by HIDAYATH HISHAM
PRIME Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandone will arrive in Malaysia on May 25 for his first official visit since assuming office in December 2022.
Wisma Putra said the visit reaffirms the strong bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Laos, and comes ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings in Kuala Lumpur.
“Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (picture) will be received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in an official welcoming ceremony held at Perdana Putra Complex, Putrajaya, followed by a bilateral meeting,” it said in a statement today.
The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence, education, renewable energy, transportation, tourism, capacity building, agriculture and the halal industry.
The meeting will also involve a substantive exchange of views on regional and global issues, including ASEAN’s role in responding to current geopolitical and economic challenges.
“The official visit, taking place ahead of the convening of the 46th ASEAN Summit, 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit on May 26 and 27, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, underscores the strong and enduring ties between Malaysia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,” the ministry said.
In 2024, bilateral trade between both countries amounted to US$21.9 million (RM99.7 million), with Malaysian exports at US$14.9 million (RM67.8 million) and imports at US$7 million (RM31.9 million).
Malaysia is also the fifth largest foreign investor in Laos, with 46 registered projects worth a total of US$942 million (RM3.98 billion).
Sectors include renewable energy, transport and logistics, telecommunications, construction, banking, and hotel services.
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