Philippine President Benigno Aquino will pay an official visit to Malaysia from February 27-28 to foster more robust ties between the two countries, according to a source from the Presidential Palace.

This will be President Aquino’s first foreign trip this year, during which he is expected to have a bilateral meeting with Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Boosting the economy in southern Philippines will be among the main topics of discussion between the two leaders, Malaysia 's paper ''The Star'' reported.

They will also exchange views on how to boost trade activities in the region, it said.

The paper quoted Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman as saying that the two leaders will see how investment could be increased in the region especially after the signing of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Besides, they will discuss the illegal immigrant issue in Sabah , he added.

Minister Anifah also said that President Aquino is expected to extend an official invitation to Najib to attend the historic signing of the final peace accord between the Philippine government and the MILF in Manila next month.

(Source: VNA)