MSC MALAYSIA ATTRACTS NEW INVESTMENTS FROM YEAR-TO-DATE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia
has attracted RM2 billion (US$646.516 million) in new investments between
January and August, according to Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).

Domestic investments accounted for about 15 per cent of the amount while the
bulk came from foreign investors, said Chief Executive Officer Badlisham
Ghazali.

"Investments for this year would be lower as last year was a bumpy year due to
the global financial crisis. Last year, MSC Malaysia attracted more than RM3
billion (US$970.026 million) worth of investments," Badlisham told reporters
here Wednesday after a media briefing on MSC Malaysia Summit 2010.

On Budget 2011, to be tabled on Oct 15, he said MDeC was proposing funding to
further nurture MSC Malaysia status companies to move them up their value chain
and also to re-invest in new areas.

He added that MDeC would embark on unleashing the capabilities of these
companies under phase three of an ongoing exercise.

Badlisham said MDeC was also seeking funding under the budget to enable it to
start a product assessment programme for MSC Malaysia status companies.

It was currently working with an international assessor to draw up the framework
for the programme.

On the MSC Malaysia Summit 2010, Badlisham said the summit would showcase and
drive greater collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as
increase profitability and industry growth.

The five-day summit, beginning Oct 11, will incorporate a series of
conferences and innovation-led showcases of the services and solutions
developed under MSC Malaysia.

Highlights of the summit will include the Intellectual Property Monetisation
Forum and MSC Malaysia Innotech which will provide the platform for companies to
seek funds from venture capitalists like Draper Fisher, IC Group and Nesky
Capital.

The summit will consist of eight key events focusing on the implementation and
innovation of information and communication technologies in healthcare,
e-government, education and creative content generation.

It is expected to attract up to 2,500 delegates comprising of international,
trade and government participants.
-- BERNAMA