PM ANWAR TO EMBARK ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO PERU, PARTICIPATE IN APEC LEADERS' WEEK 

From Saraswathi Muniappan

LIMA (Peru), Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake an official visit to Lima, Peru, on Nov 13, where he will also attend the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) slated to be held from Nov 14 to 16, here.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said this official visit will mark the Prime Minister’s first visit to the Latin American region since assuming office in 2022.

In the course of his visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet President of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra to discuss cooperation between Malaysia and Peru, including in the areas of trade and investment as well as the halal industry, and to renew the ties of friendship between the two countries. 

“Both leaders will also exchange views on developments in regional and multilateral fora, particularly ASEAN and APEC, as well as witness the signing of several Memorandum of Understanding.

“The Prime Minister will also engage captains of industry in Peru in a roundtable session towards promoting business opportunities, especially in renewable energy and the digital industry,” the statement read.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Lima, Peru’s capital with a population of 11.36 million, will be hosting the APEC meetings for the third time after 2008 and 2016. The western South American country is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia in the north and in the east by Brazil.

Total trade between Malaysia and Peru from January to July this year stood at RM1.16 billion, an increase of 36.3 per cent from RM847.7 million over the same period in 2023.

Themed “Empower. Include. Grow.”, the APEC Economic Ministers’ Meeting, under Peru’s chairmanship will focus on strengthening trade and investment relations; innovation; digitalisation; and sustainable growth. 

The Prime Minister’s engagements at the AELW will include participation in the APEC CEO Summit on Nov 14, where he will be a panellist in the session titled “Opportunities and Challenges in the AI Revolution”. 

On Nov 15, he will also participate in the APEC Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests and APEC Economic Leaders’ Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). 

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is also expected to deliver Malaysia’s Intervention at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) Retreat on Nov 16.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from APEC Economies. 

In the course of his engagements, the Prime Minister will share Malaysia’s key priorities under the MADANI Economy Framework, emphasising inclusivity, sustainable development, and strengthened cooperation for the benefit of all.

“As one of the 12 founding economies of APEC, Malaysia’s active participation in the AELM underscores Malaysia's continued commitment to advancing economic collaboration, promoting shared prosperity, and fostering inclusive development across the Asia-Pacific region,” said the Ministry.

APEC is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

It represents nearly 40 per cent of the world's population, almost half of global trade and over 60 per cent of the global economy.

-- BERNAMA