M'SIAN COMPANIES URGED TO INVEST IN BAHRAIN'S ALUMINIUM, AEROSPACE, GAS

From Premalatha Jayaraman

MANAMA (Bahrain), Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian companies should look into
investing in aluminium production, aerospace services and the supply of gas in
Bahrain, said Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida), director
general, Datuk Jalilah Baba.

"They (Bahrain) are strong in aluminium production and aerospace services
and these are the areas we can partner them," Jalilah told Bernama on the
sidelines of the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) roadshow
to Qatar and Bahrain, here Thursday.

The roadshow delegation, comprising regulators and industry players, is led
by the Crown Prince of Malaysia's Perak state, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, who is also
the financial ambassador to the MIFC initiatives.

Jalilah said another area Malaysian investors could consider was the supply
of gas as Bahrain has a huge supply which Malaysia lacked.

She said Bahraini investors were interested in technology-based,
petrochemical, food security, medical product and biotechnology industries.

Malaysia's total exports to Bahrain in 2008 rose by 36.5 per cent to US$83.9
million compared with 2007.

The bulk of the export was electronic and electric products.

Jalilah said Mida was working with Bahrain Economic Development Board to
increase bilateral trade.

Earlier, in her presentation at the Malaysia-Bahrain Business Forum, Jalilah
said Mida planned to open offices in Houston, Munich, Hong Kong, Bangkok,
Jakarta, Singapore and Johannesburg.

"Mida will have 26 offices worldwide by middle of next year from 19 now.

"These overseas offices are expected to attract foreign direct investment
and assist Malaysian companies investing overseas," she said.
-- BERNAMA