KING: AUSTRIAN COMPANIES SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MALAYSIA'S VAST ECONOMIC POTENTIAL.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin said
Monday night that more Austrian companies should take advantage of Malaysia's
vast economic potential.

"The country has embarked on an economic transformation programme and offer a
number of regional development corridors for new investments," and the
participation of Austrian companies is most welcomed, said Tuanku Mizan in a
speech at the state banquet at Istana Negara (National Palace) in honour of
Austrian President Dr Heinz Fischer, who is on a three-day visit to this
country.

Tuanku Mizan said that Malaysia and Austria should also collaborate in such
sectors as education, human resources development, biotechnology, information
and communication technology, green technology, banking, health services and
tourism.

He noted that that Malaysia and Austria will celebrate 50 years of
diplomatic relations on Aug 6, 2012.

Tuanku Mizan said: "Your Excellency's visit sends a very strong and clear signal
of the importance Austria attaches to its relations with Malaysia and it is
highly appreciated by the people of Malaysia."

Tuanku Mizan said Malaysia and Austria have cooperated closely through the
United Nations and other international bodies and in the Asean-EU and
Asia-Europe framework.

Fischer in his speech said Malaysia's New Economic Model and the
10th Malaysia Plan matched the Austrian specialty in the so called "Green Economy",
from ecological and sustainable farming to waste management and renewable energy
systems.

"Moreover, our country is among the leading nations in the world regarding
Quality Health Care," he said.

"This opens up a lot of possibilities for cooperation and exchange," he said.

Fischer also said Austria appreciated the great efforts Malaysia puts into the
peaceful living together of its ethnic and religious groups.

"Malaysia, with its composition of three main ethnic groups and many religions,
has a unique situation and can definitely be an outstanding role-model for
integration and peaceful living together," he said.

He said that Austria, which is co-sponsoring initiatives like the Alliance of
Civilisations, looks forward to strengthening relations with Malaysia in this
area of dialogue.

This is the first ever state visit by an Austrian president to Malaysia. It is
to reciprocate the first state visit of a Malaysian King to Austria. That was
the visit of then Malaysian King Sultan Azlan Shah and his consort Tuanku Bainun
in 1992.
-- BERNAMA