Malaysian Prime Minister To Visit Myanmar on Wednesday

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is scheduled for a two-day official visit to Myanmar starting Wednesday to enhance bilateral relationship between both countries. The visit will be the first official visit to the country by Najib since becoming the Prime Minister in April 2009 said a statement from Wisma Putra on Tuesday. Najib will be accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman, several cabinet ministers and deputy ministers. Malaysia and Myanmar had established diplomatic relations since 1957 and have a close and friendly relationship which is characterized by an excellent network of cooperation in various fields including trade and investment, technical cooperation, human capital development, banking and finance, defence, tourism, plantation, sports and hydrocarbon exploration. Wisma Putra added that total trade between Malaysia and Myanmar for the year 2011 was recorded at US$793 million (RM2.43 billion), an increase of 26.8 percent compared with 2010. The official visit by the Prime Minister is expected to further enhance the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries as well as create more business and investment opportunities to Malaysian and Myanmar companies, said the statement. After arriving at the administrative capital of Myanmar in Naypyitaw, Najib is scheduled to make a courtesy call on Myanmar President Thein Sein as well as lead a delegation meeting to discuss bilateral, regional and international matters of interest to both countries. Later in the evening, the President of Myanmar and his wife Khin Khin Win will host a State Banquet in honour of the Malaysian Prime Minister and his wife at the Presidential Palace. Najib is also scheduled to attend a meeting with Malaysian and Myanmar entrepreneurs on March 29 (Thursday), said the statement. -- BERNAMA