The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) had successfully organised the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP): Economic Diplomacy Course for International Participants 2024 from 18 to 28 August 2024. This eleven-day course brought together 14 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq, Kenya, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mauritius, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Zambia and one officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia.
During this programme, the participants were immersed in key economic skills, including economic planning, policies, negotiations and trade, while exposing them to the evolving geopolitical and global economic landscape. They also gained in-depth knowledge from prominent speakers on Malaysia's foreign policy, bilateral economic diplomacy, free trade agreements and the vital role of digital economy in revitalising the nation's economy. Furthermore, the participants were also given valuable insights into Malaysia's economic strengths, highlighting areas such as Islamic Finance as well as Oil, Gas and Energy Investment, equipping participants with a comprehensive understanding of Malaysia’s economic landscape.
Aside from classroom sessions, participants had the opportunity to visit Batu Caves, followed by visits to Central Market and the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex, where they explored Malaysia’s local arts and crafts. In Putrajaya, they visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and had the chance to experience Malaysia’s local gastronomy at Rebung Restaurant. For further enrichment, they had a session at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Malaysia-China Friendship Association where they explored the economic significance of palm oil in Malaysia’s economy and the strong economic ties between the two countries, as well as highlighting the important role of economic diplomacy in international relations, respectively.
One of the major highlights for this course was the visit to Sabah for four days and three nights, where they visited Mari Mari Cultural Village, Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, explored local craftsmanship at Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market and the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm. The participants had a session with the Economic Planning Unit, State Secretary Office of Sabah where they attained essential insights on Sabah’s governance and its economic trajectory.
Overall, participants provided excellent feedback on the course and showed a high level of commitment and engagement throughout the sessions. They received certificates of participation during the closing ceremony, which indicated that their training had been completed successfully. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including H.E. Ragai Tawfik Nasr, (Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt); H.E. Morecome Mumba (High Commissioner of Zambia); Mr. Roussel R. Reyes, (Consul General of the Philippine Embassy); Mr. Ibrahim Shaaz Habeeb, (Deputy High Commissioner of Maldives); Ms. Pinyada Reiniger, (Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy); Ms. Soeung Solida, (First Secretary for the Royal Embassy of Cambodia) as well as representatives from the embassies of Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Iraq and Lao PDR to celebrate the participants for completing the course successfully.
Prepared by:
Mr. Muhammad Izzat Mohd Alias and Ms. Nurul Hawa Yaakob
Centre for Political Studies and Economic Diplomacy (PSED)
