MALAYSIA'S PRIVATE SECTOR TO SIGN SLEW OF MoUs WITH INDIA

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to sign more than 13
memoranda of understanding (MoU) during Prime Minister Najib Tun
Razak's five-day visit to India from Tuesday.

Najib said most of the MoUs would be from the private sector.

"The latest count is 13 and we are still counting," he said in an
interview with Indian journalists at his office recently.

The prime minister said both countries would also trade in traditional
sectors and Malaysia would like India to continue buying palm oil from the
country.

He said several bilateral discussions would be held during his trip,
including on road construction, education, information and communication
technology, oil and gas exploration, pharmaceuticals, tourism and green
technologies.


He said bilateral trade between the two countries had reached US$10 billion
(RM33 billion) and hoped it would increase in the future.

Najib described his visit to India as "substantive and not purely
ceremonial".

"I will also extend an invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
to come to Malaysia. It will enhance Malaysia's political and economic
ties with India," he said.

To a question on defence cooperation, Najib said India had provided some
useful help over the Sukhoi aircraft.

"But we have not bought anything major. Our personnel were sent to India for
pilot training."

On whether Malaysia would collaborate with India in nuclear technology
for
source of energy, Najib said: "We have not made any decision yet as nuclear
energy will the last option for the country."

Najib will be accompanied by his wife Rosmah Mansor and a
delegation including ministers, and chief ministers as well as
representatives of the business sector.

During his visit, Najib will meet Manmohan Singh on Jan 20 and is scheduled
to call on President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

Najib will also attend a roundtable meeting with selected Indian
industrialists and launch a Malaysian property exhibition.

The prime minister will also meet the Malaysian community in Chennai,
including businessmen and students.

-- BERNAMA