 PARLIMEN MALAYSIA KUALA LUMPUR |
PRESS RELEASE
MALAYSIA-VIETNAM STRENGTHEN PARLIAMENTARY TIES AMID ROBUST BILATERAL GROWTH AND MALAYSIA'S AIPA PRESIDENCY
KUALA LUMPUR, 24 October 2024—His Excellency Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia and incoming President of the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), held a productive dialogue with His Excellency Trần Thanh Mẫn, President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, marking a pivotal moment in strengthening parliamentary diplomacy between Malaysia and Vietnam.
The discussions underscored the remarkable progress in bilateral relations, with trade between the two nations reaching close to USD 10 billion in the first eight months of 2024—an increase of 15.2% compared to the previous year. Additionally, Malaysia has become the second-largest source of ASEAN tourists to Vietnam, with over 360,000 Malaysians visiting in the first nine months of 2024.
“The solid growth in our bilateral ties reflects the strong foundation on which we can build further collaboration,” said Speaker Johari. “As Malaysia assumes the AIPA Presidency under the theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ we are dedicated to deepening regional integration and advancing parliamentary diplomacy that benefits all ASEAN member states.”
During the comprehensive discussions, both leaders explored avenues to enhance cooperation in key sectors such as high technology, tourism, trade, and energy. The Vietnamese Parliament affirmed its commitment to fostering an environment conducive to expanded cooperation.
A significant highlight of the discussions was Vietnam's commitment to developing its halal industry, demonstrated through a large-scale halal conference held in Hanoi on 22 October, attended by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. Vietnam has expressed keen interest in Malaysian expertise for training Vietnamese enterprises and local authorities on halal production processes and certification.
A key outcome of the talks was the potential signing of a Cooperation Agreement between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Parliament of Malaysia, aimed at bolstering legislative collaboration and increasing parliamentary exchanges. Both leaders also highlighted the importance of supporting their respective communities, with Malaysia acknowledging the positive contributions of the Vietnamese community since the formation of the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association in 2022.
Following the discussions, Speaker Johari observed proceedings in the National Assembly, gaining insights into Vietnam’s legislative practices. The visit also includes upcoming meetings with Vietnam's General Secretary and President, His Excellency Tô Lâm, and Prime Minister, His Excellency Phạm Minh Chính, focusing on broader areas of cooperation such as trade, investment, and sustainable development.
“This visit reaffirms the shared commitment of both nations to ASEAN centrality and unity,” Speaker Johari emphasized. “Our discussions have set the stage for deeper parliamentary collaboration, particularly in areas such as human resource development, technological innovation, and educational exchange.”
These engagements in Vietnam signal the beginning of Malaysia’s leadership in AIPA, where it aims to drive inclusive growth, digital innovation, and sustainable development across the ASEAN region, while reinforcing parliamentary cooperation among member states
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Last updated: 24 October 2024 | Hits: 156
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