Malaysian Diaspora Play Vital Role - Minister Mustapa

From Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid COLOMBO, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian diaspora will continue to be a vital force for economic prosperity and growth of their countries of domicile, said Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed. "Be friendly with the local people and promote Malaysia to them whenever there are opportunities. "Everyone of you has a role to play, if we want to have close ties with foreign countries and make Malaysia a regional hub for investments. We need to work hard to attract them," Mustapa told a networking dinner he hosted for Malaysians here, on Thursday. He said the Malaysian diaspora, especially businessmen, needed to take a step forward and be creative in seizing opportunities wherever they are living. The dinner was part of the trade and investment mission to India and Sri Lanka led by Mustapa from May 1-6. Also present was the Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer II N. Rajendran, Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) Senior Director Strategic Planning Division, Wan Latiff Wan Musa and MIDA Director in Mumbai, Sherulanuar Abd Karim. At a similar networking session with the Malaysian diaspora in India earlier, Mustapa said in the wake of global economic challenges, it was timely for them to set up working groups to review, exchange and promote business growth periodically. "Let's make it a point to hold strategic, working level workshops and brainstorming sessions periodically, to enter and tap India's market potential," he added. More than 50 Malaysians staying in India and Sri Lanka attended the session to share ideas and discuss issues of common interest. --BERNAMA