Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) – A day after his State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to Malaysia for a state visit upon the invitation of the neighboring country’s king.
Marcos said the trip is an opportunity “to harness the potentials of a revitalized relationship” between the Philippines and Malaysia, adding that this builds on the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Manila in March.
“The Philippines and Malaysia have long enjoyed close economic ties, supported by strong bilateral trust stretching back for decades,” he said in a speech before boarding his plane on Tuesday afternoon.
The president’s visit will end on July 27. He is scheduled to separately meet with King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and with Anwar to discuss areas of cooperation.
Marcos said he expects to focus on agriculture, food security, digital economy, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and possibly strengthen partnerships in the halal industry and Islamic banking.
“The halal industry is expected to grow to a trillion-dollar industry in the international market as its global demand continues to expand. Malaysia is one of the global leaders in this sector, and this visit aims to forge synergies with Malaysia for the Philippines to enjoy a share of this market,” he said.
The chief executive is also set to meet with Malaysian business leaders to discuss trade and investment opportunities, as well as the Filipino community there.
“It is also my belief that through the investments we bring in from my various foreign visits, soon our kababayans [countrymen] will no longer be forced to work abroad but will have a choice to come home and find suitable work in the Philippines so that they may be reunited with their families,” he said.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said Marcos will likely mention the newly enacted Maharlika law and discuss economic cooperation with Malaysia.
