MALAYSIAN KING WANTS PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENHANCE TRADE WITH QATAR

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- King Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin proposed that the Malaysian private sector enhance business cooperation with their Qatari counterparts so as to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.

The King said trade relations between Malaysia and Qatar had been smooth and
on the increase over the past number of years, and hoped that it would improve
further.

"To achieve this, I wish to encourage the private sector of both countries
to strengthen cooperation to find more business opportunities and to increase
trade and investment," Tuanku Mizan said at a royal banquet in honour of the
visiting Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al-Thani and his consort, Sheikha
Mozah Nasser Al Missned, at National Palace, here, Tuesday night.

Also present were Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife
Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his
wife Noorainee Abdul Rahman.


Tuanku Mizan said the visit to Malaysia by the Qatar delegation mirrored the
existing good relations between the two countries and would also strengthen it.

The King also expressed happiness that Malaysia and Qatar always shared
the
same views on various international issues, especially on the principle of
placing importance on the negotiation process in resolving any conflict
peacefully.

"I am proud to see that both countries always work closely through various
international organisations in efforts to create a stable, fair and peaceful
world," he said.

Tuanku Mizan hoped that the close cooperation and cordial relations between
Malaysia and Qatar would be maintained.

This is the first state visit to Malaysia by Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al-Thani.

He had been to Malaysia in October 2003 to attend the 10th OIC (Organisation
of the Islamic Conference) Summit in Putrajaya.

-- BERNAMA