"It's Timely To Go Aggresively To Europe And America Now"

By Dalila Abu Bakar KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- It is timely for Malaysia to go to Europe and America now to secure investments from the two regions which are currently hit by financial crisis, Malaysia-Europe Forum (MEF) patron and Board of Trustees member Rafidah Aziz said on Wednesday. “We should make all efforts to go to Europe now to see the companies' potential to come to Malaysia to do business here. “If Europe is trouble for them, they would like to go abroad. Some governments are in trouble now and there are companies which are not in trouble, they might want to come out,” she told a press conference on the MEF-European Ambassadors' Roundtable 2011. Rafidah said Malaysia has the strength and should take advantage of that when going overseas. “Don’t forget, we have competitors. This is the time to be aggressive in Europe and America. I think it is the right time for them to look at Malaysia,” said the former International Trade and Industry Minister. The MEF Roundtable Series on Sustainability will be held in Madrid, Paris and London from Nov 21 to 25. Senior officials from Transport Ministry, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd, Malaysia Green Technology Corporation and Bank Pembangunan Malaysia are expected to participate in these roundtables. These roundtables will see Malaysian and European government representatives, industry professionals and researchers exchanging ideas, discussing challenges in relation to the programmes that Malaysia has planned for and proposed strategies. Opportunities for bilateral cooperation and potential joint-venture projects between Malaysia and Europe will also be explored. These roundtables focusing on urban mobility follow an earlier roundtable held in May in Vienna, which centred on renewable energy. MEF Board of Trustees chairman Dr Munir Majid said the forum was committed to promoting sustainable development issues in which Malaysia has a strategic and direct stake. He said roundtables such as these would ensure Malaysia remained on the radar when it comes to foreign direct investments from Europe, particularly in relation to green technologies. “The MEF provides a platform for a fresh perspective on issues in order to promote innovative ideas and outcomes,” he said. The MEF also continues to actively engage the youth via its MEF Young European Internship Programme which has seen Malaysian government-linked companies and public-listed firms hiring interns from Europe. To date, the MEF has placed interns from Germany, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Kontena Nasional Bhd, Kenny Rogers Roasters, MMC Bhd and Minconsult Sdn Bhd with additional companies like Malayan Banking, Invest KL, Top Glove, Symphony House and Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers also signing up to participate in the 2012 intake. Rafidah said the MEF Young European Internship Programme provided an opportunity for Malaysian companies to hire short-term support staff who are highly qualified and can offer a new perspective vis-à-vis the potential markets in Europe. -- BERNAMA