WIEF A Platform To Showcase Islamic World's Success Story, Says PM Najib

JAKARTA, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The Islamic world should identify its strength and turn it into a springboard to extend a wider global outreach, Najib Razak said. The prime minister said hence, the ongoing 12th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) is a good start for the Muslim participating countries to capitalise on as a platform to leverage their respective networking. He was speaking to Malaysian journalists at the end of his three-day working visit for the 11th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation and the 12th WIEF here Wednesday. "I have told the participants at this forum that we must identify the strength of the Muslim (participating) countries that may be pondered by other Muslim countries," he said. Najib said WIEF is a forum that has achieved many successes. "It is a platform that can highlight the successes of Muslim countries, and Malaysia is no exception as it is already known as the leader in Islamic banking," Najib, who is also finance minister, said. The prime minister cited the success of Malaysian companies such as Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, which manages the Sabiha Gokcen Istanbul International Airport. He also mentioned three other large Malaysian firms -- Sime Darby Bhd, I&P Group Sdn Bhd and SP Setia (Indonesia) Sdn Bhd, which collaborated with PT Hanson International Tbk to develop 40,000 units of affordable houses in Indonesia. Meanwhile, commenting on the bilateral discussions with leaders of several countries in conjunction with the WIEF, the prime minister said all the leaders expressed their wish to continue to advance bilateral investment and cooperation with Malaysia. The prime minister also received Emomali Rahmon (President of Tajikistan Republic); Prof Alpha Conde (President of Guinea Republic); Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe (Prime Minister of Sri Lanka); Dr Jawad Al Anani (Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan); and Sheikh Ahmed Jassin Al Thani (Qatar Economics and Trade Minister). In his meetings with Emomalii, Alpha Conde and Dr Jawad, the prime minister said the three leaders informed him of the investment opportunities in their countries and hoped to attract more Malaysian investors. "Guinea wants us to explore their mineral resources. Sri Lanka wants Malaysia to increase trade and set up a Sri Lanka-Malaysia Trade Council. Jordan wants more interaction and economic cooperation," Najib said. Sheikh Ahmed Jassin, on the other hand, wanted the discussion on the guarantee agreement which was still in the negotiation stage to be expedited. "According to Sheikh Ahmed, if enforced immediately, more investment opportunities could be done," Najib said. In a meeting with the Qatar leader, Najib also spoke on the opportunities to participate in the infrastructure development related to the stadium construction for the World Cup 2022. "I asked him if Malaysian companies could be invited to participate in the international tender process to build the stadium," he said. At the same time, the prime minister said Qatar also asked if Malaysia could support its candidate for the post of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. -- BERNAMA