PM'S VISIT SHOWS WILL TO STRENGTHEN M'SIA-QATAR TIES - AMBASSADOR

From Ahmad Kamil Tahir

DOHA, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's two-day
visit to Qatar from Tuesday will give a strong signal on the determination to
forge closer ties between the two countries.

Malaysian Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob said although
the present relations were close especially in trade and social, such a visit
would enable the leaders of both countries to solve problems that arose through
talks.

He said Abdullah would have an audience with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh
Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin
Jabir Al-Thani before attending a delegation meeting.

Abdullah was also expected to visit several construction projects run by
Malaysian companies, he said.

Muhammad Shahrul said the Malaysia-Qatar bilateral trade had reached almost
RM1billion and several Malaysian companies including Gamuda, WCT Engineering,
Muhibbah Engineering, UEM Group, Eversendai Corporation and IJM were actively
involved in various construction projects here.

He said Qatar was developing rapidly particularly in the construction sector
hence Malaysian companies should find more business opportunities here
especially when the global economic slowdown was more or less affecting
Malaysia.

He said Qatar was among the strongest in terms of its economy with GDP per
capita at US$70,000 and unaffected by the global economic slowdown.

Muhammad Shahrul said that besides the construction sector, Malaysian
companies could also venture into the tourism, education and Islamic banking
industries.

"At the same time, we are encouraging the presence of Qatar investors to
invest in Malaysia and currently, there are companies from Qatar involved in the
Islamic banking and petroleum sectors," he said.
-- BERNAMA