ID :
41425
Mon, 01/19/2009 - 10:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/41425
The shortlink copeid
USE M'SIA-BAHRAIN JOINT COMMISSION TO PROMOTE TIES - M'SIAN MINISTER By Muin Abdul Majid
MANAMA (Bahrain), Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Bahrain should make full use of the joint commission they agreed to establish since 2001, to further boost ties between the countries, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim.
He said the joint commission meeting was an important mechanism where
various topics like trade and investment, as well as tourism and culture, could
be discussed to promote bilateral relations.
"But this has not yet been put into operation and therefore, we would take
this opportunity to bring up the possibility for us to meet as soon as possible
so that such matters could be discussed and embarked upon," he added.
Dr Rais was speaking to Malaysian journalists ahead of the arrival of Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi later Sunday, to kick off his tour of three Gulf
states of Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
He said that Malaysia and Bahrain should re-visit several agreements and
memoranda of understanding already signed between them, with a view to implement
initiatives that had been agreed upon to bring bilateral ties forward.
The pacts include those concerning transport, Islamic banking and finance,
culture, as well as information and communication technology.
"We should zero in and try to visualise the practical aspects and get them
going in the very near future," he said.
Besides measures to bolster bilateral relations, Dr Rais said Abdullah was
likely to discuss with Bahraini leaders developments in the Gaza Strip, the
target of ruthless Israeli bombardment that has killed more than 1,000
Palestinians since December last year.
Israel reportedly implemented a unilateral cease-fire early Sunday, in its
offensive but Israeli troops would stay in the Palestinian territory for now as
Hamas threatened to keep fighting until they left.
In addition, Dr Rais said Malaysian cabinet ministers present in Manama
were expected to take up with the relevant parties here efforts to enhance
linkages in trade and investment, higher education and tourism between the two
countries.
The foreign minister said Malaysia felt that Bahrain should consider
extending the validity period of visas for Malaysian visitors which are
currently valid for only two weeks.
Another subject that might be touched on in Manama was how Malaysian car
manufacturer Proton could increase its presence in the Bahraini market, said Dr
Rais.
To strengthen its presence in this region, he said Malaysia was eyeing the
possibility of setting up a trade and distribution centre in Bahrain.
On Monday's business forum in conjunction with Abdullah's visit, the
minister hoped that this would open a new chapter in trade and investment
relations between the two countries.
"The participants would get a glimpse of our trade and investment policies,
our sentiments towards international trade and what we can achieve together,"
he said.
-- BERNAMA
He said the joint commission meeting was an important mechanism where
various topics like trade and investment, as well as tourism and culture, could
be discussed to promote bilateral relations.
"But this has not yet been put into operation and therefore, we would take
this opportunity to bring up the possibility for us to meet as soon as possible
so that such matters could be discussed and embarked upon," he added.
Dr Rais was speaking to Malaysian journalists ahead of the arrival of Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi later Sunday, to kick off his tour of three Gulf
states of Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
He said that Malaysia and Bahrain should re-visit several agreements and
memoranda of understanding already signed between them, with a view to implement
initiatives that had been agreed upon to bring bilateral ties forward.
The pacts include those concerning transport, Islamic banking and finance,
culture, as well as information and communication technology.
"We should zero in and try to visualise the practical aspects and get them
going in the very near future," he said.
Besides measures to bolster bilateral relations, Dr Rais said Abdullah was
likely to discuss with Bahraini leaders developments in the Gaza Strip, the
target of ruthless Israeli bombardment that has killed more than 1,000
Palestinians since December last year.
Israel reportedly implemented a unilateral cease-fire early Sunday, in its
offensive but Israeli troops would stay in the Palestinian territory for now as
Hamas threatened to keep fighting until they left.
In addition, Dr Rais said Malaysian cabinet ministers present in Manama
were expected to take up with the relevant parties here efforts to enhance
linkages in trade and investment, higher education and tourism between the two
countries.
The foreign minister said Malaysia felt that Bahrain should consider
extending the validity period of visas for Malaysian visitors which are
currently valid for only two weeks.
Another subject that might be touched on in Manama was how Malaysian car
manufacturer Proton could increase its presence in the Bahraini market, said Dr
Rais.
To strengthen its presence in this region, he said Malaysia was eyeing the
possibility of setting up a trade and distribution centre in Bahrain.
On Monday's business forum in conjunction with Abdullah's visit, the
minister hoped that this would open a new chapter in trade and investment
relations between the two countries.
"The participants would get a glimpse of our trade and investment policies,
our sentiments towards international trade and what we can achieve together,"
he said.
-- BERNAMA
