PUTRAJAYA: Security and fostering stronger bilateral ties are among the items up for discussion in today's meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Duterte arrived at the Perdana Putra Complex about 4.30pm and was greeted by Najib.
Also on hand to welcome Duterte were senior ministers including Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan.
The Philippines president and his delegate were accorded an official welcome by 103-man 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Azlan Shah Baharom, in conjunction with their two-day visit.
This is Duterte's inaugural visit to Malaysia since he took office as the President of the Philippines on June 30.
He is scheduled to have a discussion with Najib, taking stock of the progress of the ongoing bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the republic and exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
For the period of January to August, Malaysia’s total trade with the Philippines increased by 5.4 per cent to RM13.15 billion (USD3.22 billion), compared to the same period in 2015 which stood at RM12.48 billion (USD3.36 billion).
In 2015, the Philippines was ranked Malaysia’s 5th largest trading partner in Asean and 10th largest trading partner globally.