ID :
78193
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/78193
The shortlink copeid
GLOBALISATION BRINGS MORE AFRICANS TO MALAYSIA
By Nor Faridah Abd Rashid
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- If you had walked down the streets of Kuala Lumpur some 10 years ago, the chances of bumping into an African were quite slim.
But now with the advent of globalisation, Africans are making their way to
Malaysia as businessmen, tourists and students, as they become more familiar
with the country's potential.
According to Senegal's Ambassador to Malaysia Abdel Kader Pierre Fall, with
globalisation, Africans are now more knowledgeable of the new potentials in Asia
and as such more and more are making their way to Asia including Malaysia.
Africans have been coming to Malaysia also for "medical tourism" because it
is cheaper to do so in this country rather than Europe where they used to go
previously, he told Bernama in an interview recently.
Malaysia, he said had the medical tourism advantage "where one could get
more mileage out of one's money," said the ambassador, who is also the vice-dean
of the African Diplomatic Group here.
MORE AFRICANS ARE HEADING TO MALAYSIA
Abdel Kader also expects more and more Africans to visit Malaysia's tourism
spots as they are now more familiar with Malaysia as a tourist destination,
apart from an educational hub.
The ambassador said that besides tourism, Africa has been looking forward to
diversifying partnerships with Malaysia be it in trade, technical cooperation or
even politics.
Describing the ties between Africa and Malaysia as very "promising", he
pointed out that at the recent Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)
organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) here,
almost 30 percent of Senegal's delegation bought "some containers to send back
home."
"Trade with Malaysia is definitely going forward and we see more Africans
coming to Malaysia to buy products and more Malaysians going to Senegal and
other African countries as well for partnerships in trade," the ambassador said.
And when Africa celebrated the 46th anniversary of Africa Day here in May,
he said it was not only a joyous occasion for the continent but also a
celebration of the friendship between Africa and Malaysia.
MAKING MALAYSIANS MORE AWARE OF AFRICA
Besides, most of the African countries are members of the Organisation of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) and even at this level there is a "perfect
relationship" with Malaysia.
Senegal President Abdulaye Wade is the current chairman of the 57-member OIC
after taking over from Malaysia's former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
last year.
According to Abdel Kader, Africans celebrate the anniversary of Africa Day
on May 25 in order to reinforce their commitment to achieving African unity and
to ensure no African is deprived of liberty.
The day is also a commitment of Africa in striving for economic development
and achieving better quality of life for all its citizens, the ambassador said.
He said that in Malaysia, Africa Day has been celebrated since the last four
or fives years so as to make Malaysians more aware of Africa in general, its
economy as well as its political and social situation.
THE NEED FOR GREATER M'SIA-AFRICA INTERACTION
Abdel Kader noted that events like Africa Day and cultural activities would
allow for more interaction between Malaysians and Africans.
The ambassador is also very keen in having some kind of "cultural tourism."
"Given the fact that there are a lot of Muslims in Africa and Malaysia is
predominantly made up of Muslims, you would see more exchange (of tourists) at
that level too, so I foresee in the near future that tourism will grow
exponentially between Malaysia and African countries," he said.
Indeed, "mysterious Africa" also has huge potential in attracting tourists
from Malaysia with its "energetic" culture, exotic tourism spots and the
renowned safaris.
For Senegal the ambassador said its beautiful beaches are some of the
country's attractions.
OPPORTUNITIES IN AFRICA
Located in the western most part of the African continent, Senegal is home
to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world while Dakar, its capital is
one of the busiest cruise ship ports in Africa.
On trade opportunities in Africa, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin has acknowledged that African nations provide a range of investment
opportunities, which Malaysian businessmen should look into and explore.
He made this remark at the three-day Global Smart Partnership Dialogue from
July 26-28 in Kampala, Uganda.
Indeed with a population that is reportedly reaching almost one billion,
Africa is a land of opportunities for investors and tourists alike.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- If you had walked down the streets of Kuala Lumpur some 10 years ago, the chances of bumping into an African were quite slim.
But now with the advent of globalisation, Africans are making their way to
Malaysia as businessmen, tourists and students, as they become more familiar
with the country's potential.
According to Senegal's Ambassador to Malaysia Abdel Kader Pierre Fall, with
globalisation, Africans are now more knowledgeable of the new potentials in Asia
and as such more and more are making their way to Asia including Malaysia.
Africans have been coming to Malaysia also for "medical tourism" because it
is cheaper to do so in this country rather than Europe where they used to go
previously, he told Bernama in an interview recently.
Malaysia, he said had the medical tourism advantage "where one could get
more mileage out of one's money," said the ambassador, who is also the vice-dean
of the African Diplomatic Group here.
MORE AFRICANS ARE HEADING TO MALAYSIA
Abdel Kader also expects more and more Africans to visit Malaysia's tourism
spots as they are now more familiar with Malaysia as a tourist destination,
apart from an educational hub.
The ambassador said that besides tourism, Africa has been looking forward to
diversifying partnerships with Malaysia be it in trade, technical cooperation or
even politics.
Describing the ties between Africa and Malaysia as very "promising", he
pointed out that at the recent Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS)
organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) here,
almost 30 percent of Senegal's delegation bought "some containers to send back
home."
"Trade with Malaysia is definitely going forward and we see more Africans
coming to Malaysia to buy products and more Malaysians going to Senegal and
other African countries as well for partnerships in trade," the ambassador said.
And when Africa celebrated the 46th anniversary of Africa Day here in May,
he said it was not only a joyous occasion for the continent but also a
celebration of the friendship between Africa and Malaysia.
MAKING MALAYSIANS MORE AWARE OF AFRICA
Besides, most of the African countries are members of the Organisation of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) and even at this level there is a "perfect
relationship" with Malaysia.
Senegal President Abdulaye Wade is the current chairman of the 57-member OIC
after taking over from Malaysia's former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
last year.
According to Abdel Kader, Africans celebrate the anniversary of Africa Day
on May 25 in order to reinforce their commitment to achieving African unity and
to ensure no African is deprived of liberty.
The day is also a commitment of Africa in striving for economic development
and achieving better quality of life for all its citizens, the ambassador said.
He said that in Malaysia, Africa Day has been celebrated since the last four
or fives years so as to make Malaysians more aware of Africa in general, its
economy as well as its political and social situation.
THE NEED FOR GREATER M'SIA-AFRICA INTERACTION
Abdel Kader noted that events like Africa Day and cultural activities would
allow for more interaction between Malaysians and Africans.
The ambassador is also very keen in having some kind of "cultural tourism."
"Given the fact that there are a lot of Muslims in Africa and Malaysia is
predominantly made up of Muslims, you would see more exchange (of tourists) at
that level too, so I foresee in the near future that tourism will grow
exponentially between Malaysia and African countries," he said.
Indeed, "mysterious Africa" also has huge potential in attracting tourists
from Malaysia with its "energetic" culture, exotic tourism spots and the
renowned safaris.
For Senegal the ambassador said its beautiful beaches are some of the
country's attractions.
OPPORTUNITIES IN AFRICA
Located in the western most part of the African continent, Senegal is home
to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world while Dakar, its capital is
one of the busiest cruise ship ports in Africa.
On trade opportunities in Africa, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin has acknowledged that African nations provide a range of investment
opportunities, which Malaysian businessmen should look into and explore.
He made this remark at the three-day Global Smart Partnership Dialogue from
July 26-28 in Kampala, Uganda.
Indeed with a population that is reportedly reaching almost one billion,
Africa is a land of opportunities for investors and tourists alike.
-- BERNAMA
