BOOST INVESTMENT IN MALAYSIA, MUSTAPA URGES THAI FIRMS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Minister of International Trade and
Industry Mustapa Mohamed, has invited Thai companies to invest more
in Malaysia.

He said the companies could leverage on Malaysia's conducive investment
environment through establishing joint ventures with local companies.

"The New Economic Model (NEM) will present exciting opportunities for
business collaborations," he said in the presentation on "Malaysia: Update" at
the Seminar on Malaysia-Thailand Trade and Investment Cooperation here Monday.

The first stage of the NEM will be announced Tuesday by Prime Minister
Najib Tun Razak, while the second stage will be announced at the
tabling of the 10th Malaysia Plan.

NEM is part of the government's objective to transform Malaysia into a
high-income economy and to spur development.

"The government is committed to ensuring that Malaysia remains a safe,
progressive and business-friendly country," he said.

Mustapa said approved investments by Thailand in Malaysia were worth US$355
million (US$1=RM3.27) in the manufacturing sector from 1980 to 2009.

Mustapa said bilateral trade rose to US$1.57 billion in January this year
from US$1.04 billion in the same month last year.

-- BERNAMA