AGFUND SEEKS PARTICIPATION OF M'SIAN NGOS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES FOR AGFUND PRIZE 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- The Arab Gulf Programme for Development
(AGFUND) is urging Malaysian non-government organisations (NGOs) and government
agencies, to submit their ongoing development projects, to be entitled for the
AGFUND International Prize 2011.

The AGFUND, which currently has an excess of US$500 million, is a
non-profit regional development organisation that supports human development efforts
including combating poverty, the advancement of education and improving health
standards.

AGFUND Executive Director Nasser Al-Kahtani said Malaysia is seen as an example
of a Muslim country which has a proper education system and human development
projects.

"Therefore, the participation of Malaysian NGOs and government agencies can be
an example for other countries, with their projects being replicated and used
there" he said.

"Since its establishment and until 2010, the AGFUND has contributed to
supporting and financing 1,264 projects worth US$250 million in 132 countries in
Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe," Nasser Al-Kahtani told
reporters after a briefing on the AGFUND here Monday.

"We want more success stories from Malaysia so that we can replicate these to
help poor and underprivileged people in other countries," he explained.

He also said that the deadline for submission of projects is May 2011.

The theme for 2011 will be disclosed after a meeting of the prize committee
tomorrow as well as the announcement of winners for the 2010 prize.

For the 2010 prize, 28 projects from 25 countries were nominated. There was no
participation from Malaysia.

The AGFUND International prize carries a financial award of US$500,000 for four
categories.

The first is for categories open to projects that are funded, designed and
implemented by UN agencies or international and regional NGOs with prize money
of US$200,000 while the second covers those that are funded, designed and
implemented by national NGOs (US$150,000).

The third category is open to projects that are funded, designed and implemented
by government ministries and public agencies (US$100,000)while the fourth
relates to those that are funded, designed and implemented by individuals.
-- BERNAMA