Malaysian Firms Eye Sri Lanka's Solar, Infra Sector

By P.Vijian CHENNAI, India, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Several Malaysian construction and infrastructure service providers concluded a marketing mission to Sri Lanka with potential sales of RM16.3 million. (US$1=RM3.18) The companies were part of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation's (Matrade) two-day marketing mission to the South Asian country. "Products most sought after other than building materials were solar power related products to accommodate the increasing demand for alternative power source in the country," said Shah Nizam Ahmad, Chennai-based Matrade Commissioner. Power-hungry Sri Lanka is in the process of developing solar power as an alternative to biomass and hydropower, its primary sources, to feed its robust economy propelling at seven per cent. The country, with 20 million population, is gearing to increase non-conventional renewable energy to 10 per cent by 2015. The mission, from Dec 6-7, was largely to promote Malaysian expertise in the island state that is busy upgrading its infrastructure facilities. Leading Malaysian construction companies have implemented a total of 13 projects in Sri Lanka valued at US$365 million (about RM1 billion) until this year. --BERNAMA Malaysia