Malaysia and Saudi Arabia pledged to boost cooperation in various areas and welcomed Malaysian involvement in major construction projects undertaken by the Saudi government ahead of an official visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak next month. The two countries expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral ties during a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia over the weekend by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, said a Wisma Putra statement on Monday. Anifah called on King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on Sunday after meeting Saudi Second Deputy Prime Minister Prince Nayef Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Finance Minister Ibrahim Abdul Aziz Al-Assaf and his counterpart Prince Saud Al-Faisal the day before. The Malaysia Foreign Ministry in a statement Anifah conveyed the Prime Minister's intention to make a visit on Jan 15 and 16, the first official visit by Najib since he assumed the post in April. Najib, in a visit to the Kingdom in July, indicated to King Abdullah that his country might play a more active role in Islamic banking, Islamic products and services and equity in Malaysia following the liberalization of the Malaysian economy.
