PUTRAJAYA (Dec 9): Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia from Dec 10 to 14, to attend the inaugural Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council (SMCC) meeting.

The foreign ministry, in a statement on Monday, said that Mohamad will co-chair the meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud.

The SMCC is a bilateral mechanism established to promote cooperation, and act as the coordinating body between the two countries on eight key areas, namely political, security, defence, military, trade and investment, energy and environment, Islamic affairs, education and socio-cultural.

Both ministers are also scheduled to sign two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) — one on cooperation in the field of social development, and another on the mutual short-stay visa exemption for diplomatic and official or special passport holders.

Mohamad will also engage in high-level discussions with other Saudi Ministers, including Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, and Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfig bin Fazwan Al-Rabiah, to discuss matters of mutual interest and explore new areas of cooperation, emphasising on key sectors such as security, visas, umrah and haj, as well as connectivity.

“The visit underscores Malaysia’s continuous commitment to strengthening ties and fostering cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in various sectors, for the mutual benefit of both countries,” the statement read.

Malaysia is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner among Asean member states, and the 7th largest globally.

In 2023, Saudi Arabia was Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with total trade valued at RM50.52 billion (US$11.06 billion).

For the first eight months of 2024, total bilateral trade was valued at RM30.09 billion (US$6.43 billion).

Uploaded by Liza Shireen Koshy