Muhyiddin said the discussion, held for the first time using video conference, also touched on issues of mutual interests, especially in fostering greater cooperation in economy, trade, education, tourism and infrastructure development.

“I took the initiative to put forward the view that it is time for Malaysia to strengthen its ties with Egypt and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed this proposal and looked forward to discussions involving top leaders of the two countries,” he said in a statement on his official Facebook page today.

Egypt is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the North African region, with a trade value of RM2.06 billion last year.

As one of the largest importers of Malaysian palm oil in Africa, Muhyiddin said, he used the opportunity to encourage Egypt to not only continue to import the commodity from this country but also increase imports in the future.

Malaysia also praised the constructive role Egypt played in brokering the ceasefire agreement between Palestine and Israel, which came into force on May 21.

“I also raised the prospect of Malaysia-Egypt cooperation in the distribution of Malaysian humanitarian and medical aid to Palestine through the Rafah border.

“Alhamdulillah, the president has expressed the Egyptian government’s readiness to assist Malaysia in channelling aid to Palestine,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the government also expressed its appreciation to the Egyptian government for the educational opportunities given to Malaysians.

Currently, he said, about 8,000 Malaysian students are pursuing their studies in various fields, such as Islamic studies, medicine and dentistry at several universities in Egypt.