ID :
101278
Wed, 01/20/2010 - 09:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/101278
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIA POSITIVE ON ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENTS WITH UAE
By Muin Abdul Majid
ABU DHABI, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak said he believed
that his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had paved the way for greater opportunities for Malaysian companies and professionals to take part in the development of this Gulf nation.
The Malaysian prime minister brushed aside tales of doom and gloom
surrounding places like Dubai weaved by its detractors.
Speaking to the Malaysian media Tuesday before departing for India at the
end his four-day visit to UAE, Najib reckoned that companies operating in
resource-rich Abu Dhabi would be able to sustain their operations.
He said neighbouring Dubai may have hit a rough patch, particularly in real
estate amid the global financial downturn, "but given time I'm confident that
they can recover".
Najib said during an audience with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
here Tuesday, he conveyed his gratitude to the vice-president and prime minister
of UAE and ruler of Dubai for the opportunities given to Malaysian companies all
this while.
He said there may be one or two problem areas involving Malaysian companies
in UAE that would need to be addressed, but "given the existing goodwill
(between the two countries), I'm confident that we can overcome some of them".
His visit was at the invitation of General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed
Forces of UAE.
The prime minister also had an audience with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, who is Ruler's Representative in the Western Region on the final day of
his visit here.
Najib said Sheikh Mohammad, chairman of the Mubadala Development Company,
the main investment vehicle for the government of Abu Dhabi, had asked the
company to identify new fields for investment in Malaysia.
"They're keen on the hospitality sector, including the possibility of
building hotels in Malaysia," he said.
Najib's visit was also marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement
between Mubadala and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to explore clean
technology projects and investments, including the possibility of building
Malaysia's first carbon-neutral city.
Commenting on this, Najib said: "They've earmarked an initial fund of US$100
million to carry out projects, focusing on efforts to create a green and
carbon-free city in Malaysia like the one planned near Abu Dhabi called Masdar
City."
He said the Malaysian version would be on a modest scale.
The prime minister also said that the crown prince would make an official
visit to Malaysia this year.
On his talks with Sheikh Hamdan, Najib said the prince hinted that Malaysian
companies may be involved in development projects in the Western Region,
including highway construction and township developments.
"He'd also like to visit Malaysia to continue discussions on possible
avenues of cooperation and projects involving Malaysian companies," he said.
Najib said he was satisfied with his visit to the UAE which provided clear
indications that the participation of Malaysian companies and professionals in
development activities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and possibly the Western Region were
welcomed.
"I believe that the close relations at the highest level between our two
countries will open up more opportunities for Malaysian firms and
professionals," he said.
The prime minister observed that the 1Malaysia spirit was reflected in the
presence of Malaysians of all races in development activities in the UAE.
"Please be mindful of the emphasis on quality and delivery here. These two
aspects should be given due attention if we're to maintain our reputation in
this country," Najib said.
The prime minister commended Malaysian firms which had won projects
against
other international bidders.
He mentioned that a company from Malaysia was bidding for a contract to
maintain Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building inaugurated recently in
Dubai.
"If they're successful in their bid, it would be a significant achievement,"
he said, adding that the firm's experience in maintaining the Petronas Twin
Towers in Kuala Lumpur should work in its favour.
Najib also witnessed the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding
(MoU) to create a global services company called Integra International,
specialising in developing, designing, building and managing solutions and
services across the asset management lifecycle.
The MoU was between Kuala Lumpur-based Kemuncak Facilities Management Sdn
Bhd, Allen & Shariff Corporation based in Washington, and Consortio
International based in Dubai.
-- BERNAMA
ABU DHABI, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak said he believed
that his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had paved the way for greater opportunities for Malaysian companies and professionals to take part in the development of this Gulf nation.
The Malaysian prime minister brushed aside tales of doom and gloom
surrounding places like Dubai weaved by its detractors.
Speaking to the Malaysian media Tuesday before departing for India at the
end his four-day visit to UAE, Najib reckoned that companies operating in
resource-rich Abu Dhabi would be able to sustain their operations.
He said neighbouring Dubai may have hit a rough patch, particularly in real
estate amid the global financial downturn, "but given time I'm confident that
they can recover".
Najib said during an audience with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
here Tuesday, he conveyed his gratitude to the vice-president and prime minister
of UAE and ruler of Dubai for the opportunities given to Malaysian companies all
this while.
He said there may be one or two problem areas involving Malaysian companies
in UAE that would need to be addressed, but "given the existing goodwill
(between the two countries), I'm confident that we can overcome some of them".
His visit was at the invitation of General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed
Forces of UAE.
The prime minister also had an audience with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, who is Ruler's Representative in the Western Region on the final day of
his visit here.
Najib said Sheikh Mohammad, chairman of the Mubadala Development Company,
the main investment vehicle for the government of Abu Dhabi, had asked the
company to identify new fields for investment in Malaysia.
"They're keen on the hospitality sector, including the possibility of
building hotels in Malaysia," he said.
Najib's visit was also marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement
between Mubadala and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) to explore clean
technology projects and investments, including the possibility of building
Malaysia's first carbon-neutral city.
Commenting on this, Najib said: "They've earmarked an initial fund of US$100
million to carry out projects, focusing on efforts to create a green and
carbon-free city in Malaysia like the one planned near Abu Dhabi called Masdar
City."
He said the Malaysian version would be on a modest scale.
The prime minister also said that the crown prince would make an official
visit to Malaysia this year.
On his talks with Sheikh Hamdan, Najib said the prince hinted that Malaysian
companies may be involved in development projects in the Western Region,
including highway construction and township developments.
"He'd also like to visit Malaysia to continue discussions on possible
avenues of cooperation and projects involving Malaysian companies," he said.
Najib said he was satisfied with his visit to the UAE which provided clear
indications that the participation of Malaysian companies and professionals in
development activities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and possibly the Western Region were
welcomed.
"I believe that the close relations at the highest level between our two
countries will open up more opportunities for Malaysian firms and
professionals," he said.
The prime minister observed that the 1Malaysia spirit was reflected in the
presence of Malaysians of all races in development activities in the UAE.
"Please be mindful of the emphasis on quality and delivery here. These two
aspects should be given due attention if we're to maintain our reputation in
this country," Najib said.
The prime minister commended Malaysian firms which had won projects
against
other international bidders.
He mentioned that a company from Malaysia was bidding for a contract to
maintain Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building inaugurated recently in
Dubai.
"If they're successful in their bid, it would be a significant achievement,"
he said, adding that the firm's experience in maintaining the Petronas Twin
Towers in Kuala Lumpur should work in its favour.
Najib also witnessed the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding
(MoU) to create a global services company called Integra International,
specialising in developing, designing, building and managing solutions and
services across the asset management lifecycle.
The MoU was between Kuala Lumpur-based Kemuncak Facilities Management Sdn
Bhd, Allen & Shariff Corporation based in Washington, and Consortio
International based in Dubai.
-- BERNAMA
