PUTRAJAYA: Germany considers Malaysia as a good destination to diversify businesses.
German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier said there are currently 700 German companies creating 65,000 job opportunities for the people in Malaysia.
"Your country has developed into a key partner in economic terms for us and we want to intensify this succesful cooperation.
"The German companies have invested in Malaysia for many years with more than 700 companies based in the country.
"The German business community has embarked on diversification in manufacturing and supply chain," he said in a joint-press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at his office here today.
Steinmeier, who is on a three-day visit to Malaysia, said the technical and vocational education training (TVET) sector in the country should be intensified.
During his visit to Penang and Kedah yesterday, Steinmeier said there were fewer TVET centres for youths despite there being many German high-tech companies producing semiconductors and medical supplies.
At the same press conference, Anwar announced that Petronas expressed its interest in expanding its export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany.
"I have appealed to the (German) president to do whatever he can to enhance the bilateral relations in all fields," he said.
Anwar said he and Steinmeier have pledged support and committment in enhancing bilateral relations, diplomatic investments and climate concerns.
"I had also expressed concern on Islamophobia and the growing facism in parts of Europe and the West," he said.
During the meeting, the two leaders also spoke on the Russian-Ukraine conflict and its repurcussions towards the Asean region.
Steinmeier also vowed that Germany will stand together with Malaysian in condeming Russia's act of aggresion against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of the United Nation's Charter.