London's mayor to head business delegation to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Lord Mayor of London, Michael Bear,
will head a business delegation to Malaysia from March 14 to 16, to
promote the city's expertise in various sectors.

A statement issued by the British High Commission here Friday quoted Bear
saying that it was essential for UK businesses to continue to nurture close
relations with Asian markets where they already have well-established trading
and investment links.

Bear, who is the ambassador for United Kingdom-based financial and
professional services, said London had a wealth of expertise to offer its Asian
partners including Malaysia in the areas of infrastructure development, public
private partnerships, Islamic finance, insurance, asset management and carbon
markets.

"Promoting the city and the United Kingdom, and reaffirming the willingness
to engage with and support the development of Asian markets will be firmly on
our agenda during the visit," he said.

On Kuala Lumpur, he said the city has already established itself as a
leading centre for Islamic finance in Asia, but to consolidate the position,
infrastructure development will be a crucial factor.

During the visit, Bear will meet the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia
(Malaysia's central bank), Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz as well as various ministers. He
will also make a keynote speech at the Public-Private Partnerships In Emerging
Markets Conference to be held in the city.