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KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of the World Trade Centers Association's (WTCA) 55th Annual Global Business Forum in Marseille, France, next week, there is a high potential for Malaysia and European countries to bolster trade and investment opportunities.
The World Trade Center Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) managing director Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim said the forum is also a platform for Malaysia to further enhance its position as the Asean chair.
"We believe that Malaysia presents a diversification of trade as it is strategically located within Southeast Asia.
"This opens up opportunities for increased bilateral relations and investments, spurs continued growth in service sectors and encourages participation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from both regions to drive more trade opportunities," said Irmohizam.
He said that the international forum will serve as a platform to stimulate interest in the
Malaysian market, foster economic development and encourage business tourism.
Themed "Gateway to the Mediterranean", the forum will see over 300 participants from over 50 countries.
The gathering will comprise WTCA members, its global networks, leaders from business, governments, academia and international organisations across various sectors.
The participating representatives include those from agriculture, architecture, and banking and financial sectors.
Others will be from the industries of construction and building materials, consumer goods, food and beverage, freight and logistics, health technology, industrial solutions, manufacturing, maritime and energy services, and tourism.
Additionally, he said that France is Malaysia's third-largest trading partner in the European Union, with a total trade value ofRM16.72 billion (EUR 3.41 billion) in 2023.
This makes up eight per cent of the trade between the European Union and Malaysia.
France-based companies like Airbus, Michelin, Institut de Soudure Groupe, Safran and Simaero were engaged with the Malaysian government's trade mission to France last year.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/04/1196773/high-potential-malaysia-and-europe-bolster-trade-investment