*Amir arrives in Kuala Lumpur
*Qatar, Malaysia set to establish Joint High-Level Committee, reactivate Joint Technical Committee: Malaysian envoy
Beginning a working visit that is set to take Qatar-Malaysia ties to new heights, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening.
The Amir was welcomed upon arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah, Qatar's ambassador to Malaysia Fahad Mohamed Kafood and members of the Qatari embassy.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry described the Amir’s visit and the talks scheduled on Thursday with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed as an excellent opportunity for both leaders to discuss bilateral matters, as well as exchange views on a range of international issues of common concern and mutual interests.
This visit will mark the first official meeting between the Amir and the Malaysian Prime Minister since the latter took office in May this year.
The Amir will honour the winners of Sheikh Tamim Anti-Corruption International Excellence Award during a ceremony on Friday in the Malaysian city of Putrajaya in co-operation with the United Nations, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Malaysian ambassador to Qatar Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin told Gulf Times in a statement on Wednesday that Qatar and Malaysia are set to establish a Joint High-Level Committee and reactivate the Joint Technical Committee, which will serve as a platform to monitor progress in enhancing bilateral and economic ties.
The two committees are expected to establish their meetings in the first quarter of 2019, he explained.
According to the ambassador, the total trade between Malaysia and Qatar “has increased twofold in 10 years,” from $320mn in 2007 to $670mn in 2017.
“I am proud to say that the current state of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Qatar is at its highest level as manifested by the exchange of high level visits. It is envisaged that these visits will enhance Malaysia-Qatar relations especially in trade and investment, education, women and community development, anti-corruption, and also to forge closer personal relations with Qatari leaders.
“I am of the view that His Highness’s second visit to Malaysia will enhance the opportunity to discuss ways and means and to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as exchange views on various issues that are of mutual concern and common interests with the Qatari leaders,” the ambassador added.