Mukhriz's Trade Mission To Kyoto, Nagoya Woos Japanese Investors To M'sia

From Massita Ahmad NAGOYA, April 24 (Bernama) -- Overwhelming response from Japanese investors at the "Business Opportunities in Malaysia" seminar held here and in Kyoto lends credence that Japanese investors are keen to seize the opportunities and incentives offered by the Malaysian government. Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the seminars held at the two cities were attended by about 550 senior company officials from the various economic sectors of the developed nation. The seminars were hosted by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) in conjunction with the two-day trade and investment mission by Mukhriz to the two cities beginning yesterday. "The two seminars were full house despite hosting such seminars often. It's a good sign to them and to Malaysia," said Mukhriz, who led the 36-member delegation. The delegation comprise senior government officials, representatives from the north, east coast and Iskandar Malaysia economic corridors and private sector officials. The mission, which concluded Tuesday, was a follow-up to previous trade and investment missions in July and December last year. Questions posed at the seminars also clearly reflected the investors' interest to invest in Malaysia. Twenty questions were directed at Mukhriz who was quite fluent in Japanese language. Their questions mostly centred on political stability, economy, halal industry, animation, biomass and waste management. Mukhriz said he also received feedback from participants on economic management. He said long-term economic and financial management was crucial in the business world. "They see Malaysia as a gateway to penetrate the Asean market with more than 530 million people. They also appreciated Malaysia's cordial ties with Pakistan and other Islamic nations. "They face some challenges to enter the Islamic countries' market. They intend to add value to their products manufactured in Malaysia with the intention to export the goods to Islamic nations," he said. At the business-matching session in Kyoto alone, the mission succeeded in securing business with a proposed value totalling RM197.6 million covering several major sectors like electrical and electronics, scientific equipment, green technology and automotive. According to the ministry, as of Dec 31, 2011, a total of 2,422 manufacturing projects were implemented with US$19.45 billion in total investments. Japan was ranked as the largest investor with a total of 77 projects worth US$3.2 billion last year A total of 43 manufacturing projects were implemented amounting to US$454 million. As for trade last year, Japan continued to be the leading major trading partner for Malaysia in the East Asia region, second largest after China and was Malaysia's third largest overall global trading partner. Malaysia's trade with Japan registered a positive nine per cent growth, clinching US$47.48 billion with exports worth US$26.13 billion and imports valued at US$21.35 billion. (US$1=RM3.06) -- BERNAMA