SEOUL, 24 November- Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will hold a series of meetings with key corporate figures and businessmen of giant companies known as Chaebol in South Korea as part of a three-day official visit starting today.
These meetings are to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) to Malaysia and further bolster trade relations between the two countries.
According to the Malaysian ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Datuk Mohd Zamruni Khalid, the official visit is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Malaysia and South Korea.
The memoranda of understanding, that will be signed, covers various regional and international issues of mutual interest, including efforts to enhance initiatives in the field of trade and investment.
"Up to October 2024, the total trade between Malaysia and South Korea is RM91.1 billion.
"On the other hand, Malaysia's total exports to South Korea will be RM43.95 billion in 2024.
"Malaysia's total imports from South Korea were worth RM47.1 billion in 2024," he said in a press conference with the Malaysian media here.
South Korea is the seventh largest trading partner for Malaysia, while Malaysia is the 11th largest trading partner for South Korea with a total investment of RM61 billion with 616 projects.
Mohd Zamruni also said that the Prime Minister’s maiden visit to the country was at the invitation of the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Datuk Seri Anwar is expected to arrive at 10:00 tonight local time.
During this three-day visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with the President of South Korea at the Presidential Office in Yongsan tomorrow.
He will also give a speech at the business forum which is expected to be attended by a business delegation consisting of more than 180 companies in South Korea.
In addition, he will be interviewed by Chosun Ilbo and Chosun TV, an influential Korean-language newspaper and television station respectively.
Apart from that, the Prime Minister will meet with the President of the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), an official body recognised as the parent body to represent the Muslim community here.
Datuk Seri Anwar is also scheduled to deliver a special public lecture entitled 'Strategic Partners in a Complex World: Malaysia, Korea, and the Future of Asia' at Seoul National University.