NEW BOOST FOR LOOK EAST POLICY

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is looking to reinvigorate the Look
East Policy to attain higher income and enhance ties with countries in the
region.

Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Mohamed Radzi Abdul Rahman said Monday the
move had the support of several countries, including South Korea, which had
provided financial and technical assistance in the training of Malaysian
students.

Radzi believes that the scope for Malaysian enginneering students in South Korea
should be expanded to include nuclear science robotics and the like.

In his keynote address at the Malaysia-Korea 50th Anniversary Scholars Colloqium
here, Radzi spoke highly of the post graduate courses in South Korea, which he
said was a leader in many areas of research.

Since the launch of the Look East Policy in 1980s, 887 Malaysians have trained
as engineers in South Korea, he said.

Radzi noted that the policy had facilitated the involvement of Korean companies
in Malaysia's infrastructure projects such as the Penang Bridge.

He also said that South Korean investment in Malaysia has consistently been
among the top ten foreign investments.

Trade between the two countries from January to May 2010 was US6.6 billion, a 46
per cent increase over the corresponding period of last year.
-- BERNAMA