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French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Malaysia on November 16-17, according to Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin. The visit is a reflection of the deepening ties between the two nations, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to France last year, which established a strong relationship with French President Macron.

Anwar had invited Macron to visit Malaysia shortly after his trip, and Macron accepted the invitation swiftly. The bilateral relationship between Malaysia and France has grown considerably over the years, with Malaysia having a history of trade with France since the 1700s when the Sultan of Terengganu welcomed French traders and seafarers.

Currently, there are about 600 French companies operating in Malaysia, including well-known brands like L’Oréal, Decathlon, Michelin, TotalEnergies, and BNP Paribas. Malaysia is currently negotiating the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA), with nearly 80% of the negotiations completed, and aims to sign the agreement by the end of June 2027.

Ambassador of France to Malaysia, Marc Abensour, emphasized that Macron's visit will elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, aligning Malaysia with key regional commitments alongside Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. The visit will also strengthen economic cooperation in various sectors, including defence, aerospace, energy transition, critical minerals, and digital infrastructure, further solidifying the economic ties between the two nations.