HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visits Malaysia today and Monday at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V. The visit comes as part of HH the Emir’s South East Asia tour, as he plans to visit Singapore and Indonesia shortly after.

Qatar and Malaysia have close relations in political, economic and social affairs. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry announced that HH Sheikh Tamim will be accompanied by several cabinet ministers, senior government officials, as well as a business delegation.

“This will be Sheikh Tamim’s first state visit to Malaysia since he ascended to the throne on June 25, 2013 as the eighth Emir of Qatar. The last state visit by the Emir of Qatar to Malaysia was by his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on May 19 and  20 in  2009,” the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Malaysia's leader, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, at his succession

Qatar was Malaysia’s 40th largest trading partner in 2016, with US$566 million worth of total trade. Malaysia’s total exports to Qatar were documented at US$150 million, while imports were US$416 million.

HH Sheikh Tamim is also slated to have a restricted meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, followed by an expanded delegation meeting at the prime minister’s  residence in Seri Perdana.

HH the Emir’s visit to Malaysia comes around eight months after Malaysia welcomed Saudi Arabia’s King Salman at the end of February, the first visit by a Saudi king in more than a decade.

Following the Malaysia visit, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo of Indonesia is scheduled to meet with HH the Emir during his two-day visit to Jakarta.

Image credits:

Cover image - Business Recorder

Inline image - The Malaysian Mail Online