PM ANWAR TO UNDERTAKE OFFICIAL VISIT TO RUSSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will make an official visit to Russia from May 13 to 16 – starting in Moscow from May 13, before heading to Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, on May 15 to attend the XVI International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum.”

According to the Foreign Ministry, widely known as Wisma Putra, the visit underscores Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with Russia and advancing regional and multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN and BRICS.

“In Moscow, the Prime Minister will hold high-level meetings with President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to take stock of bilateral relations and advance cooperation in areas including trade and investment, agriculture and agri-commodities, education, aerospace and energy.

“The leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual importance,” said Wisma Putra in a statement.

Wisma Putra noted that, as Chair of ASEAN in 2025, Malaysia will explore avenues to further deepen cooperation within the framework of ASEAN-Russia Dialogue Relations.

The Prime Minister will also engage industry leaders at a roundtable meeting; deliver a public lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGMO); and meet the Malaysian diaspora in Moscow, it added.

Wisma Putra said in Kazan, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet the Rais (head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, and deliver a special address at the meeting of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia-Islamic World.”

The highlight of the Prime Minister’s visit to Kazan is his participation in the XVI International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum”, where he is invited to deliver a keynote address during the plenary session. The KazanForum is the main platform for economic cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, it said. 

According to Wisma Putra, Anwar will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Li Kang; Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

In 2024, Russia was Malaysia’s ninth-largest trading partner among European countries, with total trade reaching RM11.46 billion (US$2.48 billion).

Malaysia’s key exports to Russia included electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment and parts, and processed foods.

The statement said that imports from Russia primarily comprised petroleum products, minerals, and chemical and chemical-based products.

-- BERNAMA