Malaysia welcomed the positive momentum in its economic relations with the Philippines and looked forward to increasing bilateral trade with the country to USD10 billion over the next two years, its visiting foreign minister on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference after the 9th Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Mohamad bin Haji Hasan said trade in 2025 reached USD8.22 billion while figures from January to May 2026 alone already hit USD4.21 billion.

“This is a good sign. I think we should look for USD10 billion trade for the next two years. We should trade more, intra-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) trade is our priority now, Madam Secretary,” he told Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.

In the meeting, the Malaysian top diplomat said Manila and Kuala Lumpur should expand their economic linkages to include digital connectivity, digital trade, digital payments, digital skills, and artificial intelligence.

The JCM covered a broad range of cooperation, including political, defense and security, trade and investment, agriculture, food security, energy, connectivity, education, people-to-people ties, and combatting transnational crimes.

On the regional level, the official said Malaysia stands ready to work closely with the Philippines in “advancing intra-ASEAN trade and economic integration, strengthening the digital economy, enhancing food security and supply chain resilience, and promoting regional peace and stability.”

“As close neighbors and ASEAN partners, Malaysia and the Philippines have an important role to play in ensuring that ASEAN remains united, resilient, competitive, and relevant,” he said.

The two delegations also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including Myanmar, the Cambodia-Thailand situation, the Middle East, the South China Sea, and negotiations of the Code of Conduct.

Lazaro said both parties aired “continuing concerns about illegal and coercive actions that infringe upon the rights and entitlements of coastal states” in the South China Sea.

At the same time, they underscored the importance of self-restraint and adherence to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“Our two countries are committed to continue promoting adherence to international law and the rules-based order, effective diplomacy, and building better platforms for engagement and cooperation,” she said.

“We look to apply these principles to global concerns, as well as to unresolved bilateral issues between the Philippines and Malaysia,” she added.

The JCM was preceded by a Senior Officials’ Meeting on Monday, co-chaired by DFA Undersecretary for Policy Leo Herrera-Lim and Malaysian Deputy Secretary General for Bilateral Affairs Dato’ Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin.

The senior officials reviewed the status of existing agreements, instruments under negotiation, and ongoing and proposed cooperative initiatives to reinforce the robust ties between the two maritime nations.

The JCM was established in 1993 and serves as the highest bilateral consultation mechanism between the Philippines and Malaysia.

The 9th JCM marks the second convening of the mechanism under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration, following a decade-long hiatus before the 8th JCM in Kuala Lumpur in October 2024.

The DFA said resuming the regularity of this mechanism “reflects the deep sense of kinship between the peoples of both countries and a mutual commitment to sustain the momentum of bilateral engagement and identify new areas for cooperation.”

The Philippines and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on May 18, 1964. (PNA)