Malaysia and the Philippines are set to strengthen bilateral trade, cross-border investment and regional economic resilience at the 9th Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in Manila on Tuesday.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan will lead the Malaysian delegation to the meeting, which will be co-chaired by him and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, according to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry.

The JCM is the highest bilateral mechanism between the two countries and will review ongoing cooperation while exploring ways to navigate global economic uncertainties and emerging challenges.

The two sides are expected to discuss expanded cooperation in several key areas, including the halal industry and Islamic finance, energy, agriculture and food security, defence and security, as well as disaster management and emergency response.

The meeting also comes as the Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship for 2026. Malaysia is expected to reaffirm its support for the Philippines in promoting regional stability, coordinated responses to global challenges and sustainable economic growth.

The 9th JCM will also follow up on discussions held during the 8th JCM in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 15-16, 2024.

Malaysia and the Philippines have maintained diplomatic relations for decades and marked 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2024.

In 2025, the Philippines was Malaysia’s 17th-largest trading partner overall and fifth-largest within ASEAN, while Malaysia ranked as the Philippines’ ninth-largest trading partner globally and fourth within ASEAN.

Bilateral trade stood at RM35.21 billion (US$8.22 billion) in 2025.

Trade continued to grow in 2026, with two-way trade rising 9.5 percent to RM16.71 billion (US$4.21 billion) in January-May, from RM15.26 billion (US$3.46 billion) during the same period last year.