Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Sudan on Monday

April 14, 2007 (KUALA LUMPUR) — Malaysian Prime Minister is expected in Khartoum next Monday as a part of African tour to strengthen ties, particularly in the areas of trade and investment.

The prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who will be in Sudan on April 16-17, is scheduled to hold talks with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on issues of mutual interest as well as issues pertaining to political development in the region.

Abdullha will also visit Kenya and Namibia. Sudan, Kenya and Namibia are among the fastest-growing economies in the African continent. They provide Malaysian exporters a gateway to the region’s market.

On April 18-19 April, Abdullah will travel southeast to neighboring Kenya where he is scheduled to meet President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi.

He then flies to Namibia in southern Africa, on April 20-21, for discussions with President Hifikepunye Pohamba in Windhoek.

Abdullah will be accompanied by five ministers, two chief ministers, four Members of Parliament and several senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Department, Foreign, International Trade and Industry and Higher Education ministries.

A Malaysian private sector delegation comprising businessmen and entrepreneurs will also accompany the prime minister during the visits.

Abdullah will deliver keynote addresses at business fora in all the three capitals and also meet Malaysian communities there.

International rights group Amnesty International Malaysia on Saturday called on Abdullah to raise the issue of human rights violations and the ongoing tragedy of Darfur during his meeting in the Sudan.

(ST)