MALAYSIAN PM NAJIB GIVEN RED-CARPET WELCOME IN LAOS

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir
VIENTIANE, June 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun
Razak who is on a two-day official visit to Laos was given a red-carpet welcome
at the Prime Minister's office compound here Thursday.

He was received upon arrival at 9am by Prime Minister Bouasone Boufhavanh
and the Negaraku and the national anthem of Laos were played.

Najib then inspected a guard of honour mounted by 200 members of the Laotian
armed forces before the Laotian cabinet ministers were introduced to him.

Najib and Boufhavanh later had a delegation meeting.

In his remarks, Najib said his first official visit here was very
significant in further enhancing the mutual relationship enjoyed by both
countries.


"I have brought with me a number of Malaysian business people who are keen
to tap on business opportunities in your country like in manufacturing," he
said.

Najib also congratulated Boufhavanh on his birthday Thursday.

He said three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed.

The MoU on the avoidance of double taxation was signed by International
Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed and Laotian Finance Minister
Somdy Duangdy.

The MoU on higher education was signed by Higher Education Minister Mohamed
Khaled Noordin and his counterpart Dr Fhankham Vifhavanh while the
MoU on sports was signed by Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek
and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and president of the Laotian
National Sports Committee Dr Fhouthong Sengakhom.

-- BERNAMA