MALAYSIAN MINISTER TO LEAD TRADE & INVESTMENT MISSION TO SOUTH KOREA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- In conjunction with Malaysia's 50th year
of bilateral diplomatic relations with South Korea, International Trade and
Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed will lead a six-day trade and
investment mission to Seoul and Busan beginning July 17.

The minister would be accompanied by government officials, state government
representatives and a business delegation, said a MITI statement Thursday.

The mission, besides strengthening economic relations between
Malaysia and South Korea, would also enhance bilateral investments by updating
Korean investors in Seoul and Busan on investment prospects and opportunities in
Malaysia and the implementation of the New Economic Model.

MITI said delegation members would visit several Korean manufacturing
facilities, reseach and development centres, meet business associations and
Korean investors, conduct business seminars on investment opportunities in
Malaysia, conduct a roundtable meeting with South Korean captains of industries
and hold business meetings.

Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and South Korea were established on
Feb 23, 1960.

The last five decades have seen bilateral trade, investment, socio-cultural
and education ties growing from strength to strength.

South Korea continues to be one of Malaysia's main source of foreign direct
investment since 1980.

To date, a total of 287 projects have been implemented with a total
investment of RM7.7 billion (US$1=RM3.2).

Between January and April 2010, two projects, involving an investment of
RM6.7 million were approved.

South Korean projects in Malaysia were concentrated in electronic and
electrical products, non-metallic mineral products, basic metal products,
fabricated metal products and, chemicals and chemical products.

-- BERNAMA