PM discusses high-impact strategic partnerships with 40 French captains of industry
He said Malaysia offers a strategic position as a gateway into the Asean market, supported by political stability as well as investor-friendly policies and a dynamic industrial ecosystem.
"I emphasised that Malaysia is now a major hub in the clean energy, semiconductor, and electrical and electronic sectors, and continues to play an important role in the oil and gas industry.
"This potential has also been strengthened with the implementation of investment faciliation initiatives by government agencies," he posted on his personal X account, @anwaribrahim, after the meeting that was held in Paris on Friday.
Anwar is leading a Malaysian delegation to the city in conjunction with a two-day official visit to France.
French companies that participated in the roundtable session included Air Liquide, L'Oréal, Axens, Schneider Electric and Thales which have been well established in Malaysia and continue to show their strong commitment.
Anwar said that at the same time, the government is also focusing on empowering small and medium enterprises so they can participate in the global supply chain and become strategic partners to foreign investors, including through technology transfer, training and talent development.
"I also encouraged French companies to explore Special Economic Zones and halal parks in Malaysia as well as to establish collaborations in renewable energy, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage), the digital economy, defence and aerospace in line with the country's inclusive and sustainable economic reformation agenda," he added.
France has remained one of Malaysia's top five trading partners among European Union members.
In 2024, the bilateral trade between the two nations reached RM15.95 billion (US$3.63 billion), and for the January-May 2025 period, a total of RM6.26 billion (US$1.49 billion) was recorded.
– Bernama
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Malay Mail
12 minutes ago
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Citing Petronas and Yinson success in Brazil, Anwar urges Malaysian firms to go beyond China, US
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Daily Express
16 minutes ago
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Long-awaited truth will soon emerge
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He won both his State and MP seats on a BN (Umno) ticket in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Yusof won the Sindumin seat on a Warisan ticket in 2018 and 2020. He even became a Minister in the Shafie Cabinet. He was thought to have applied to join Umno after Warisan lost the 2020 State election. But when he pledged to support CM Hajiji Noor during the failed coup dubbed Langkah Kinabalu in early 2023, Umno clarified that Yusof's application to join the party was not yet approved. Speaking to the Press after posting his bail, Albert asked why only two Assemblyman whom he described as 'Ikan Bilis' were charged when he supposedly exposed 10 (including the Assembly Speaker). Well, it is up to MACC and not Albert or who and when they want to charge. They do not need your permission or concurrence. How do you know when and who else they want to charge, if any? Albert also said should anything happen to him including his sudden disappearance, look for the 10. By the same token or going by his logic, can it also be asked that should anything happen to the 10 Assemblymen, police should look for him? Albert also mentioned the Chief Minister's name while talking to reporters. Hajiji's Special Officer has lodged a police report against Albert. He also hinted that MACC was biased, something which may be subjudice as the matter is now in the courts. Hajiji has said from day one late last year that he would leave it to MACC to investigate and that the GRS government would give its fullest cooperation. He himself even voluntarily gave a statement to MACC. Star president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said recently that there might be a hidden hand in all this as his name also suddenly cropped up although he already had his statement taken when the so-called scandal first surface months ago. Veteran Malaysian journalist Datuk Philip Golingai said late last year that a certain retired senior civil servant with the title of Tan Sri could be the mastermind given the hi-tech used to secretly record the videos. About the same time that the two assemblymen were charged, PKR Sabah Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the scandal, if true, could change the State's political landscape, adding that his party was on 'standby for any eventuality.' This is certainly not the kind of statement one would expect from the leader of a coalition partner of the State's ruling GRS+. This kind of statement sounds more like from an enemy or an opportunist or, as the Malays would say, 'Musuh Dalam Selimut'. Mustpha should not forget that PKR was in the Opposition in Sabah before Hajiji offered the party a Minister and an Assistant Minister post in early 2023. As they say, man's memory is