ISKANDAR MALAYSIA POISED TO BECOME MODEL FOR AFRICAN COUNTRIES

From Newmond Tibin

MUNYONYO (Uganda), July 27 (Bernama) -- Iskandar Malaysia, which is the main
southern development corridor in Johor, is poised to become a model for
implementation of development projects in African countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia would share its
experience and success in the implementation of the Iskandar Malaysia project
with the participants of the Global Smart Partnership Dialogue which started
here Sunday.

"I will give an introduction of this project (during the intervention
session) and I hope it will generate interest among smart partners to look on
how this sort of development could have some impact on investment in terms of
drawing experience of how we plan development in the area," he told Malaysian
journalists covering the meeting.

Muhyiddin was among heads of government and dialogue partners in this year's
meeting, themed "Towards a Smarter Globe: The Smart Partnership Way For
Realising Socio-economic Transformation Through Regional Integration."

He said former prime minister Dr Mahahir Mohamad would also highlight
the success of the Putrajaya development in the dialogue.


"He (Dr Mahathir) is the right person not only because he is a fellow but he
is the one who started the whole thing. Putrajaya today is the end result of the
various things that we have done to make it a reality," he said.

On the dialogue, Muhyiddin said apart from sharing views and experiences, it
was a good avenue to interact and connect among members of the smart partners.

He hoped that the challenges of the global financial crisis would be tackled
using the expertise and experience gained in the smart partnership movement.

On why the Malaysian investment in Uganda is still small despite being a
member of the smart partnership movement, Muhyiddin said the level of success
should not be looked at tangibly.

"This is an ongoing process where we share our views and experiences and
this will enable them to develop their respective countries, " he said.

In this respect, Muhyiddin said Malaysian businesses should explore
opportunities in Uganda as it was a gateway to the wider regional market.

He said since the formation of the smart partnership, the African countries
had looked at Malaysia with high regard, particularly in the transformation of
Malaysia's economy.

"They look at Malaysia as a model to map out development programmes and we
should look at it as a long-term benefit," he added.

-- BERNAMA