IRAN-MALAYSIA COOPERATION WELL DIVERSIFIED

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Iran-Malaysia bilateral cooperation,
which is largely diversified, will continue to be enhanced for further progress,
said Iran Foreign Minister Dr Manouchehr Mottaki.

Speaking to Bernama here Sunday, he said he was pleased to note the existing
cooperation in the areas of energy, banking, housing and transportation, among
others, between the two countries.

"Iran and Malaysia are guided by strong political leadership to follow the
right path (in their bilateral relations)," said Mottaki who arrived here Sunday
to attend The Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) Foreign
Ministers meeting here Monday.

He said Iran was now preparing to host the next Joint Commission Meeting
involving the two countries in Tehran.

Malaysian investments in Iran totalled US$40 billion to date, especially in
the oil and gas sectors.

Malaysian companies have made new investments in Iran, especially in
infrastructure construction.

Besides Petronas, Proton and Telekom Malaysia, which have been present in
Iran since the mid-1990s, other Malaysian companies linked to the oil and gas
businesses are making inroads in the nation of 72 million people.

Malaysian companies are also seeking opportunities in housing, highway and
railroad projects, among others.

Last year, at the seventh meeting of the Iran-Malaysia Joint Commission,
Malaysia said there were at least 20 areas of cooperation that both countries
needed to work on.

These included trade and industries, as well as culture, diplomacy, politics
and youth-related issues.

-- BERNAMA