ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will leave on a six-day visit to South Korea and Malaysia on Wednesday to foster economic and political ties with the countries and address the inaugural meeting of World Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 1.

Mr Aziz, who is being accompanied by a strong delegation, will arrive in Seoul on the first leg of his visit, during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Rho Moo-hyun and Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan with a view to improving economic, trade, investment and cultural ties, besides deliberating on the global and regional situation.

Prime Minister Aziz will also meet South Korean businessmen and investors, besides representatives of media and the Pakistani community.

From South Korea, Mr Aziz will fly to Malaysia, where he will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural session of the World Islamic Economic Forum being hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Ahmad Badawi.

The forum is the brainchild of former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad who had visualized such an entity on the pattern of Davos economic meetings.

Mr Aziz will meet his Malaysian counterpart during which matters of mutual interest will be reviewed besides the evolving international situation affecting regional and global security.

PM Aziz is expected to request his counterpart full dialogue partnership status with Asean, whose chairmanship would pass on to Malaysia in November.

The two prime ministers will jointly inaugurate Expo Pakistan. Mr Aziz will also speak at the International Islamic University in Kuala Lumpur besides interacting with Pakistani community.