M'SIA WOOS US$7.14 BILLION FDI IN 1H OF 2011, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has wooed RM21.3 billion
(US$7.14 billion) in foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the first half of this
year, a testament that investors are increasingly looking at advantages offered
here, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Thursday.

"This (FDI) represents a 76 per cent surge in FDI (inflow) compared to
RM12.1 billion (US$4.05 billion) achieved in the same period last year," he said
at the seventh update of the Economic Transformation Programme here Thursday.

The World Economic Forum, in the recent global competitiveness report, also
stated that Malaysia had made significant progress in economic performance.

Among the 142 countries surveyed, Malaysia was ranked 21st this year as
compared to 26th last year. The country also came in second among Asean nations
and was placed sixth among Asia Pacific countries.

Malaysia has surpassed five countries, namely, the United Arab Emirates, New
Zealand, South Korea, Luxembourg and Israel.

Najib said the significant increase in FDIs and increasingly positive
investor sentiments on Malaysia's economic performance bodes well for the
country.

Malaysia has progressed, particularly in institutions and macro-economy,
moving up 12 notches to 30th spot, added Najib, who is also Finance Minister.

-- BERNAMA