Malaysian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Edi Irwan Mahmud give a speech at the reception partuy on Vientiane on Sep 15.

(KPL) The Malaysia Embassy in Lao PDR held last Friday in Vientiane a reception party to celebrate the 66th  National Day of Malaysia (31st August).

The reception is also part of the 90th Malaysian Armed Forces Day, as we celebrate it annually on 16 September, which is also the Malaysia Day, to commemorate the establishment of Malaysia.

The celebration was joined by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphitthoune, other ministers, senior officials of relevant offices and diplomatic officials.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphitthoune (R) and Malaysian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Edi Irwan Mahmud cut a cake to mark the 66th  National Day of Malaysia in Vientiane on Sep 15

 Malaysian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Edi Irwan Mahmud gave a speech at the reception who recalled over the past 57 years, Malaysia places importance to its close and friendly relations with the Lao PDR.

Ambassador Edi Irwan highlighted the bilateral front, recently, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, undertook his first Official visit to Laos since his appointment from 26 to 27 June 2023.

The official visit has further strengthened and deepened ties between both countries especially through the signing of memoranda of cooperation (MoC) between Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) and Lao National Railway State Enterprise (LNRSE), Mutiara Perlis Sdn Bhd (MPSB) and Thanaleng Dry Port (TDP) as well as an exchange of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Electricite du Lao (EDL).

Under railway transportation, facilitation of passenger and cargo transportation between KTMB and LNRSE has the potential to increase bilateral trade and improve railway integration network which would turn Laos into main logistics hub between ASEAN with Middle East and Europe. It was estimated that cargo from Malaysia would increase by 40% or 1.2 million tonnes during the first year and potentially increase to 2. 4 million tonnes per year with income estimated at USD25 million per year to KTMB.

This will also be supported by land port cooperation between MPSB and TDP which will facilitate cargo movement at border through port-to-port arrangement with potential facilitation of 20 million tonnes of cargo and expected return of USD48 million per year and provide 520 jobs and 3400 employment opportunities.

Under the renewable energy cooperation, Malaysia looks forward to increasing cross border electricity trade and to support Laos as the Battery of Asia (with expected return between USD100 – USD500 million per year to TNB beginning 2025).

KPL