(KPL) Over the past 51 years, Malaysia places importance to its very close and friendly relations with the Lao PDR.
The Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane successfully celebrated the 60th National Day of Malaysia, and 51st Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Lao PDR on Friday, Sep 8, 2017 at Mercure Hotel, Vientiane.
More than 300 guests comprising of Lao PDR government ministers, officials, members of the diplomatic corps and Malaysians residing in the Lao PDR attended the reception.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR Saleumxay Kommasith was the Guest of Honour during Malaysia’s reception for a second time in a row.
In his welcome remarks, Malaysian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mr. Mohd Aini Atan highlighted that Mr Saleumxay Kommasith undertook his first official visit to Malaysia since his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR from 16 to 18 March 2017.
While in Malaysia, Mr Saleumxay had the opportunity to also visit the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.
Besides training Malaysian Diplomats, the Institute has also trained diplomats from other countries including more than 2,000 participants from the Lao PDR under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.
Bilateral relations between the Lao PDR and Malaysia were further strengthened with the official visit to Malaysia by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith from 9 to 10 May 2017, accompanied by several ministers including Minister Saluemxay.
Among the highlights of the official visit was the Malaysia–Lao PDR Business Forum held on 9 May 2017, attended by more than 400 participants representing 200 companies, highlighting strong interest from the Malaysian business community to invest in the Lao PDR.
During the Lao PDR Prime Minister’s official visit, the MoU on Science and Technology Cooperation was signed between the two countries.
The official visit concluded on a very high note when Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith had an audience with His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at Malaysia’s National Palace.
In term of foreign investment, Malaysia is ranked as the 4th largest foreign direct investor in the Lao PDR with Malaysia’s investments valued at over 1 billion US dollars through 103 registered projects.
The Malaysian Ambassador also highlighted the rapid economic progress of Malaysian companies operating in the Lao PDR.
A Malaysian company called Savan Pacifica Development Co. Ltd., a concession holder for Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone, Savan Park (Zone C) has 55 license investors at the investment value of USD132 million.
With the first ever dry port in the Lao PDR operating in Savan Park, it has the potential to facilitate transportation of goods and materials linking seven (7) countries by land, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and China and part of these services are already in operation.
Another Malaysian company called Don Sahong Hydropower Project, involved in the construction of Hydropower Project in Champassak province.
The project is progressing well and is currently over 31 percent completion. It is scheduled to be completed by December 2019 and expected to generate 260 Mega Watt of electricity upon completion.
In addition, Giant Consolidated Limited is also in the midst of finalising details to construct 220km double-track railway from Savannakhet to Lao Bao, close to the border of Vietnam. The Embassy of Malaysia was briefed that documentation details of this project has almost been finalised and the project is expected to be kicked off by next year and to be completed within 5 years.
On energy cooperation, Malaysia looks forward for the possibility of signing the Energy Purchase and Wheeling Agreement with the Lao PDR and Thailand during the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Manila, the Philippines from 25 to 29 September 2017.
During his speech, Mr. Mohd Aini Atan also pointed out that between 2013 and 2016, Malaysia has been listed as one the best countries to choose for retirement in the world, with the country being ranked in 3rd position on the Global Retirement Index. This is partly the result of the “Malaysia My Second Home Programme” to allow eligible foreigners to live in the country on a long stay visa for up to ten (10) years.
Mr. Mohd Aini Atan further highlighted on the recently concluded 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, participated by 11 nations, involving 4,888 athletes who competed in 38 sports under the theme of “Rising Together”.
The awareness of the SEA Games had generated strong interest among Lao people to travel to Kuala Lumpur, taking advantage of direct flights by AirAsia from Vientiane to Kuala Lumpur as well as from Luang Prabang to Kuala Lumpur.
In addition, Minister of Education and Sports Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune of the Lao PDR undertook a working visit to Malaysia from 18 to 22 August 2017 to support the 29th SEA Games and held a meeting with her Malaysian counterpart Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Khalid on 21 August 2017, which led to the proposal of signing an MoU in the field of Basic Education Cooperation between both countries.
KPL
