M'SIA MUST BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN PROMOTING ITSELF AS A CONDUCIVE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia should be more aggressive
in telling the world that it is a conducive place to do business based on its
excellent track record, says former Minister of International Trade and Industry
(MITI),Rafidah Aziz.

"We should have no problem telling the world that we have the best place to
do business," she said.

Well known for being aggressive in promoting the country during her tenure
at MITI, she said Malaysia was not just well known in the region but globally,
for creating a conducive business environment.

Rafidah was speaking to reporters after presenting the HSBC-National
Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia Skills Training Certificate
(NAWEM) here today.

She said the current Government Transformation Program (GTP) and Economic
Transformation Programme (ETP) had created a much better business environment.

"The government is moving towards creating an environment that allows
transparent and fair competition in the market, for business to flourish."

"The private sector must be strong on their own and the government is always
there to provide support," she added.

Rafidah, who is also the Patron of NAWEM, said women should take advantage
of the many business opportunities to improve their lives and compete in an
ever changing economy.

"They should equip themselves with knowledge and the necessary skills and
grab opportunities to raise the living standards of their households," she said.

At the event, HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd Head of Corporate Communications
and Corporate Sustainability, Elizabeth Wee, handed a grant cheque of RM150,000
(US$50,000) to NAWEM to support its capacity and capability building programme.

The programme helps women with the requisite skills and mindset while adding
business mentoring to start a small scale or home-based business.