PM Najib Urges More Malaysians To Invest In Myanmar

FROM LESLEAN ARSHAD NAYPYITAW (Myanmar), March 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak Thursday called on the Malaysian community in Myanmar, who are mostly businessmen, to help in bringing more Malaysians to the country that is set to take-off as soon as the sanctions on Myanmar are lifted. Being the pioneers of Malaysian business in Myanmar, Najib said their experience and endevours could be very useful to put Malaysia in a strategic position to benefit from the opening up of the country. "As the pioneer, I hope you are all ready and will open the door to more Malaysians coming here. "We do need to position ourselves that we are in a strategic position to take advantage of the country embarking on the journey towards liberalisation, reform, progress and democracy," he said when addressing the Malaysian community in Myanmar, here in conjunction with his two-day official visit to Myanmar, ending Thursday. Najib said he sensed the sincerity of Myanmar President U Thein Sein to take the journey, which the latter described as "irreversible". Hoping that Malaysians could response to the development in a very positive manner, Najib said while the government could only act as a catalyst and provide support, "at the end of the day you have to seize the opportunities". Najib at the event also announced the establishment of MATRADE office in Myanmar by the middle of this year to facilitate Malaysian business ventures. The Malaysian premier said when he told Thein Sein to broaden bilateral trade, the Myanmar leader was very forthcoming and wanted more Malaysians to invest in the country. "Basically they are looking at how Malaysia can invest and add value to their products," he said, adding that the investment opportunities available were in manufacturing, plantation, oil and gas and services sector. On top of that, Myanmar, which has been described as the "flavour of the year", had strong resources with its people being industrious, hardworking and willing to work hard. -- BERNAMA