by NURUL SUHAIDI / pic by TMR FILE

THE Foreign Affairs Minister has reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam.

Its minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (picture) said during the 6th Joint Commission Meeting (6th JCM) between the two countries, discussions included post-Covid-19 recovery plans, reopening of borders, vaccine development as well as the Halal industry.

Also present during the meeting was his Vietnam counterpart Bui Thanh Son.

“Both parties had a fruitful discussion and extensive exchange of views on a wide range of bilateral and international issues,” Saifuddin said in a statement yesterday.

Among others, the meeting adopted the Plan of Action (POA) 2021-2025 for the Implementation of the Framework for Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and Vietnam.

The POA sets a target to achieve total bilateral trade of USD18 billion by 2025.

Malaysia and Vietnam are also looking forward to growing the two-way investments and encouraging business-to-business ventures to meet the target.

The meeting has paved the way for the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and reinvigorate Malaysia-Vietnam ties affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the minister said.

“The success of the meeting reflected the longstanding close relations between the two countries,” he added.