These remarks were made by Khairi Bin Omar, Malaysian General Consul in Ho Chi Minh City, at a function on August 27 to mark the 52^nd anniversary of Malaysia’s National Day. The meeting was jointly organised by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association in HCM City.

The General Consul shared with delegates the key strength that has helped bring Malaysia out of economic difficulties and maintain its growth targets for 2010, namely, solidarity among its various ethnic minorities, tolerance of differences and mutual support.

Le Thanh Tam, Chairman of the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association in HCM City, highlighted the steady development of bilateral trade between the countries over the past five years.

He confirmed that his association would step up exchange activities for peace, friendship and solidarity between people of both countries in hopes of making a larger contribution to further enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, culture, and education, along with defence and security, and science and technology.

Malaysia is Vietnam’s third largest trade partner within ASEAN with two-way trade topping US$4.55 billion last year. It now ranks as the top Southeast Asian investor in Vietnam, having pumped around US$19.7 billion into 322 projects.