Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob. Photo: BERNAMA/VNA

At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 20-21.

This is Dato 'Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's first visit to Vietnam as Prime Minister of Malaysia since taking office in August 2021.

The visit takes place when the traditional friendship and the Vietnam-Malaysia Strategic Partnership develop well. The two countries are looking forward to the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023).

Good relationship

Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations on March 30, 1973. The relationship between the two countries continues to develop based on a strategic partnership established in August 2015.

The two countries have maintained bilateral cooperation, such as the Vietnam-Malaysia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation; Malaysia-Vietnam Joint Trade Committee.

In defence-security cooperation, based on the Agreement on Bilateral Defense Cooperation (August 2008) and Letter of Intent on Defense Cooperation (February 2015), defense relations between the two countries have been strengthened, achieving practical results.

In economic-trade-investment cooperation, in 2021, Malaysia will be Vietnam's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth in the world. Vietnam is Malaysia's third-largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Two-way trade turnover has reached US$12.5 billion in 2021 (up 25.3% over the same period in 2020).

Malaysia is the second-largest investor in ASEAN in Vietnam (after Singapore), ranked 10th out of 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. There are 668 valid projects with total registered capital of US$13 billion.

Malaysia has invested in 32/63 provinces of Vietnam. Vietnam has 21 investment projects in Malaysia with a total registered capital of US$853 million.

Opportunity to strengthen cooperation

Neermal Shunmugam, Chargé d'Affaires of Malaysia to Vietnam, said that the Malaysian Prime Minister's visit strengthened bilateral relations and enhanced cooperation between the two countries after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Vietnam – Malaysia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation is the sixth meeting. Photo: VNA

This is also an opportunity for the two countries to explore new aspects of bilateral cooperation; discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest, and strengthen trade and investment activities between the two countries.

According to Neermal Shunmugam, it is now essential for both Vietnam and Malaysia to accelerate and expand economic cooperation.

Malaysia is interested in developing a digital economic ecosystem with Vietnam, strengthening activities in high-tech agriculture, smart manufacturing, renewable energy, financial technology and cybersecurity.

The official visit to Vietnam by the Prime Minister of Malaysia will elevate bilateral relations and activities in the post-Covid period for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Tran Viet Thai affirmed that the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob had a significant meaning and message. He said, from April 1, Malaysia will officially reopen the border completely.

The Malaysian government wants to affirm its determination to open up to the world, revive the economy, and strengthen cooperation and exchange with Vietnam. This visit conveys a strong message about Malaysia's border opening.

After two years of closing the border and dealing with the pandemic, the two countries will recognize each other's vaccine passports and certificates, fully open borders, and allow travel, exchanges and business cooperation.

This is an excellent opportunity for businesses, investors, workers, and students of the two countries to return. The two countries foster an extensive and dynamic relationship, opening up opportunities to bring the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership to a new height.

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