incentives including grants, tax reliefs, preferential loans and workforce training.
On energy cooperation, he said Poland is the fifth-largest hydrogen producer in the world and third-largest in the European Union, and is open to broad collaboration with Malaysia in green and renewable energy technologies.
"We discussed the potential for research cooperation and development in fuels and hydrogen, and I assured the Prime Minister that Poland has skilled experts and a large market to support such ventures," he added.
