PM Najib Visits Saudi Arabia

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Feb 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is on a working visit to Saudi Arabia from Monday till March 3. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry in a statement on Monday said Najib would be delivering a keynote address on private public partnership at the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) on March 1. JEF has become a leading hub for leaders, economists and businessmen from around the world to discuss and exchange views on various global key issues. During the visit, Prime Minister is expected to have an audience with King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince Mohammad Naif Al-Saud and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Al-Saud. "These meetings would provide the opportunity for both leaders to discuss bilateral and regional issues of common interests," it said. The foreign ministry said the prime minister is also scheduled to visit the Malaysian Armed Forces base at Hafar Al Batin. Najib is accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor; Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein; Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, Jamil Khir Bin Baharom and Abdul Wahid Omar; and senior government officials. The statement said the working visit augurs well for bilateral relations between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia as it will help boost efforts to further enhance and strengthen existing bilateral relations and cooperation between both countries. "Malaysia and Saudi Arabia continue to enjoy close relations in the various key areas including politics, economy, defence and hajj affairs," it said. Saudi Arabia is one of Malaysia's largest trading partners in the Middle East with imports of US$1.78 billion (RM7.53 billion) and exports of US$811.25 million (RM3.42 billion). --BERNAMA