MANILA, Philippines, March 6 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s three-day visit to the Philippines, is a manifestation of Malaysia’s seriousness in efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Charge d’Affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines, Rizany Irwan Muhammad Mazlan, said, the visit beginning Wednesday, would allow Dr Mahathir and his Philippine counterpart, Rodrigo Duterte, to discuss matters which are of common interests to both countries.
He said, this include trade, economic and investment links, especially following positive development of the peace process in Mindanao, southern Philippines, after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was important not only for the stability of the Philippines but also for regional countries.
The visit themed, ‘Partners For Progress, Brothers For Peace,’ would also enable Malaysia to share the government’s latest policies and the country’s stand, particularly on issues of common benefit.
“The visit demonstrates Malaysia’s seriousness to further strengthen cooperation with the Philippines, as well as, to maintain existing good relation.
“We can see that there is a synergy between Dr Mahathir and President Duterte. I think Dr Mahathir and President Duterte have a good relationship and we should be able to use this opportunity to ensure that our relationship as a strategic partner of the Philippines would be raised to a higher and more meaningful level,” he told Malaysian journalists here.
Dr Mahathir and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, will be accompanied by Foreign Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah and International Trade and Industry Minister, Darell Leiking.
This visit is Dr Mahathir’s first visit to the Philippines, since his appointment as prime minister on May 10.
Rizany Irwan Muhammad Mazlan
In addition to the official meetings, Dr Mahathir is also scheduled to meet with Philippine business and industry leaders, in the Malaysia-Philippines Business Forum, to interact and exchange views on efforts to further develop trade and investment relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Mindanao Development Authority Chairman, Abul Khayr Alonto, to discuss Mindanao development issues.
Malaysia’s trade value with the Philippines for 2018 increased by 8.7 percent to RM 26.1 billion, compared to RM 25.5 billion in 2017.
Malaysia’s exports to the Philippines in 2018 amounted to RM 16.92 billion, while imports in 2017 were RM 9.19 billion.– NNN-BERNAMA
