Aside from the constant areas of cooperation such as agriculture, food security, tourism, digital economy, and people-to-people exchanges, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. intends to explore new ties with Malaysia on the Halal industry and Islamic banking.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel B. Pabalate)

Exploring the new areas of cooperation will be included in the agenda of Marcos during his state visit in the foreign country on July 25 to 27.

According to Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, the President is expected to meet the King of Malaysia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who visited Manila in March this year.

Daza said the "reciprocal visit" between the leaders of both countries in 2023 will be a "testament to the reinvigorated relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia."

She added that the meeting will also be timely as two nations will be marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"He will pursue bilateral cooperations in priority  areas in support of the economic agenda of the country and that will include  agriculture, food security, tourism, digital economy, and will also focus on people to people exchanges," Daza said.

"But there will be new areas that will be explored and this would include the  Halal industry and Islamic banking," she added.

During the visit, the President will also meet with prominent Filipino and Malaysian business leaders to enhance bilateral trade and investment and to explore economic opportunities.

Daza cited that Malaysia is among the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines, and top 22 source of approved investments in the country in 2022. Malaysia also ranks in the top 20 in terms of tourist arrivals in 2023.

While in Malaysia, the Chief Executive will also meet with the Filipino community living there to personally inform them of his administration's plans and programs for overseas Filipinos.

"He will be meeting with the Filipino community, and it's safe to assume that the programs of the government relative to the promotion of the welfare of our migrant workers will be raised," the Foreign Affairs official said.

According to Daza, in terms of verified number of contracts of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that went through the migrant workers office in 2022, there are about 14,488 household workers, 300 professionals, 700 highly-skilled, 800 semi-skilled, and 260 general labor. This forms part of some 100,000 of Filipinos in Malaysia in 2022.

Meanwhile, the President will be accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and key Cabinet officials, including the Foreign Affairs Secretary and members of the Economic Team.

Marcos will also bring a business delegation to Malaysia as part of his trade and investment promotion during the state visit.