ENVOY ENGAGES MALAYSIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN UAE

By Abdul Muin Majid

DUBAI, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) Yahaya Abdul Jabar has pledged to bring up issues faced by the
Malaysian business community in this Gulf state with the Malaysian government.

He conveyed this during a dialogue session with representatives of Malaysian
companies and professionals organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development
Corporation (Matrade) here recently.

"We'll definitely take up those issues and concerns with the government and,
from there, we'll see whether our leadership can help resolve some of their
problems," the envoy said.

Among the issues raised during the session moderated by Matrade's senior
trade commissioner based in Dubai, Dzulkifli Mahmud, were late payments by
clients and how Malaysian financial institutions could assist some of the
Malaysian firms operating in the UAE.

Yahaya said the government should look at the possibility of a capital
increase for Malaysia's Exim Bank to enable it to carry out its role more
effectively.

"I've personally found the discussions very frank and lively. The session
has helped us to better understand some of the issues and problems faced by our
business community," he said.

One of the participants, Eversendai Corporation's group managing director
Datuk A.K. Nathan, said Malaysian firms should pick the right jobs and partners.

According to him, they should gauge their own strength before signing up for
any project.

The event was also attended by Malaysian consul-general in Dubai, Syed
Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin.

-- BERNAMA