EU BELIEVES MALAYSIA STILL BEST PLACE IN REGION FOR INVESTMENT

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU)
believes that Malaysia is still the best place in Southeast Asia for investment
and trading despite the global economic slowdown.

France's ambassador to Malaysia, Marc Baretty, in stating this, said the
EU's confidence was based on the measures taken by the Malaysian government to
minimise the impact of the slowdown and the country's ability in facing such
crisis.

Baretty said together with Malaysia's good record in sustaining its
economy, EU members remained keen to continue investing and trading in the
country which is also known for its business-friendly policy.

"Malaysia has made well-planned preparations to face the crisis and this
country is still the safest place for investments," he said, adding that for the
first time last February, the EU was the main importer of Malaysian goods,
overtaking the United States.

Baretty was speaking to reporters after he and 18 other ambassadors of EU
member countries paid a visit to the Kelantan, east coast state government at
Kota Darulnaim here Wednesday.

On the visit, Baretty said though economic issues were not discussed, the
EU members were interested in investment and trading opportunities in the state.

"What we need is a special unit for economic planning to be formed and then
we can discuss further on business matters," he said.

-- BERNAMA