Putrajaya, 3 March 2005 – Acknowledging that the Philippine economy is on an upswing under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi today said that the economic growth of the country was a result of the proper implementation of good economic and fiscal reforms.

The Prime Minister made this comment during the call of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo on him today in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia.

“The Prime Minister told me that he was glad that the economic and fiscal reforms of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are generating growth and progress and that he wished her the best,” Secretary Romulo said after his call on the Prime Minister.

Secretary Romulo said that they discussed RP-Malaysia relations and that “the Prime Minister was determined to personally spur relations between our two countries.”

‘We talked about the challenges facing our region and our world.  He shared his views and insights, many of which were responsible for the progress of Malaysia as a nation and as a leader in international fora,” the Secretary said.  Malaysia is currently the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

“We also talked about Malaysia’s own successful mining experience and the Prime Minister said that the Philippine mining sector is very promising and that he would be asking Malaysian mining companies to invest in the Philippines,” the Secretary said.

Discussions also centered on the issue of undocumented Filipinos in Malaysia.  “I received the assurance of the Prime Minister that in applying their immigration laws, our undocumented nationals will be treated fairly and humanely.  He also agreed that we should establish a mechanism through which complaints can be properly and expeditiously addressed,” the Secretary said. END
 

/jay