PUTRAJAYA: The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd. Kadir’s meeting with his counterpart from Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan among others have agreed to finalise immediately the negotiation to institutionalise the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia Coordination Council (SMCC).
Dr. Zambry said, SMCC will be the main bi-lateral cooperation platform in the future for both countries.
“The increase in bi-lateral trade between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia is another aspect that we have agreed. The existing amount has also shown a drastic increase and both parties have agreed to double the efforts towards more trades.
“As a coordinator for ASEAN relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Malaysia has stated the commitment to help realise the Summit that will be hosted by Saudi Arabia this year to strengthen the relations between the two bodies in this region,” said Dr. Zambry in a statement today.
Dr. Zambry is on the second day of his first official visit to Saudi Arabia. One of the main aims of the visit is to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
The Minister also mentioned that both countries have to increase exchange visits to strengthen bi-lateral cooperation in various aspects. This includes in search of space and opportunities via Saudi Arabia Visi 2030 that is a good development agenda to be explored together.
“I have also mentioned our greatest appreciation on Saudi Arabia’s assistance delivered to Malaysia during COVID-19 that hit the world recently. I also passed the nation’s gratitude to the priority and special treatment given by Saudi Arabia to Malaysia for the haj and umrah affairs.
“Insya Allah the haj quota will not be reduced and most possibly will be increased. I believe this meeting gives a new relation episode between the two countries,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Zambry added, the Saudi Arabia government welcomes the official visit of Prime Minister Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim in the nearest future. –Malaysia World News
