WORKING VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO BELGIUM 19 - 20 JANUARY 2025
WORKING VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER TO BELGIUM 19 - 20 JANUARY 2025
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a Working Visit to Belgium from 19 to 20 January 2025, following his visit to the United Kingdom. This will be the Prime Minister’s maiden visit to Belgium since assuming office, aimed at deepening Malaysia’s bilateral relations with Belgium and the European Union (EU).
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Aziz; Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir; and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet Caretaker Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo to discuss Malaysia-Belgium bilateral relations and intensify cooperative endeavours, as well as to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Prime Minister will also meet European Council President Antonio Costa. Both leaders are expected to discuss ways to deepen Malaysia-EU ties and regional cooperation.
As the current Chair of ASEAN, the Prime Minister will highlight Malaysia’s priorities and ASEAN’s global aspirations in addressing international challenges, while exploring ways to further strengthen ASEAN-EU dialogue relations. The Prime Minister will also emphasise Malaysia’s conviction towards strengthening regional peace, stability and prosperity within an inclusive, sustainable and future-oriented framework.
The Prime Minister will also deliver a keynote speech at the College of Europe, entitled, “Bridging Regions: Strengthening Southeast Asia-European Resilience.”
From January to November 2024, Malaysia's bilateral trade with the EU, including Belgium, amounted to a significant RM200 billion (USD43.71 billion). To date, 1,345 manufacturing projects with EU participation have been implemented in Malaysia, attracting a total investment of RM239.9 billion (USD59.80 billion) and creating 155,933 jobs.
On 20 January, the Prime Minister will depart for Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.
PUTRAJAYA
18 January 2025