MALAYSIA IS UNDER PROMOTED, SAYS FORUM PARTICIPANTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- A dialogue session with participants of the the
Malaysia International Chinese Business Forum has revealed that the country is
still under promoted.

"They believe Malaysia has a lot of potential and resources but it is under
promoted," International Trade and Industry Minister, Mustapa Mohamed said
Thursday.

He said this was among issues discussed and highlighted during the forum
attended by 700 participants, out of which 250 were from Singapore, China, Hong
Kong and Taiwan.

"We spent a good one-hour (deliberating) and there were some good inputs," he
told a press conference after officiating the forum on behalf of Prime Minister
Najib Razak here Thursday.

He said besides praises for what has been done so far, they also highlighted
what more could be done to further promote Malaysia.

Mustapa also said participants had specific queries on some investment proposals
and potentials.

"There is this big company from Taiwan that is involved in the orchid business
which is keen to invest in Malaysia.

"They want land near the airport. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority
(MIDA) will follow up on this," he said.

Another company has expressed interest to expand its tyre production and this
was as a result of discussions held earlier this morning, said Mustapa.

"It is a RM500 million (US$158.604 million) expansion and it is a confirmed
investment," he added.
-- BERNAMA