short. He should also not forget that PKR is supposed to be GRS' partner in the coming election. Even PM and PKR president Anwar never made that kind of statement against GRS and twice defended Hajiji. If Mustapha thinks that Hajiji is someone who can be 'gertak', he can try. Hajiji was not born yesterday. He has been a YB since 1990, Mustapha only since late 2022. I don't know how old Mustapha was or what he was doing in 1990. I don't know why Albert Tei mentioned Hajiji as the CM was never charged by MACC. In fact months ago Sabah MACC already cleared Hajiji. Albert must have been disappointed. To me, Hajiji is one of the best, if not the best, CM Sabahans have seen. He never uttered a four-letter word in the State Assembly as a Sabah MP infamously did in Parliament. He never uttered offensive words against women as one Sabah MP did in Parliament. He never challenged a fellow lawmaker in the Assembly to a fist fight outside as a Sabah MP did. If Sabahans want that MP to be their next CM, then God helps Sabah, just like the British national anthem God Save the Queen (now King). A Sabah DAP leader also threatened to review his party's position in the GRS+ government soon after the video scandal broke out. Review lah. Nobody is going to stop you. But make sure your party secretary general agrees with you. As GRS deputy secretary-general cum Federal Minister Datuk Armijan Ali rightly pointed out, GRS never resorted to mentioning the many cases faced by Malaysian politicians, be them in the opposition or the government, including the present Madani government. By not mentioning any name, Armijan was just being polite and diplomatic. Mustapha should not forget that the many politicians referred to by Armijan include thoses in the Madani Government which includes PKR. Mustapha should not forget that a very senior PKR leader went to jail not once but twice. As people say, look at yourself in the mirror before you criticize others. A Malay proverb says Don't simply spit towards the sky as your saliva may fall on your face. PGRS Information Chief Datuk Nizam AB Titingan also asked Mustapha to look into the mirror. Mustapha should not forget that former Umno president and former PM 'Bossku' Najib is still in jail. He should not forget that BN/Umno was already rejected by Malaysians and Sabahans in 2018. Mustapha should not forget that Najib's successor as Umno president also faced court cases. He was never found guilty by the courts. His representation to the AG was accepted. That's all, and it was questioned by legal circles. Mustapha should not forget that a senior Sabah Umno leader is also facing corrupt charges in court and has been asked by the courts to defend himself. The Chinese press described someone who has been asked to defend himself as 'primarily guilty'. And yet we never heard of Mustapha saying that PKR will review its cooperation with Umno. Neither have we heard DAP wanting to review its relationship with Umno. In fact, Umno's slogan just before the 2022 election was 'No DAP, No Anwar'. Now swallowing their own pride? Being charged in court does not necessarily mean one is guilty. One is innocent unless proven guilty, as Armizan pointed out. A former Sabah Chief Minister was held by MACC for about a week a few years ago. He was brought to court by MACC wearing the Orange T-Shirt and it was widely publicized including on TV. Does this mean he was guilty? In conclusion, I would like to quote the heading of Daily Express' front page on Wednesday: 'Never jump to conclusions'. The Bible says Judge Not So You Won't Be Judged. Amen. I would also like to quote Thursday's DE frontpage headline which says Sabah's Financial Position Solid. It says that Sabah recorded one of the highest State revenues in Malaysia in 2023, reaching RM1.6 billion. Need I say more? I would also like to quotes Senator Tan Sri Anifah Aman's recent statement that Sabah attracted the 3rd highest investments of RM10.9 billion for the first quarter of 2025 alone, after Selangor and FT of KL. 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In 1985, the well-equipped and well-funded BN leaders from Kuala Lumpur campaigned for Berjaya in full force. The result? Berjaya lost, despite Dr M's 'Swim or Sink with Berjaya' statement while campaigning at the KK padang just days before polling. Next day of course all the local papers put it on their front pages with banner headlines. One Berjaya leader at that time even proudly proclaimed No Need to Campaign Anymore. The BN especially Umno leaders who campaigned for Berjaya in 1985 were unpopular with Sabahans, describing them as 'Orang Malaya'. But after the election, only BN 'Swim' while Berjaya 'Sank' as PBS which defeated Berjaya was accepted into BN. The 'Unseen Hand' should understand that if it bullies Sabahans too much, there may be a repeat of 1985 whereby Sabahans will stand solidly behind GRS. 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga'. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. 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The Star
20 minutes ago
- The Star
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