Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : COLONIA, URUGUAY
Tarikh/Date : 04/11/95
Tajuk/Title : THE LUNCHEON HOSTED BY HIS
EXCELLENCY DR. JULIO
MARIA SANGUINETTI
First of all, may I, Mr. President, thank you for your
very kind words of welcome and the warm reception and
gracious hospitality accorded to me and members of the
Malaysian delegation. I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank you, the Government and the people of
the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, for the very cordial
reception and excellent hospitality extended to His Majesty
the King of Malaysia who visited your country just two
months ago.
2. My visit to your country, coming so soon after the
visit of His Majesty the King, attests to the importance
that Malaysia attaches to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
I am struck not only by the natural beauty of your country
and the warmth of its people, but also by the dynamism and
vibrancy of Uruguay's economic growth and development. The
Malaysian delegation has obtained a first-hand impression of
the clear signs that make Uruguay what it is today, a
thriving business, financial and service centre with
tremendous potential to become a gateway to the Southern
Cone.
3. We deeply appreciate the emphasis that is being
accorded by the Government of the Oriental Republic of
Uruguay to the Asia-Pacific Region, including Malaysia.
Your decision to establish a resident diplomatic mission at
Ambassadorial level in Kuala Lumpur in December 1994 as the
only Uruguayan mission in South-east Asia, is a concrete
manifestation of your country's desire to promote bilateral
relations with Malaysia. It was only recently in January
1988 that we established diplomatic relations with each
other. However, it is a matter of satisfaction that during
this period, our bilateral relations have steadily
developed.
4. Today,we have had the opportunity to exchange views on
international issues of mutual concern, as well as on the
developments taking place in our respective regions. Both
countries have demonstrated our mutual commitment to expand
and strengthen our bilateral relations. The two agreements
that were concluded a few months ago on trade and investment
guarantee would certainly provide the necessary framework
for the promotion of bilateral trade and economic
cooperation. I am also happy to note the increase in the
exchange of visits which have contributed to creating a
greater awareness of each other as well as the opportunities
that exist for expansion of our relations. In this regard,
the private sector has an important and catalytic role to
play in the promotion of concrete trade and economic
relations. My Government has embarked on certain policies
including privatisation and the Malaysia Incorporated
concept which permit a useful interaction between the
Government and private sector. This has helped us to
achieve a good rate of economic growth averaging about 8.5
percent for the past 7 years. Having set in place the legal
instruments, efforts now should be undertaken to realise the
full potential for expansion of our bilateral economic ties.
We stand ready to share our experiences in privatisation
which I believe your government is also implementing.
5. Mr.President, Malaysia is following with keen interest
the developments that are taking place in Latin America in
particular the Southern Cone. We observe that MERCOSUR is
making progress and taking shape. I am convinced that there
are good prospects for Malaysia and its ASEAN partners to
build a strategic and global partnership with MERCOSUR.
ASEAN with a population of about 300 million and MERCOSUR
with a combined population of 200 million can forge a useful
partnership which can be of mutual benefit. There are many
areas of interest which we can look into including trade,
investment and tourism. We can benefit by sharing each
other's experiences, technological advances and specialised
skills in certain areas which can be promoted within the
spirit of South-South Cooperation. Already Malaysia has
established linkages with other South countries especially
with member countries within the framework of G-15. These
linkages which include the Bilateral Payments Arrangements
and SITTDEC or the South Investment Trade and Technology
Centre have proven useful in generating greater bilateral
trade as well as promoting awareness of each other. We have
also taken initiatives to establish direct air links between
Malaysia, Buenos Aires and Mexico City. There are
possibilities of expansion of air routes to other countries
in Latin America. I am confident that together both
Malaysia and Uruguay can harness their energy and resources
to promote greater trade and economic ties for the mutual
benefit of the two countries and peoples.
6. In conclusion, Mr. President, I would like to once
again express my deepest gratitude for the excellent
reception and hospitality which you have accorded us. I
look forward to your visit to Malaysia in the not too
distant future which would provide us yet another
opportunity to continue our consultations on issues of
mutual interest as well as the promotion of bilateral
relations.
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