Cooperation between French and Malaysian companies in the defence sector is now at its best ever, said Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

NONE He said both Malaysian and French governments were making its best efforts to promote the cooperation by increasing trade value between both countries.

"Bilateral trade between Malaysia and France has increased gradually from 4 billion Euros last year to more than 3 billion Euros in the first seven months of this year," he said at the Malaysian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual gala dinner here tonight.

Ahmad Zahid ( left ) said several French companies involved in the defence sector such as Eurocopter, Airbus for EADS, Thales, DCNS, Safran, Utilis and Pronal had already invested in Malaysia.

- Bernama