03/07/2026 10:05 PM

Belgium Deputy PM Departs Malaysia After Two-Day Working Visit

SEPANG, July 3 (Bernama) -- Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot departed Malaysia today after concluding a two-day working visit to the country.

Prévot and his delegation departed from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on a commercial flight bound for Singapore at 8.40 pm.

Before departing, Prévot expressed confidence that Malaysia and Belgium would continue to enjoy strong cooperation and economic ties.

"I am sure we will be able to celebrate strong partnerships in the coming years, focusing on strongest cooperation, economic ties and relationships," he told reporters here.

In his maiden visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February 2025, Prévot met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof to review the current state of bilateral relations.

During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening Malaysia-Belgium ties by expanding government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people cooperation.

Prévot expressed Belgium’s commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and said his country would review its travel advisory for Sabah with a view to reassessing its current status.

The two leaders also explored opportunities for cooperation in the halal ecosystem and the energy transition.

Malaysia also assured Belgium that maritime access through the South China Sea will remain open, while ASEAN remains committed to maintaining peace, neutrality and open access in the region amid heightened concerns over global shipping disruptions.

Besides that, Prévot delivered a keynote address entitled "Europe and a Changing Asia Pacific" at the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies. 

Total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Belgium amounted to RM9.74 billion in 2025, comprising RM6.85 billion in Malaysian exports and RM2.89 billion in imports.

As of 2025, a total of 67 projects with Belgian participation had been approved, involving investments worth RM5.1 billion with the potential to create 4,605 jobs.

-- BERNAMA

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