MIDA EYES MORE OFFICES IN GULF REGION

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, July 28 (Bernama) -- Recognising the importance of the Gulf region in
terms of bringing investments to Malaysia, the Malaysian Industrial Development
Authority (MIDA) is looking at the possibility of setting up more offices in the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area following the opening of MIDA Dubai office
recently.

MIDA director-general Jalilah Baba said the agency was eyeing Qatar and
Bahrain as well Kuwait.

"In fact all the GCC countries have invited us to open an office," she told
Bernama in a recent interview here.

"Next we're watching Qatar and Bahrain, and I think after that Kuwait. So
these are our targets for the future in terms of new offices. The rest may come
later," she said.

MIDA is the government's principal agency for the promotion of manufacturing
and services sectors in Malaysia.

As of May 2009, 28 manufacturing projects from the GCC countries were
approved, with a total investment of US$1.215 billion.

On July 20, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that a sovereign wealth
fund wholly-owned by the government of Abu Dhabi was set to make a US$1 billion
investment in Malaysia in sectors such as energy, real estate and hospitality.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and
Saudi Arabia.

Jalilah said MIDA Dubai would also facilitate Malaysian investments in this
region which, according to her, was developing very well.

"Malaysian companies do have products and services that can serve the area
that we're targeting. And Malaysian firms have been winning a lot of contracts
here," she said.

MIDA Dubai office is located on the 22nd floor, Tower A, Business Central
Tower in Dubai Media City. It can be reached at +971-4-4343696/697.
-- BERNAMA