PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam will assess the progress of existing cooperation while exploring new potentials to improve relations and cooperation that can benefit both countries.

This will be discussed at a meeting between the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who will be in Malaysia for a special visit today, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Brunei monarch will be the first foreign leader to call on the newly-appointed Malaysian Prime Minister.

Anwar, appointed Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister last Nov 24, will also host a luncheon for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who will be accompanied by Prince 'Abdul Mateen Bolkiah, and his entourage.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's last visit to Kuala Lumpur was between March 4 to 6, 2019 when he attended the 22nd Annual Leaders' Consultation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have a special relationship that has been established for a long time through a common heritage, culture and human relations, read the statement by Wisma Putra.

Brunei Darussalam is Malaysia's 30th largest trading partner in 2021 and the sixth largest in ASEAN with total trade amounting to RM8.03 billion (US$1.94 billion).

-- BERNAMA