By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan will make his first official visit to Malaysia for two days, beginning Sunday.
Sheikh Abdullah, who is leading a delegation comprising senior government officials, is expected to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara, said Wisma Putra in a press statement issued here today.
He will also call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
Wisma Putra said Malaysia was confident that Sheikh Abdullah’s visit could help “consolidate the existing excellent relations between Malaysia and the UAE”.
“In addition, the visit would provide an opportunity for both countries to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern,” it said, adding that trade and investment relations between Malaysia and the UAE had witnessed tremendous growth over the past several years.
Wisma Putra said UAE was Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East last year, with total trade amounting to RM16.1 billion (US$4.59 billion).
Last week, the Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Development Company signed an
agreement worth RM22 billion, with 1Malaysia Development Bhd to jointly develop the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District, as well as other investments.