KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has offered two scholarships to Peruvian students to pursue higher education in Malaysia next year.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Peru's President Dina Boluarte highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration between education and training institutions.

This collaboration, they said, would include scholarship exchanges, recognition of qualifications, sharing of expertise and knowledge exchange in areas of common interest.

"Anwar undertook an inaugural official visit to Peru on Nov 13 at Boluarte's invitation. This occasion marks his first official visit to Peru and to the Latin-American and Caribbean region," the statement said.

"Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the state of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Peru since its establishment on April 24, 1986.

"Both leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on deepening the multi-faceted Peru-Malaysia bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest, and reached a broad consensus."

Both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, including through enhanced cooperation in culture and tourism.

"They reaffirmed their interest in deepening their cultural ties to bring their peoples closer for mutual knowledge of their respective traditions and customs.

"Malaysia also welcomes Peruvian travellers to visit Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026."

Both leaders also emphasised the need to promote more frequent high-level exchanges between the two nations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

They also expressed a shared willingness to continue identifying new areas for collaboration.

"This is evidenced by the conclusion of the memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the fields of halal, agriculture, as well as gastronomy and hospitality.

"Both leaders also recognised the importance of South-South cooperation in strengthening bilateral relations, including in the areas of biodiversity, renewable energy and climate change."

The two countries also welcomed the engagement between their enforcement agencies to combat transnational crime, including human trafficking and labour exploitation, terrorism, terrorism financing, cybercrime, illegal drug trafficking and cybersecurity.

Recognising the potential bilateral trade between Malaysia and Peru, the leaders agreed to expedite procedures to facilitate the entry of new products into their markets, while emphasising the importance of encouraging responsible, sustainable and inclusive bilateral investment flows and upholding the principles of efficiency and integrity.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1134336/malaysia-offers-two-scholarships-peru-students