KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Israel’s attack on Qatar has no direct impact on Malaysia, especially on the oil industries and trade, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
He said the ongoing conflict in Gaza has not affected trade flows or industrial activities, though developments will continue to be monitored closely.
“If this doesn’t escalate, then it should be okay. But for now, there is no impact, including on the industry,” he told reporters after the launch of the MyAERO Summit 2026 and National Aerospace Industry Corporation (NAICO) Malaysia’s 10th anniversary celebration here today.
On the aerospace sector, he said that recent incidents in the Middle East, including Israeli airstrikes, have no bearing on Malaysia’s aerospace industry.
Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said the European Union’s (EU) recognition of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification will facilitate progress in the Malaysia-EU free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.
He said the second round of FTA talks with the EU is scheduled to take place in November.
“We believe that this FTA will help ease some of the difficulties and challenges in trade and investments between the EU and Malaysia,” he said.
The first round of FTA talks took place in Brussels, Belgium from June 30-July 4, 2025, with 21 chapters currently under negotiations. — Bernama
