Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will witness the inking of several deals during talks in Sumatra this week, the Malaysian government said today.

The traditional annual meeting is the first since the pair assumed leadership of their countries, the government said in a statement to the official Bernama news agency.

Abdullah will travel to Bukit Tinggi in Sumatra Thursday for the two-day meeting with a delegation including several cabinet ministers, the chief ministers of six states and business leaders.

Common concern

The leaders will address regional and international issues of common concern, and witness the signing of several agreements, including on avoidance of double taxation, border crossings, heritage conservation and education.

Other private sector agreements to be signed will cover the construction of an offshore gas pipeline and cooperation in the oil palm industry.