Perak Keen To Have Brazilian Consulate

IPOH (Perak, Malaysia), March 2 (Bernama) -- The state government is keen to have a Brazilian consulate set up in the state as part of the effort to promote ties between Malaysia and the Latin American country, particularly in terms of investment, Chief Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said. "Brazil is the largest investor in Perak through the iron ore project by Vale SA International," he told reporters after declaring open an Al Rajhi Bank branch here. Earlier he received a courtesy visit by Brazilian Ambassador to Malaysia Sergio de Souza Fontes Arruda. The meeting which lasted about an hour and attended by state executive councillors was a farewell call by de Souza Fontes Arruda, who is ending his tour of duty in Malaysia. Dr Zambry also said that the state government and the Northern Corridor Implementing Agency (NCIA) planned to develop Pengkalan Hulu and Gerik as an ecotourism destination. The plan comes under the Northern Corridor Economic Region which has spelled out the details of economic development in the northern part of the state. "We find that the place has a huge potential as it has many undeveloped areas," he said, adding that the state government and NCIA had also planned to expand industrial and technological parks in the state. "The federal government has in principle agreed to look into ways to expand further the Kamunting industrial area and we hope that this will help spur foreign investment in Perak," he said. Perak is located at the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. -- BERNAMA