M'SIAN COMPANIES INVITED TO INVEST IN MOROCCO'S BOOMING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

By Rosyatimah Tukimin

PUTRAJAYA, July 13 (Bernama) -- More Malaysian companies should consider
investing in Morocco's booming construction industry, particularly in its
housing sector, says Malaysian Ambassador to Morocco Othman Samin.

"We have very good investment prospects in this sector led by Kausar
Corporation, a flagship company of the Al-Hidayah Group of Companies, which is
building houses in a new township," he told Bernama.

The Malaysian company is currently undertaking housing construction
in Tamesna, a self-contained new city being developed between Rabat, Temara,
Skhirat and Ain Aouda, about 12km south of Rabat, Morocco's capital city.

The new township aims to relieve Rabat of its growing chaotic urbanisation
and will have access to the Casablanca Highway as well as the opportunity for
better infrastructure planning.

"We are promoting Malaysian expertise globally and since the housing sector
is growing in Morocco, hopefully more Malaysian companies will emulate the
success of the Al-Hidayah group," he said.

Othman, who started his tour of duty as ambassador to Morocco in 2007, said
he hoped to boost Malaysian companies' participation in the host country's
development and expand investment prospects.

"The Al-Hidayah Group, for instance, is now building one hostel project and
a nursing school next, which means they have successfully branched out their
investments," he said.

Othman said the Al-Hidayah Group is also currently in talks with the
host country to bring in KPJ Healthcare Berhad (KPJ), the healthcare arm of
Johor Corporation (JCorp), to manage hospitals in Morocco.

The envoy said another Malaysian company, KPS, currently has an electronic
components production unit in Mohammedia.

"Another area with big potential is trading," he said, adding that:
"Malaysian furniture is very popular here. Thus, Malaysian companies should
seize this opportunity."

Othman said the Malaysian Embassy in Rabat is also helping MARA through
KOMITA, a consortium of agro-based food producers and
entrepreneurs, to bring in products produced by Bumiputera entrepreneurs such
as soya sauce, cookies and biscuits.

On bilateral trade between Malaysia and Morocco, the envoy said total
trade between the two countries "is still small" with a trade balance in favour
of Malaysia.

Based on figures available, total trade between Morocco and
Malaysia in 2008 reached nearly RM234.2 million (US$65 million), with total
Malaysian exports touching RM182.2 million (US$50.6 million).

Malaysia's main exports are electrical and electronics products while its
imports are food products and manufactured goods.

Othman said despite the limited resources, the Malaysian Embassy
would find ways to implement the added responsibilities entrusted upon
them such as enhancing cooperation in education and promoting tourism.


"Though tourism promotion is the duty of the Tourism Malaysia office in
Jeddah, I like to promote tourism because it is an easier way to showcase the
Malaysia's image and we can see results quickly," he said, adding that with the
Malaysian government's plan to bring in more Arab tourists, "we'll do our best
to showcase Malaysia by organising tourism-related programmes."

In line with the government's aspiration to turn Malaysia into an
educational hub, Othman said the Malaysian Embassy would encourage more
Moroccans to study in Malaysia while at the same time ensuring Malaysian
students studying in Morocco stay focused on their education.

On the notion that only Morocco was sponsoring Malaysian students to
study in Morocco, Othman was quick to point out that the Malaysian government
through the MTCP (Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme) has sponsored
Moroccan officials to be trained in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA