2 weeks Ago By New Straits Times
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, fresh from a meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, said his counterpart has a strong commitment to deepening relations between the two countries.He said he had conveyed his appreciation to Paetongtarn for this during the bilateral meeting in Government House in Bangkok."We welcomed progress on existing agreements, particularly efforts to boost economic growth in northern Malaysia and southern Thailand.
"With Thailand now Malaysia's sixth-largest trading partner and total trade exceeding US$25 billion last year, these initiatives will, help us reach our US$30 billion target by 2027."To this end, we agreed to accelerate key projects, including the new Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok bridge and flood mitigation works along the Golok river," he said in a Facebook posting. Anwar also said he and Paetongtarn witnessed a "significant milestone" with the signing of the Friendship Bridge construction agreement by our respective ministers.
"Our discussion also touched on US tariffs, where we reaffirmed our shared commitment to addressing the issue collectively through Asean, guided by dialogue and a sustainable, fair approach."The "Friendship Bridge" is the Second Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge to be built at a cost of RM40.54 million and completed in 2028.
The cost will be borne equally by both governments.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
