By Genalyn Kabiling Believing there is room for improvement, Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to enhance cooperation on trade, investment, and infrastructure development. President Rodrigo Duterte accompanies Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during his state visit at Malacañang Palace on Thursday, March 7, 2019. (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN) Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has recognized that trade between the two Asian neighbors have been increasing over the years but was largely in favor of Malaysia. Mahathir, on a two-day official visit to the country, met with President Duterte in Malacañang to tackle bilateral issues and concerns including economic and security cooperation and peace efforts in Mindanao. "The President and I strongly believe that trade and investment between the two countries could be further strengthened in the coming years," Mahathir said after the meeting with Duterte. "I believe there is still room for improvement and from my meeting with Mr. President, we would encourage private sectors from both countries to explore opportunities of collaboration and venture in new cooperation and investments,” he added. He said one of the priority areas for closer cooperation was to enhance connectivity which he claimed vital to promoting economic development. Mahathir noted that Malaysia and the Philippines could use the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area to assist the Mindanao Development Authority. At present, he said the Philippines is ranked as Malaysia’s 15th largest trading partner globally and fourth largest trading partner among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries. The two leaders also discussed the progress in the present areas of tourism, health, and education including the investment of their private sectors during the meeting. Mahathir said he looks forward to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries on cooperation in the field of health. "I highlighted that Malaysia has been a favorite healthcare destination for the Philippines. The number of patients from the Philippines seeking treatment in Malaysia has been increasing over the years," he said. He said he and Duterte recognized the importance of education and tackled programs for teachers and students in Madrasahs, especially in Mindanao. "We have very strong and close ties within our two countries at every level. I fully support the theme 'Partners for Progress, Brothers for Peace' for this visit," he said.