Malaysia's PM Najib begins Saudi Arabia visit

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Monday 29 Feb 2016 - 13:21 Makkah mean time-20-5-1437 Malaysian PM Najib (Image from Internet) Kuala Lumpur (IINA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak began Monday a four-day working visit to Saudi Arabia, BERNAMA reported. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Najib will deliver on Tuesday a keynote address on private public partnership at the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF), which has become a leading hub for leaders, economists and businessmen from around the world to discuss and exchange views on various global key issues. During the visit, the prime minister is expected to hold meetings with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. “These meetings would provide the opportunity for both leaders to discuss bilateral and regional issues of common interests,” the statement said. The foreign ministry said the prime minister is also scheduled to visit the Malaysian Armed Forces base at Hafar Al Batin. Accompanying Najib during his visit to the Kingdom, a high-level delegation, including Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Bin Baharom and Abdul Wahid Omar and other senior government officials. The working visit augurs well for bilateral relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia as it will help boost efforts to further enhance and strengthen existing bilateral relations and cooperation between both countries, the statement said. “Malaysia and Saudi Arabia continue to enjoy close relations in various key areas including politics, economy, defense and Hajj affairs,” it added. It may be mentioned here that Saudi Arabia is one of Malaysia’s largest trading partners in the Middle East with imports worth RM7.53 billion (around $1.8 billion) and exports worth RM3.42 billion. AB/IINA