No Trade Pact To Be Signed During Obama Visit, Says Mustapa

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, has indicated that no trade agreement will be signed during US President Barack Obama's visit but a lot of issues will be discussed to strengthen bilateral relationship.

He said Obama's visit to Malaysia, the first by a US president since President Lyndon Johnson in 1966, would discuss various issues including economic, defence, education and entrepreneurship.

"It's an opportunity for us to share our issues and challenges of concern," he told reporters after officiating the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce's (AMCHAM) new office here today.

Also present were US Ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun and AMCHAM President Sanjeev Nanavati.

Yun said Obama visit showcased the strength of the bilateral relationship of Malaysia and the US.

He said the visit would enhance mutual cooperation in various fields, such as educational exchanges, diplomacy, regional collaboration and partnership in trade and investment.

Meanwhile, Sanjeev said, the visit was significant in many ways as the ties between both countries were improving amid the efforts from the current administration of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

"The foundation of the relationship is the investment and trade ties. The visit will help strengthen it and give a further impetus to the foundation," he said.

Obama's visit on April 26 to April 28 was part of the US leader's tour to Asia which includes Japan, South Korea and the Philippine.