KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 -- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will undertake an official visit to Qatar starting tomorrow until Dec 14, his first visit to the country since assuming the post on May 10 last year.
Foreign Ministry in a statement said that the prime minister will be accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
During the visit, Dr Mahathir is scheduled to have an audience with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
“Both sides are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the statement said.
The two leaders will also witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a high-level joint committee between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries.
Dr Mahathir will also be meeting the Malaysian diaspora and Malaysian business players in Doha.
Dr Mahathir is also scheduled to attend the Doha Forum 2019 and deliver a keynote address on the reimagining the governance in a multipolar world from Malaysia's perspective.
“At the forum, the prime minister will also be receiving the Doha Forum Award from the Emir of Qatar,” it said.
The trade and investment relation between Malaysia and Qatar are extensive with two-way trade valued at US$0.92 billion in 2018. Major export items from Malaysia to Qatar in 2018 were machinery, equipment and parts, processed food, palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products, iron and steel product and manufactures of metal.
Malaysia's main import articles from Qatar were chemical and chemical products, crude petroleum, petroleum products, manufactures of metal and iron and steel products.
According to the statement, the visit will also provide an opportunity for both countries to reinforce the commitment to strengthening and enhancing the existing close brotherly relations between the two countries.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Defence Mohamad Sabu, Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, as well as senior government officials, will accompany Dr Mahathir during the visit.
-- BERNAMA
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