PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will undertake a state visit to Malaysia from today till Thursday, marking his inaugural visit to the country.

During the visit, Marcos will be received in a state welcoming ceremony at Istana Negara by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah tomorrow.

“Subsequently, President Marcos Jr will have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong followed by a state banquet in honour of the president and his delegation,” a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.

Marcos will be accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, with the delegation comprising cabinet secretaries, elected representatives and senior officials of the government of the Philippines.

Marcos is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, where both leaders are expected to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The visit underscores the longstanding friendship and close ties between the two countries as close neighbours and partners in Asean, including through various high-level exchanges such as Anwar’s recent official visit to Manila in March 2023.

In 2022, the Philippines was Malaysia’s 15th largest trading partner globally and the fifth largest among the Asean member states, with total trade amounting to RM41.45 billion (US$9.42 billion) – an increase of 20.1% compared to the recorded value in 2021. – Bernama, July 25, 2023.