Attending the ceremony were VUFO's President Mr. Vu Vuan Hong, Chairman of the Vietnam - Malaysia Friendship Association, Maylaysian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mr. Dató Azmil Zabidi, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, Malaysian Embassy staff…
In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Huu Hao reviewed the developments of the bilateral political and economic relations over the past 40 years. Politically, the two countries have exchanged many high-level visits. Remarkable were the official visits of the Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to Malaysia in April 2004, in which the two sides concluded the “Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Cooperation Framework in the 21st century”, and of the State President Truong Tan Sang, in which the two sides exchanged views on measures to raise the bilateral relations to a new height. In addition, the two countries have actively supported each other at international and regional forums.
Economically, the two- way trade turnover between Vietnam and Malaysia increased from $4.1 billion in 2009 to $7.9 billion in 2012, at the annual growth rate of about 24%. Currently, Malaysia is ranked 8th out of 92 countries with direct investment in Vietnam, with 428 projects and total registered capital of over $10.1 billion.
VUFO and the Vietnam - Malaysia Friendship Association have played a good role in promoting friendship relations between the peoples of the two countries. Since its establishment in 1994, the Vietnam - Malaysia Friendship Association has organized many activities to enhance the mutual understanding between the two countries.
In his address, Malaysian Ambassador Mr. Dató Azmil Zabidi also reviewed the remarkable bilateral cooperation achievements in education and training, culture, sports and tourism. In his opinions, the bilateral trade figures showed the trust of potential Malaysian investors in Vietnam, and Vietnam has become a major partner of Malaysia.
On behalf of the Government of Malaysia, Ambassador Dato Azmil Zabidi recognized the contributions of VUFO and the Vietnam - Malaysia Friendship Association to the enhancement of the friendship relations between the two countries, and expressed his belief that the two countries’ relationship will further develop for mutual interests, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world./.
