by BERNAMA/ pic by BERNAMA

PRIME Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is scheduled to arrive in Russia today for a threeday visit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Malaysian ambassador to Russia Datuk Mat Dris Yaacob (picture) said the visit would enhance the diplomatic ties and spur bilateral trade between the two countries.

The PM will be accompanied by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.

Speaking to the Malaysian media in Vladivostok yesterday, Mat Dris said Dr Mahathir and his delegation will take part in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) for the first time.

The PM will join other nations’ leaders at the forum that provides a platform for discussing issues aimed at expanding international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Tomorrow, he is expected to speak at the forum’s plenary session, the key event of the fifth EEF, held at the Far Eastern Federal University campus in Vladivostok.

“Dr Mahathir will discuss bilateral ties and promote new cooperation in various sectors including trade and investment,” Mat Dris said.

According to him, shipbuilding, tourism, education, construction, aviation and aerospace are some of the economic areas in Valdivostok that could be explored further by Malaysian companies.

Meanwhile, forum organiser Roscongress Foundation quoted the advisor to the Russian president Anton Kobyakov as saying that Russia was keen to develop cooperation with Malaysia in the trade, military-technical and humanitarian spheres.

He suggested that Malaysia cooperate with the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC) to build more intensive trade relations between the two countries.

“The EEC is a promising platform for the formation of common international markets,” Kobyakov said.

He pointed out that Malaysia has a number of major investment projects in Russia. — Bernama