M'sian PM, Najib Arrives For Official Visit To Myanmar

From Leslean Arshad NAYPYITAW (Myanmar), March 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak (front, left) arrived here Wednesday for a two-day official visit to Myanmar. The trip, with an eye to strengthen bilateral ties, is Najib's first to Myanmar since assuming the premiership in April 2009. A packed itinerary has been lined up for him while in the Myanmar administrative capital. The special aircraft carrying Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, touched down at the captivating Naypyidaw International Airport at about 2.30 pm (about 4 pm Malaysian time). On hand to receive Najib at the airport were Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Muang Lwin, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (back, centre) and Malaysian Ambassador to Myanmar Dr Ahmad Faisal Mohamed (front, right). Najib will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the President's Office. Najib is scheduled to meet Myanmar President U Thin Seen, Myanmar businessmen and the Malaysian community in Myanmar. The Malaysian delegation is 100-member strong, and includes more than 50 businessmen. The cabinet ministers in the delegation are Anifah, Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Human Resources Minister S. Subramaniam and Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek. Malaysia and Myanmar established diplomatic relations in 1957 and have a close and friendly relationship which is characterised 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. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA