Malaysia underscored close economic and military ties with Korea at a reception celebrating its 55th anniversary as an independent nation at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Sept. 10.

Malaysian Ambassador to Korea Dato’ Ramlan bin Ibrahim addressed more than 100 foreign envoys, military personnel, local government officials and friends of Malaysia with Noh Dae-lae, commissioner of the state-run Defense Acquisition Program Administration, during the reception.

Malaysia’s National Day is Aug. 31.

“We are happy to note that Korea achieved ‘triple eights’ for Malaysia. (Korea) is Malaysia’s eighth-largest trading partner, eighth-largest export destination and eighth-largest source of imports,” Dato’ Ramlan said, adding that the number eight is considered auspicious in East Asia.

“I am sure this bodes well for our two countries and our common desire to expand and deepen their excellent relations further,” he said.

Korea is also eyeing Malaysia’s annual Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in March next year to showcase its high-tech wares.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Malaysia spends about $4 billion on its military, the fourth highest among its ASEAN neighbors.

Malaysia provides Korea ― the world’s fifth-largest consumer of liquefied natural gas ― with about one-quarter of its total LNG needs, and the Asian nations’ annual two-way trade is $16 billion.

Korea is also one of Malaysia’s main sources of foreign direct investment with more than 300 projects implemented for $3 billion, more than half of which occurred last year in 10 projects worth $1.7 billion.

Korea is now Malaysia’s second-largest foreign investor after Japan. Malaysia has in turn invested about $2.6 billion in Korea to date.

By Philip lglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)