US Secretary Of State Visits Malaysia Tuesday

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Aug 7 (Bernama) -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make a two-day working visit to Malaysia from Tuesday, signifying affirmation of the commitment by the United States of America under President Donald Trump’s administration to strengthen bilateral ties with Malaysia. This is Tillerson’s inaugural visit to Malaysia since his appointment as the Secretary of State on Feb 1. "The visit will provide the opportunity for both Malaysia and the United States of America to discuss and exchange views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest,” Wisma Putra (Malaysia's Foreign Ministry) said in a statement Monday. Tillerson is scheduled to call on Prime Minister Najib Razak Tuesday and meet Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Wednesday. Malaysia and the United States enjoy excellent relations with substantial collaboration and cooperation in many areas. For the period of January to May 2017, total bilateral trade grew 23.3% to RM68.2 billion (US$15.4 billion) compared to RM55.3 billion (US$13.5 billion) during the corresponding period in 2016. Tillerson is also visiting the Philippines and Thailand. -- BERNAMA