ADB WANTS TO SHARE MALAYSIA'S EXPERIENCE

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

NUSA DUA (Bali), May 4 (Bernama) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is keen
to share Malaysia's experience and expertise in helping member countries in
generating economic growth and well being of the people, Second Finance Minister
Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said.

He said this was expressed by the President of the ADB Haruhiko Kuroda
during a meeting with him yesterday on the sidelines of the ongoing 42nd Annual
Meeting of the Board of Governors of the ADB here.

"We've had a lengthy discussion on enhancing further cooperation between ADB
and the Government of Malaysia, and also the private sector in Malaysia," Husni
told BERNAMA here, Sunday.

He said Malaysia would continue to support ADB for the benefit and
prosperity of the Asia and the Pacific Region.

Malaysia has joined other ADB member countries in supporting the Fifth
General Capital Increase (GCI V) to meet the capital requirements of ADB in
assisting countries affected by the global economic crisis.

Husni, leading the Malaysian delegation to the meeting and also to the
ASEAN+3, welcomed ADB's proposal, stating that although Malaysia has been
relatively successful in developing the nation, it still needs to learn from
other countries.

Going forward, he said Malaysia was transforming it's economy from mixed
labor and capital intensive to value added economy, and is introducing further
economic liberalisation.

"Malaysia also wishes to strengthen it's bilateral and multilateral
cooperation, which is in line with our development philosophy of mutual
benefit," Husni said.

He said the President of ADB also stated his desire to strengthen the
relationship with the private sector in Malaysia through financing, which was
very much welcomed as Malaysia saw a real need for ADB to enhance it's support
for private sector activities.

"This is especially so in areas that will directly help to generate economic
growth, create employment, to increase income earning opportunities and to
encourage existing, as well as new entrepreneurs."

"Continuous support to the
private sector is also crucial in contributing towards economic
liberalization," he said.

In that respect, Husni hoped that more Malaysian companies would be given
opportunity to implement projects financed by ADB.

In 2008, ADB awarded contracts worth US$200 million to Malaysian companies
in the form of goods, related services and civil works as well as consulting
services as compared to year 2007, where Malaysian companies managed to get
contracts worth US$111 million.

Husni said Malaysia has also agreed to ADB's proposal to
organise a Business Opportunity Seminar in Malaysia in 2009 aimed at informing
the business community in Malaysia of ADB-financed projects.

Malaysia has appointed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to
be the co-organiser of the seminar, the purpose of which was to familiarise
prospective supplier, manufacturers and contractors with ADB procedures for
procurement of goods and works, and prospective consultants with ADB procedures
for recruitment of consultants.

The 42nd Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors, held here from May
2-5 involved around 3,500 representatives of 67 countries, including government
leaders, finance ministers as well as representative from the private sector,
the media and non- governmental organisations.

-- BERNAMA