PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hosts an official luncheon on Monday (Dec 16) in honour of Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Seri Perdana complex here.
Paetongtarn and her delegation, who arrived in Malaysia yesterday (Dec 15) for a two-day official visit, were welcomed by Anwar upon arrival at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 11.45 am.
Both premieres were accompanied by their respective spouses, Pidok Sooksawas and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, were also present.
Earlier, Anwar and Paetongtarn held a meeting to strengthen bilateral relations under the 7th Malaysia-Thailand Annual Consultation (AC) framework.
Both leaders also witnessed the exchange of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) in the fields of culture, arts, and heritage, as well as the development of the rubber industry and economic cooperation.
Paetongtarn's visit underscores the long-standing friendship and strong ties between Malaysia and Thailand as close neighbours and partners in Asean.
In 2023, Thailand was Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner globally and second-largest among Asean member states, with total trade amounting to US$24.83bil (RM113.16bil).
Between January and October 2024, bilateral trade reached US$20.75bil (RM95.50bil), compared to US$20.69bil (RM94.37bil) for the corresponding period in 2023. – Bernama
