MALAYSIAN COMPANIES ENCOURAGED TO INVEST IN SENEGAL

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian halal food companies have been encouraged to invest in Senegal to tap the potential markets in Africa, Europe and the United States.

Senegal ambassador to Malaysia, Abdel Kader Pierre Fall, said companies
which operate in halal food products in Senegal can easily export their
products to other African nations, Europe, United Kingdom and the United States.

If a Malaysian company sets up shop in Senegal, it will do very well because
Senegal represents a huge market of 230 million people (comprising a regional
grouping of 15 countries) and the majority of them are Muslims, he told
reporters on the sideline of the Investment Opportunities in Senegal Forum held
here Wednesday.

Apart from halal foods, other potential Malaysian exports include cars,
electronic goods and machinery.

Abdel Kader said the main objective of the one-day forum was to offer a
platform for disseminating information on existing investment potential among
Malaysian companies eager to reinforce their presence in Senegal and Africa.

Senegal, a former French colony, enjoys the reputation of being one of
Africa's most stable countries, both politically and economically.

Islam, practised by about 95 percent of the population, is the predominant
religion in Senegal, whose economy is largely based on exports of fish,
phosphates and peanuts besides tourism and the services sector.

On the forum, Abdel Kader said the participants were provided with relevant
information on investment opportunities in Senegal.

"Our goal is to help them assess and evaluate those investment opportunities
and in the end they will be able to make the best strategic business decision,"
he said.

Senegal offers major investment opportunities in various sectors
ranging from agriculture, tourism, fisheries, infrastructures to mining and home
building.