LIMA (Peru): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to meet the President of Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, at the Government Palace here on the second day of his official visit to the South American country.
In addition to a bilateral meeting, he is scheduled to receive Peru's highest award, "El Sol del Peru," in recognition of his role as Head of Government during his first official visit to the Latin American nation since assuming office in 2022.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, will witness the exchange of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), one of which is between the Halal Development Corporation (HDC) and the Peruvian Promotion Commission for Export and Tourism (PROMPERU).
The second MoU is on agriculture cooperation between the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and the National Institute of Agricultural Innovation (INIA), while the third MoU is between Taylor's University and the Tourism Training Centre of Peru (CENFOTUR) on cooperation in gastronomy.
Meeting with TikTok, Captains of Industry
Anwar is also scheduled to have a one-on-one meeting with representatives from the social media platform, TikTok, as well as captains of industry here in Lima.
Additionally, he will engage with friends of Malaysia, including members of the Malaysian diaspora.
Earlier, the Prime Minister received the 2024 Annual Report of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) from ABAC Malaysia Chairman, Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.
"This report contains the aspirations of the business sector in the Asia-Pacific Economy for APEC Economic Leaders, aimed at supporting inclusive growth that benefits the people, strengthening business competitiveness, and enhancing regional prosperity," he said.
This report will be carefully reviewed as an important input for policy discussions throughout the APEC conference here, said Anwar on his social media page.
The day will conclude with a welcoming dinner for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting.
Lima, Peru's capital with a population of 11.36 million, is hosting the APEC meetings for the third time after 2008 and 2016.
The western South American country borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north and Brazil to the east. Malaysia and Peru are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Total trade between Malaysia and Peru from January to July 2024 stood at RM1.16 billion, an increase of 36.3 per cent, from RM847.70 million over the same period in 2023.