Aquino to visit Malaysia next week

Philippine President Benigno S.Aquino III will make a two-day official visit to Malaysia beginning Feb 27, to further enhance bilateral ties between the two countries in various sectors.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement here today that President Aquino, who is visiting this country for the first time, will be granted an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, and feted to a State Banquet at Istana Negara.

Aquino, who is the son of former President Corazon Aquino, is scheduled to have a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss bilateral issues and look at opportunities to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, Najib and Aquino would also exchange views on regional and international issues for mutual benefits.

Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy cordial relations and cooperation where both nations have mutual interests at the international level.

According to the statement, trade volume between both countries amounted to US$4.1 billion (RM13.46 billion), with Malaysia's exports totalling US$2.7 billion (RM8.86 billion) and imports at US$1.3 billion (RM4.27 billion), for the period between Januari and November last year.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$17.8 billion (RM58.88 billion) from the year 2011 until October 2013.