MIDA TO PROMOTE TRADE TIES BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND SOUTH-SOUTH COUNTRIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Industrial Development
Authority (MIDA) aims to promote trade and investment ties between Malaysia and
the South-south countries.

During a familiarisation programme here for officials from the Investment
Promotion Agencies of the South-south countries, Deputy director general of
MIDA, Datuk Afifuddin Abdul Kadir, said participants would have the
opportunity to share Malaysia's experience in industrial development over the
last four decades.

They would also learn of MIDA's efforts to promote foreign and domestic
investment.

"Since 1994, a total of 661 participants from 82 countries have attended
this programme. This year represents the 16th consecutive year MIDA is
organising this programme," he said during the launch of the event here Friday.

For this year, 26 participants representing 10 countries have been
selected for the programme, including 13 participants from Sri Lanka alone.

There are also participants from Senegal, Vanuatu, Qatar, Kenya, Botswana,
Namibia, Bangladesh, Fiji and Seychelles.

Malaysia's total trade with the South-south countries expanded significantly
from RM505.5 million (US$144.42 million) in 2007 to RM567 million (US$162
million) last year.

For January to June period this year, total trade with South-south countries
amounted to RM203.18 million (US$58.05 million).

Malaysia's exports to the South-south countries during the first six months
amounted to RM112.4 million (US$32.11 million) while imports totalled RM90.8
million (US$25.94 million).

Major exports during the period were electrical and electronic products,
palm oil, chemicals and chemical products, crude petroleum and refined
petroleum products.

Main imports from the South-south countries meanwhile were electrical and
electronic products, crude petroleum, chemicals and chemical products,
machinery, appliances and parts, and refined petroleum products.
-- BERNAMA