BERLIN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today paid a courtesy call on German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the latter's official residence, Bellevue Palace, here today.
The prime minister arrived at 2pm where he was welcomed upon arrival by Steinmeier.
Anwar was also accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The prime minister then signed the Bellevue Palace guest book before having a private meeting with the president.
Steinmeyer had visited Malaysia in Feb last year, during which he said Malaysia is set to become a key destination for German companies to diversify their businesses and investments, with more than 700 German companies in Malaysia creating 65,000 jobs.
Anwar is also scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz later today.
He will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the Federal Chancellery prior to their meeting.
The two are expected to hold a four-eyed meeting before holding a joint press conference with Malaysian and German media.
Anwar, in his first official visit to Germany and Europe as prime minister, is scheduled to attend a series of programmes involving German government leaders, representatives of major businesses as well as captains of industry.
Germany has been Malaysia's largest trading partner among European Union members since 2000, while Malaysia is Germany's biggest trading partner in Asean.
In 2023, Malaysia's total trade with Germany rose by 5.9 per cent to RM63.45 billion (US$13.90 billion) compared to RM59.87 billion (US$13.62 billion) in 2022.