Anwar Meets Vietnamese PM Chinh At BRICS Summit

From Arul Rajoo Durar Raj

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh today.

Both leaders are here in Brazil's second-largest city for the two-day BRICS Leaders' Summit.

Anwar was accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz at the meeting.

Also present was deputy secretary-general for Bilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani

Anwar had met Chinh during the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last May, as well as during his visit to Hanoi to attend the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025 in February.

Malaysia is currently Vietnam's third-largest trading partner within ASEAN and the ninth-largest globally. 

Bilateral trade has continuously increased, reaching US$14.2 billion in 2024, with a target of US$18 billion this year. 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said his meeting with Chính provided a valuable platform for both leaders to assess the progress of bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors, which include trade, investment, defence, security, maritime affairs, fisheries, as well as green energy and petroleum.

“I also raised the need to strengthen cooperation in addressing illegal fishing activities,” Anwar said in a statement.

Anwar said he also expressed hope that both countries can explore more constructive approaches to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and safeguard the strong relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam.

On the energy front, the Prime Minister also voiced Malaysia’s full support for potential renewable energy investments in southern Vietnam, including an undersea cable initiative aimed at enhancing bilateral energy connectivity.

He said such projects align with the vision of developing the ASEAN Power Grid - an infrastructure initiative designed to ensure regional energy security and sustainable growth.

“I look forward to continuing discussions with him during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October, as we work to further strengthen the long-standing strategic partnership and friendship between Malaysia and Vietnam,” Anwar added.

-- BERNAMA