PM Ibrahim’s inaugural visit to Bahrain strengthens Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Manama, Bahrain – Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has concluded a significant official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking his inaugural trip to the nation as Prime Minister and underscoring Malaysia’s dedication to bolstering bilateral relations with the Gulf state.
Prime Minister Anwar’s three-day visit, spanning from 18th to 20th February, was at the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. Upon arrival in Manama early on Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister was greeted with a static guard of honour, signifying the warm welcome extended by Bahrain. Throughout his journey from Bahrain International Airport to his accommodation, Malaysian flags adorned the streets, highways, and skyscrapers of the Bahraini capital.
During the visit, Prime Minister Anwar was granted a formal audience with both His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Discussions between the leaders centered on strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including trade and investment, defence, food security, Islamic banking, the halal industry, connectivity, and tourism.
PM Ibrahim during an audience with Prince Salman (left) and King Hamad (right). (Photo credit: Malaysian MFA)
Regarding the relationship between Malaysia and Bahrain, Prime Minister Anwar noted, “The close relationship between His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Bahrain’s King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa plays a key role in strengthening Malaysia-Bahrain cooperation.” He further expressed admiration for King Hamad’s leadership, stating, “I admire King Hamad’s leadership in driving Bahrain’s economic growth, which inspires me to further propel Malaysia’s development.”
They also engaged in exchanges regarding the current regional and international landscape. Furthering economic discussions, the Prime Minister convened with His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy, to explore avenues for enhanced economic collaboration and mutual trade and investment opportunities.
A key highlight of the visit was Prime Minister Anwar’s address at the Intra-Islamic Dialogue Conference (IIDC), held under the patronage of the King of Bahrain and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. His speech focused on the critical importance of Islamic unity in addressing the complex global challenges of today.
Furthermore, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair for 2025, Prime Minister Anwar advocated for stronger regional cooperation, particularly in anticipation of the Second ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit to be hosted in Kuala Lumpur later this year. Economic ties between Malaysia and Bahrain remain robust. In 2024, Bahrain stood as Malaysia’s ninth-largest trading partner in West Asia, with total trade reaching RM1.19 billion (USD0.26 billion).
Notably, in 2023, Malaysia was Bahrain’s third-largest trading partner within ASEAN and 18th globally. Beyond oil, Bahrain’s aluminium processing sector, home to the world’s fourth-largest plant, represents a significant export to Malaysia. The visit is expected to further solidify these economic partnerships and unlock new opportunities for collaboration.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia
