UAE FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT MALAYSIA FROM SUNDAY

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Affairs
Minister Sheikh Abdullah Zayed Al Nahyan will make his first official visit
to Malaysia for two days, beginning Sunday.

Sheikh Abdullah, who is leading a delegation comprising senior government
officials, is expected to have an audience with King Tuanku
Mizan Zainal Abidin at the National Palace, said Wisma Putra (Ministry of
Foreign Affairs) in a press statement issued here Friday.

He will also call on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and hold a
bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

Wisma Putra said Malaysia was confident that Sheikh Abdullah's visit could
help "consolidate the existing excellent relations between Malaysia and the
UAE".

"In addition, the visit would provide an opportunity for both countries to
discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern," it
said, adding that trade and investment relations between Malaysia and the UAE
had witnessed tremendous growth over the past several years.

Wisma Putra said UAE was Malaysia's largest trading partner in the Middle
East last year, with total trade amounting to RM16.1 billion (US$4.59 billion).

Last week, the Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Development Company signed an
agreement worth RM22 billion, with 1Malaysia Development Bhd to jointly develop
the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District, as well as other investments.

-- BERNAMA