Bilateral trade between Macau and Malaysia soars 56% in January to July

Malaysia has become one of Macau’s most important trading partners, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, stressed, pointing to a 55.6% year-on-year jump in bilateral trade to MOP1.7 billion and nearly 100,000 Malaysian visitor arrivals as of July.

The Consulate General of Malaysia in Hong Kong organized a reception on Friday to celebrate the 68th National Day and the 62nd Malaysia Day in Macau.

During his speech, Anton Tai emphasized Macau’s potential in connecting Malaysia and the broader region to “the vast opportunities within the Chinese market and beyond,” while also highlighting the importance of high-quality development in Belt and Road cooperation.

He stated, “China is currently committed to expanding its high-standard opening-up. Under the enduring success of ‘One Country, Two Systems,’ Macau is capitalizing on its distinctive strengths as an international free port, characterized by a simple and low-tax regime and a highly open, internationalized business environment.”

Tai concluded, “Macau is actively contributing to the high-quality development of Belt and Road cooperation, reinforcing its role as a commercial and cultural bridge for international collaboration.”

He further highlighted that the Macau government is actively implementing the “1+4” strategy for appropriate economic diversification, alongside the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. These initiatives are expected to create unprecedented opportunities for both Macau and Malaysia, fostering expanded cooperation in trade, tourism, technological innovation, and other sectors.

According to the Secretary, the introduction of daily direct flights between Macau and Kuala Lumpur will significantly enhance exchanges in commerce, tourism, and culture while also enabling more Malaysian enterprises to utilize Macau’s MICE platform for exploring new opportunities and engaging in meaningful business collaborations.

The Consulate General of Malaysia in Hong Kong expressed its hope to strengthen business matching and exchanges between Malaysia and Macau through the reception.

The Consul General highlighted the strong relationships among Malaysia, Macau, and China, reaffirming their shared dedication to fostering friendship and economic prosperity across borders.

“The partnership between Malaysia and Macau has been warm and cordial, covering various areas such as economy, education, and culture,” said Muzambli Markam, the Consul General. He noted that bilateral trade between the two regions reached USD46 million, driven by sectors like tourism, electronics, and automotive products.

He emphasized Macau’s role as a bridge in the Greater Bay Area, particularly with Hengqin, stating that it offers “vast opportunities for both sides to strengthen economic and cultural ties through strong people-to-people exchanges.” He added, “This robust partnership not only bolsters our economies but also exemplifies the harmonious integration of Malaysia into the Greater Bay Area ecosystem, where Macau plays a pivotal role as a bridge between East and West.”

The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has launched the “Macao Muslim Travelers – Halal Travel Guide,” a comprehensive resource designed to provide Muslim visitors with information on halal-certified businesses, halal dining options, and accessible training venues.

Markam described this initiative as “a transformative move,” emphasizing that by offering halal dining options and accessible training venues, in addition to collaborating with Crescent Rating for Muslim-friendly hotel certifications, Macau is positioning itself as “a genuinely Muslim-friendly travel destination.”

“I am confident that Macau will soon emerge as a global hub for Muslim tourism,” he stated. This visionary effort aligns seamlessly with the 2025 Malaysia International Halal Showcase, the world’s largest halal trade show, scheduled for September 17 to September 20 in Kuala Lumpur.