M'SIAN MINISTER TO SPEAK ON MALAYSIA'S ATTRACTIVENESS AS INVESTMENT DESTINATION AT WIEF

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- The Minister of International Trade and
Industry Mustapa Mohamed will speak on the attractiveness of Malaysia
as an investment destination at the seventh World Islamic Economic Forum
(WIEF)on June 8, in Astana, Kazakhstan.

A statement issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
(MITI) here Monday said Mustapa would also focus on recent government
initiatives, including the New Economic Model (NEM) and Economic Transformation
Programme (ETP), at the forum.

Heads of state and Ministers are among those attending the WIEF.

A total of 11 local companies will participate in the forum, which
illustrates Malaysia's strong desire to increase trade and economic ties as well
as cooperation with the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member
states.

Malaysia's total trade with OIC countries rose to US$12.2 billion from
January-March 2011, compared with the US$8.1 billion recorded in the same period
last year.

Among the major trade items were palm oil, petroleum products,
telecommunication equipment and electrical machines.

Total investments by OIC countries in Malaysia amounted to US$4.8
billion from 1980-2010 with Indonesia, Iran, United Arab
Emirates, Pakistan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia as major investors.