Huge potential for Vietnam-Malaysia trade cooperation: Expert
There remains great potential for Vietnam and Malaysia to promote economic and trade cooperation, especially in information and communication technology (ICT), infrastructure investment, digital economy and Halal foods, according to Shan Saeed, chief economist and global investment strategist at Malaysia-based IQI Global.
Chief Economist Shan Saeed, Juwai IQI Malaysia, IQI Global (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - There remains great potential for Vietnam and Malaysia to promote economic and trade cooperation, especially in information and communication technology (ICT), infrastructure investment, digital economy and Halal foods, according to Shan Saeed, chief economist and global investment strategist at Malaysia-based IQI Global.
In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Malaysia, Shan said Vietnam and Malaysia have strong manufacturing- and resources-based economy, so it is entirely possible to further expand cooperation to benefit both.
In terms of infrastructure investment, the expert said this is an area of potential cooperation between the two countries in the future as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) currently needs about 1.2 trillion USD for infrastructure development to maintain its development momentum.
Regarding cooperation in Halal foods, Shan said that Vietnam should learn from Malaysia’s experience of 15-20 years in this field, as well as obtain commercial certification and have necessary measures to maintain the hygiene and quality of Halal products.
According the expert, the Malaysian brand can be useful for Vietnam in the following areas: Malaysia's Halal certification, training human resources for improving the quality of Halal foods, and building brand strategies for Vietnamese Halal products.
ꦗ Vietnam should also take advantage of the Chinese market’s growing demand for Halal foods, which is expected to hit 50-75 billion USD by 2025; and study developing markets with high demand for such products, he said./.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has recommended Vietnam and Malaysia capitalise on free trade agreements of which both are members, particularly the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The National Assembly of Vietnam has always attached great importance to and actively contributed to the stronger development of the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
Vietnam is looking forward to Malaysia’s support to develop Halal food industry, contributing to lifting the bilateral trade to 18 billion USD by 2025, Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told his Malaysian counterpart Mohamed Azmin Ali during their recent meeting in Hanoi.
The official visit to Vietnam by Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has made the headlines of major media agencies in Malaysia which said the trip will help promote bilateral cooperation in multiple areas.
Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob and a high-ranking delegation of the Malaysian Government left Hanoi on March 22, successfully concluding their three-day official visit to Vietnam.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Chief Economist Shan Saeed, Juwai IQI Malaysia, IQI Global (Photo: VNA)
