SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN MALAYSIA FOR OFFICIAL VISIT, 47TH ASEAN SUMMIT
By Mohd Ashraf Stafiq Mazlan
SEPANG, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Malaysia tonight for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as the Guest of the Chair.
The special aircraft carrying Ramaphosa and his delegation landed at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), at about 11 pm and were received by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.
Ramaphosa then inspected a guard of honour comprising 28 officers and personnel from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Captain Ahmad Fakhruzzakirin Abdul Rahman.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said this will be Ramaphosa’s first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February 2018.
According to the statement, Ramaphosa will be accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya tomorrow, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar at Seri Perdana Complex.
Ramaphosa has also been invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Sunday.
On Monday, he is scheduled to deliver his remarks at the 20th East Asia Summit and to attend the gala dinner hosted by Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
In 2024, South Africa ranked as Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade amounting to RM7.82 billion (USD1.71 billion).
Malaysia’s exports to South Africa were valued at RM3.84 billion (USD0.84 billion), while imports stood at RM3.98 billion (USD0.87 billion). These figures underscore the growing economic linkages and the vast potential for further cooperation between the two nations.
Malaysia’s main exports to South Africa included palm oil and palm oil-based products, petroleum products and electrical and electronic products, while imports from South Africa comprised manufactures of metal and agricultural products, such as fresh and dried fruits and processed food.
Malaysia and South Africa established diplomatic relations in November 1993, with bilateral ties characterised by strong diplomatic, economic and historical bonds.
Both countries also cooperate closely at various multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and BRICS.
Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will host the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26 to 28.
This Summit, which brings together leaders from ASEAN and their dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Brazil, Australia and the European Council, is set to be the largest to be held since the bloc’s inception in 1967.
This year also marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing ASEAN, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
-- BERNAMA
