MALAYSIA EXPECTS RM5 BLN MORE IN FDIs FROM EUROPE THIS YEAR

KULIM, May 7 (Bernama) -- Some 250 investors from the three of the biggest
cities in Europe are planning on investing RM5 billion (US$1.4 billion) in
several sectors of the country in the near future.

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Mustapa Mohamed, said
investors from Frankfurt, Milan and London had indicated their wish to invest in
Malaysia during a meeting with the Malaysian trade delegation led by him last
week.

Speaking to reporters following a briefing on the progress of Kulim Hitech
Park (KHTP), here, Thursday, Mustapa said the investors from Frankfurt
were looking at an investment of RM2.2 billion (US$622 million) in the
manufacturing and chemical sectors while investors from Milan planned to invest
RM1.77 billion (US$500 million) in the engineering sector. Investors from London
meanwhile are planning to invest RM1.1 billion (US$310 million) in the services
sector.

Mustapa also disclosed that in June several trade missions were being lined
up to attract investors from China, Korea and Japan, while a trade delegation
will be also visiting Australia in August.

He also hoped these trade delegations overseas will be able to bring in more
investors to the country and achieve a higher investment amount than the RM62.8
billion (US$17.7 billion) registered last year.

On the Kulim Hitech Park meanwhile, he said its progress was commendable
having become a premier industrial zone in the country and attracting 21 foreign
investors as well as local investors.

He said there were plans to get more investors particularly foreign
investors to invest in the park as it offered the best facilities for various
sectors.