MALAYSIA IN RIGHT DIRECTION, SAYS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), June 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is heading in the right
direction and will succeed in mitigating the effects of the current global
economic crisis, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Tuesday.

Touching on the pro-active measures taken by the government to counter the
economic downturn, he also expressed confidence that the country will succeed
with the full cooperation of all Malaysians.

Heads of Mission and representatives of the government abroad need to be in
the forefront in helping the government to turn the current economic challenges
into opportunities and move towards greater economic success in the future, he
said.

The deputy premier said this during a luncheon talk at the 7th Heads of
Mission Conference at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here.

Besides investments and trade, Malaysia should also further tap the vibrant
services sector to offset the potential weaknesses in some of the
export-oriented manufacturing industries, he said.

"We should look into the services sector such as tourism, education,
transportation, ICT, finance and banking to generate income."

More tourists should also be encouraged to come to Malaysia, while the
country is being made the hub for Islamic banking and finance as well as
education.

He also called on the country's diplomats to look at ways and means of
facilitating greater trade and investment links for the country.

"We need to diversify our investment linkages and concentrate on
value-added sectors such as services sector. There are many sources out there to
be tapped. Heads of Mission can held us identify them," he said.
-- BERNAMA