Malaysia is calling on Canada to allow Malaysians to travel without visas, aiming to make journeys between the two countries easier. Right now, Canadians can visit Malaysia without a visa for up to three months. Considering this, Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has asked Canadian officials to think about dropping visa requirements for Malaysian travelers.
If Canada agrees, Malaysians would be able to visit Canada without applying for a visa, making travel simpler and boosting connections between the two nations.
Strengthening Cybersecurity Collaboration
During a recent meeting between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, they announced the launch of the BlackBerry Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Cyberjaya, Malaysia. This new center aims to enhance cooperation between Malaysia and Canada in cybersecurity.
Malaysia’s own Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence started operating in March this year. It is set to become an international hub to tackle new cyber threats. The partnership with BlackBerry will boost Malaysia’s cybersecurity efforts and contribute to global security in the digital space.
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Advancing Defence Cooperation
Prime Minister Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s readiness to quickly finalize a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation with Canada. Strengthening defense ties is part of Malaysia’s broader plan to enhance cooperation with international partners.
Looking ahead, Malaysia is set to take over as the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2025, officially starting on January 1. This leadership role will allow Malaysia to play a significant part in regional affairs and further promote collaboration with countries like Canada.
Growing Trade Between Malaysia and Canada
Trade between Malaysia and Canada has grown by 25 percent since 2018. This growth is partly due to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which became effective for Malaysia in November 2022.
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In the past 15 months, Malaysian businesses have been actively getting Certificates of Origin (CO) for exports to CPTPP partners, including Canada. This shows a positive trend in trade relations and that businesses are making use of the trade agreement’s benefits.
Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, mentioned that although trade with Canada decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, the outlook is still positive. Predictions for this year are optimistic, supported by the World Trade Organization’s forecast of a 3.3 percent growth in merchandise trade for 2024.
At present, there are 96 manufacturing projects in Malaysia with Canadian investment, totaling US$274 million. The top sectors attracting Canadian investments are electrical and electronics (E&E), basic metal products, and wood products. These projects have created jobs for over 11,000 people, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s economy.
Enhancing Agricultural Cooperation
In February, Malaysia and Canada reaffirmed their commitment to work together more closely in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors. They welcomed technical cooperation in agricultural research and development, aiming to improve food security.
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During discussions, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, introduced Malaysian agricultural products like pineapples to Canadian officials. He expressed interest in exporting local tropical fruits to the Canadian market. This could open new opportunities for Malaysian farmers and offer more variety to Canadian consumers.
Malaysia’s request for visa-free travel to Canada shows its desire to strengthen relations and make it easier for people to connect. If successful, it would allow Malaysians to travel to Canada more freely, encouraging tourism, business, and cultural exchanges.
The establishment of the BlackBerry Cyber Security Centre of Excellence in Cyberjaya and the focus on cybersecurity collaboration highlight the importance both countries place on tackling global cyber threats together.
With growing trade ties and ongoing discussions on defense and agricultural cooperation, Malaysia and Canada are set to deepen their partnership in many areas. As Malaysia prepares to lead ASEAN in 2025, these developments point to a stronger relationship that could benefit both nations.