June 29, 2009 00:15 AM

Muhyiddin's Visit To France Paves Way For Improved Bilateral Relations

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

PARIS, June 28 (Bernama) -- The three-day working visit by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to France begining tomorrow will pave way for improved bilateral relations and trade between both countries, Malaysian Ambassador to France, Datuk S. Thanarajasingam said today.

He said Muhyiddin's visit will be the first high-level visit by a Malaysian government leader to France since the swearing in of the new government leadership headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The visit, a first by Muhyiddin as Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister will enhance cooperation in various fields particularly education and training, research and development, trade and investment, he told Malaysian reporters here.

While here, Muhyiddin will hold meetings with the French Education Minister Xavier Darcos, Unesco director general Koichiro Matsuura, Malaysia-France Friendship Group president Jean-Marie La Guen and French Business Confederation International president Jean Burelle.

Thanarajasingam said while here Muhyiddin will hold dialogue with some 1,000 Malaysians in France, including about 450 students studying at various institutions of higher learning.

Muhyiddin is expected to explain to them the concept of 1Malaysia and various current issues in Malaysia.

On trade between both countries, Thanarajasingam said Malaysia is France's second largest trading partner among Asean countries.

Malaysia's total trade with France in 2006 was valued at US$4.26bil with exports amounting US$2.17 bil.

For Jan-Aug 2007, Malaysia's bilateral trade with France totalled US2.9bil, with exports valued at US$1.37bil and imports US$1.53bil.

-- BERNAMA

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