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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Vietnam are set to explore more opportunities to forge stronger ties in economy and trade.

The Foreign Ministry said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was scheduled to witness the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between ministries and agencies of Malaysia and Vietnam in various sectors to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.

"Anwar's official program in Hanoi will also include attending the Malaysia-Vietnam Joint Business Conference and a session with the Malaysian diaspora.

"The official visit is expected to further amplify the existing robust ties between Malaysia and Vietnam as close neighbours and partners in Asean.

"As the year 2023 also marks the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the visit provides the opportunity to strengthen the relationship further," said the ministry in a statement.

Last year, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Vietnam increased by 23.1 per cent, from US$16.74 billion (RM69.40 billion) in 2021, to US$19.44 billion (RM85.40 billion) in 2022.

Malaysia is also the 9th largest investor in Vietnam, with a total investment of US$13.06 billion.

Anwar is undertaking his maiden official visit to Vietnam today (July 20) and tomorrow (July 21) at the invitation of Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The prime minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Investment, Trade and Industry, Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin, as well as senior government officials from relevant ministries and agencies.

During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh.

Both leaders will deliberate the implementation progress of the Plan of Action 2021 – 2025 under the ambit of the Malaysia – Vietnam Strategic Partnership Framework.

Anwar is also scheduled to meet Vietnam President Vo Van Thuong, Vietnam Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and National Assembly of Vietnam chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/07/932762/malaysia-and-vietnam-spice-trade-relations