Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
Abdullah ... Visit to solidify relationship between Jamaica and Malaysia. - REUTERS
WESTERN BUREAU:
MALAYSIAN PRIME Minister Dato seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi will make a one-day official visit to Jamaica next Tuesday, after a three-day tour of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Prime Minister's visit was confirmed by Junior Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Delano Franklyn, who said Malaysia has had very deep historical ties with Jamaica over the years.
Prime Minister Abdullah is to hold discussions on the areas of sports, information communication technology (ICT), education, infrastructural development and construction services.
"His visit is mainly to solidify the relationship which exists between both countries," Senator Franklyn said.
Both countries are members of the Commonwealth, G-15 (a grouping of 17 nations) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
The NAM is a group of nations that attempted to form a Third World force through a policy of non-alignment with the United States and the Soviet Union.
Yugoslavia, India, and Indonesia were instrumental in founding the (1961) movement. Its members are mainly developing nations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
DEEP BOND
Senator Franklyn said that, as one of the countries of the south with challenges similar to Jamaica, in terms of its development there has always been a deep bond of solidarity between the two countries.
This trip will be the first official visit to the island by a Head of Government since Prime Minister Simpson Miller assumed office.
An invitation offered to the Malaysian Prime Minister some time ago is just now being taken up.
Prime Minister Abdullah is expected to be accompanied by his country's Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu; Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Azalina Othman Said; Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Deputy Foreign Minister Joseph Salang, as well as senior officials of Prime Minister's office, foreign ministry and other government agencies.
