Malaysia spotlighted as halal hub and gateway to Asean at Chile business summit
BANGKOK, Sept 26 — Malaysia has emerged as a central pillar of Chile’s strategy in Southeast Asia, with bilateral trade continuing to expand under the Chile–Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to officials at the Chile–Asean Business Summit 2025.
Held from Sept 10 to 12 at the Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit, the summit coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Chile–Thailand FTA and brought together senior government officials, exporters, and business leaders from across Asean to explore opportunities in trade and investment.
In a media statement, Chilean Vice Minister of International Economic Affairs Claudia Sanhueza said the event marked “a significant milestone in the evolution of the relationship between Chile and the Asean region,” citing shared values of open trade, sustainable development, and regional cooperation.
ProChile general director Ignacio Fernández noted that almost 40 per cent of Chile’s exports head to Asia, but Asean countries currently receive less than 2 per cent of that total.
“Our trade with this important region is growing, but there is still significant potential for faster expansion,” he said.
Malaysia’s exports to Chile hit US$157.5 million (RM741.8 million) in 2024, led by fertilisers, animal and vegetable oils, rubber, electrical equipment and machinery.
Chile’s exports to Malaysia are dominated by copper, forestry products, seafood, fruit and wine.
Halal certification has been key to Chilean seafood and meat products entering Malaysia’s Muslim-majority market, said ProChile’s Malaysia trade representative Ana Belén Bueno, who also noted a rise in exports of salmon, mussels, fruits, and live cattle since the pandemic.
The summit featured business matchmaking sessions, seminars on seafood, digital innovation and halal certification, as well as retail activations and a Chilean culinary showcase.
Officials said Chile sees Malaysia not only as a growing export market but also as a gateway for Chilean goods to reach wider Asean markets, while Malaysian exporters stand to benefit from Chile’s 35 free trade agreements giving access to Latin America’s major economies.
