Mood

: Malaysia remains a competitive location for investments, particularly
in the manufacturing sector, Malaysian Industrial Development
Authority (MIDA) Director General Datuk Jalilah Baba stated recently.

Responding to some claims that the country was losing its edge for
foreign direct investments (FDI), Datuk Jalilah Baba said that some
4,432 projects representing about 75% of all projects approved from
2002 until last year have been implemented while the rest were in
various stages of implementation per NST.

Speaking at a media networking session in Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Jalilah
said MIDA has assigned officers to assist companies to facilitate
speedy and smooth implementation of projects have managed to contain
the non-implemetation at a manageable 5.4%.

For the first seven months of the year, Malaysia attracted 496
projects with cumulative FDI of RM32.5 billion or 74.7% of total
approved investments of RM43.5 billion.
With the strong numbers, the 2008 FDI approvals are set to exceed the
RM33.4 billion recorded in 2007.

During the current global financial crisis, slower economic growth,
tightening of credit standards, rise in risk premiums and sharp
exchange of rate fluctuations, Datuk Jalilah Baba expects slower FDI
inflows in the short- and medium-term.

Malaysia, she reaffirmed, is focusing on attracting high technology,
capital intensive and knowledge-based industries, in the
manufacturing sector including the resource-based industries.

Meanwhile, to further promote FDIs as well as encouraging cross
border investments by Malaysian companies, Datuk Jalilah said MIDA is
set to open seven more overseas offices worldwide- in Houston (US),
Munich (Germany), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Jakarta (Indonesia),
Johannesburg (South Africa), Bangkok (Thailand) and Beijing (China)
and a state office in Kangar, Perlis.

This year to-date, MIDA has opened three new offices in Guangzhou,
Mumbai and Dubai.

Earlier at the launching of the MIDA-ITAP Capacity Building Programme
for Investment Promotion Officials of OIC Member Countries yesterday,
Datuk Jalilah said for the first seven months of the year, approved
investments from the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) member
countries, notably United Arab Emirates, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia
and Indonesia, amounted to some RM83.8million in nine projects.

Meanwhile, ITAP (Investment Promotion Technical Assistance Programme)
Head, Torek Farhadi said investors would consider countries like
Malaysia as an investment haven due to its ability to remain
competitive despite the weak global economic situation.

Malaysia'ss ability to attract significant FDIs is a testimony to the
country's competitiveness, he said, positive that the global economic
downturn would yield more business for Malaysia.

On the MIDA-ITAP programme, Datuk Jalilah said it was aimed at
bolstering ties between Malaysia and OIC member countries. The
programme would also serve to build up a base for Malaysian companies
planning to venture into these countries, she added.

The programme was attended by 35 participants from 26 OIC countries,
who will be updated on Malaysia's experience in the development of
high-technology parks, industrial estate development and customs-
related areas.

One of DK Malaysia's main goals is to promote investment, business
opportunities, trade, travel and tourism in Malaysia and to assist
MIDA, MITI, MATRADE and Tourism Malaysia achieve their goals and
objectives. I look forward to hearing from all of you and have a
great day.

Remember, Now is a good time to Visit Malaysia!

All the best,

Fred Plimley
President - DK Malaysia Development, LLC
Host/Moderaor - Linkedin Malaysia
f.plimley@dkmalaysia.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fredplimley
(951) 243-3602
(909) 214-8783
(+44) 020 7193 7317
Skype ID: fredplimley

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