(VOVWORLD) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad began an official visit to Vietnam on Tuesday. Leaders of the two countries will discuss measures to create a stable framework for stronger, friendlier Vietnam-Malaysia relations.
 Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Aug 27, 2019. |
This is Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s first visit to Vietnam since he took office in May, 2018.
Bilateral relations continue to flourish
Malaysia has a population of 32 million people. Since Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on March 30th, 1973, the two countries have strengthened cooperation in all fields: politics, diplomacy, defense, security, economics, and culture.
The two countries have regularly exchanged high-level delegations and the two issued a joint statement on a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s official visit to Malaysia in 2015. In March 2017 they approved a plan of action to implement the strategic partnership. Last year they co-organized activities to mark the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The two have collaborated effectively at regional and global forums, particularly ASEAN and the UN.
Economic cooperation has progressed rapidly with bilateral trade revenue reaching 11.5 billion USD last year. At a business conference in Kuala Lumpur last moth, Vietnam and Malaysia agreed to raise bilateral trade to 25 billion USD by 2025. Malaysia is VN’s 6th largest trade partner and 8th largest investor, with 600 projects totaling 13 billion USD. The Vietnamese government has offered favorable conditions and support for Malaysian businesses to invest in infrastructure, energy, technology, and smart city building.
Vietnam currently has approximately 29,000 workers working in Malaysia, mainly in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fishery. More than 1,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Malaysia. Malaysia is now the 7th largest source of visitors to Vietnam. More than 540,000 Malaysians travelling to Vietnam last year, up 12.4 percent from 2017.
Petro Vietnam and Petronas Malaysia have partnered since 1991 in oil and gas exploration, processing and service. The two companies are currently involved in 10 joint projects.
The two countries regularly coordinate and support each other at regional and global forums, and have worked closely to promote the ASEAN Community.
Malaysian PM’s visit to Vietnam strengthens the bilateral relationship
Vietnam-Malaysia relations have been nurtured by leaders of both countries to benefit their peoples and regional peace and stability.
The Malaysian PM’s visit to Vietnam is an opportunity to review and discuss specific measures to realize agreements and deepen bilateral ties. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will hold talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and pay courtesy visits to other high-ranking leaders.