"This year, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Malaysia. Much progress has been achieved in economic cooperation by setting up a bilateral business council, signing first memorandums of understanding, growing trade (one Lithuanian company is planning major investments in the state of Perak). But the potential has not as yet been fully exploited, as we still have many areas for the development of mutual business projects," said the Prime Minister.
Last year, Lithuania-Malaysia trade turnover stood at 9.6 million euros. The first half of this year has shown 52 per cent increase in exports to Malaysia against the same period in 2013. This was the result of the growing popularity of certain food items. "Lithuanian goods are finding their niche in the Malaysian market," said the Prime Minister of Lithuania.
The Lithuanian Head of Government also brought up the subject of Economic Cooperation Agreement between Lithuania and the Government of Malaysia, pointing out the need to step up its completion.
"Our states could also find much in common in science and education. Cultural exchanges encourage people to get to know each other better, therefore Malaysian students are welcome come to study in Lithuania. Young people are offered here internationally recognized higher education programmes taught in English," said Prime Minister Butkevičius.
The Malaysian Prime Minister has expressed interest in the possibility of medical and engineering studies with state scholarship. It is planned to send a delegation of experts for a study visit to learn more about the Lithuanian higher education and the universities.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister took the opportunity to convey the condolences to the Malaysian Prime Minister over the crash of the Malaysian airliner in the separatist-controlled territory of Ukraine.
