Malaysia inaugurated a dedicated Libya pavilion on Thursday at the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase, marking Libya’s debut national presence at the event and formalizing a trade corridor between Southeast Asia and North Africa as bilateral commerce between the two countries expands.
The pavilion, unveiled at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur, was organized jointly by the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and Libya’s General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences. Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Libya reached 1.03 billion ringgit in 2025, an increase of nearly 39 percent from the previous year, according to figures cited at the launch.
Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, presided over the opening and described the pavilion as more than an exhibition space, calling it a strategic bridge intended to connect Libya’s private sector with Malaysia’s halal certification, quality assurance and trade infrastructure. He said the initiative builds on engagement dating back to a Malaysian export acceleration mission to Libya in May 2024, and that Libya’s participation reflects how government, institutional and business ties can translate into concrete trade opportunities.
Essam Al-Awl, chairman of Libya’s General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences, said Libya’s involvement in this year’s showcase is intended to establish direct channels between Libyan companies and international markets. The pavilion features Libyan companies presenting goods including dates, honey, olive oil and cleaning products to buyers, importers and business representatives from Malaysia and other participating countries. Representatives of the Libyan Embassy in Malaysia were also present at the opening.
Organizers said the exhibition is intended to open new market access for Malaysian and Libyan companies alike, with officials describing the pavilion as a foundation for expanded cooperation in investment and strategic partnerships beyond trade in goods.
