'IMPACT OF GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY ON TRADE, INVESTMENT KNOWN IN THREE MONTHS'

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- The impact of global uncertainty
stemming from political situations in the Middle East and North Africa, the
devastating tsunami in Japan and debt and deficit woes in Europe and the US on
Malaysian trade and investment is expected to be known in two to three months.

As of now, Malaysia was still able to withstand it based on the encouraging
trade growth in the first two months of 2011, International Trade and Investment
Minister Mustapa Mohamed said Monday.

"This year will be more challenging than 2010 but it's too early to gauge
the impact.

"We are monitoring the situation. We have yet to make revisions on the trade
and investment figures because so far we feel we can hold on," he told reporters
after the ministry's monthly assembly here.

Malaysia's total trade last year was RM1.2 trillion, and the ministry has
set a growth target of 10 per cent for 2011 with promotional and outreach
programmes being planned.

"I hope what have been planned for the first quarter have been successfully
implemented.

"I really hope the ministry staff and agencies under the ministry will give
their best, and the programmes implemented achieve their objectives and benefit
the people," Mustapa said.

He also said that the construction of the Malaysia External Trade
Development Corporation's exhibition centre would begin in two to three months,
for completion in four years.