MALAYSIAN DPM LEADS TRADE MISSION TO JAPAN

From M. Saraswathi

TOKYO, Dec 7 (Bernama) – Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Mohd
Yassin, who is leading a trade and investment mission to Japan, will have
separate discussions with presidents and chairmen of several Japanese companies
in efforts to attract increased investments to Malaysia.

The mission aims to attract Japanese investments in areas such as advanced
electronics, green automotive technologies, transport equipment and components,
petrochemicals and chemical products, as well as medical and food products.

Japan possesses wide ranging research and developemnt capabilities in green
auto technologies as well as hybrid cars.

These companies include Toyota Motor Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and
Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Malaysian Ambassador to Japan, Sharuddin Md Som,
said here Sunday.

In Tokyo, Muhyiddin will meet officials from 21 companies as well as several
companies from Osaka.

“The high number of confirmations from chief executives has been very
encouraging and the individual meetings will give a better opportunity to the
Deputy Prime Minister to exchange ideas and give an insight into the Malaysian
government's policies," he told journalists.

Muhyiddin would also meet with Malaysians residing in Japan.

The mission would enable Japanese corporate officials who are keen to invest
in Malaysia to obtain additional information as well as exchange ideas with
members of the Malaysian delegation during the trade mission on their investment
plans.

The Deputy Prime Minister would also be interviewed by prominent business
media organisation, Nikkei Business, in Tokyo.

He said the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister himself is leading the
mission for the first time would further reinforce trade and investment linkages
between Malaysia and Japan.

In 2008, Japan was Malaysia's third largest trading partner with trade
valued at RM136.7 billion (US$1=RM3.38), up 16.5 per cent from 2007.

Exports to Japan exceeded RM71.6 billion while imports were worth RM65.2
billion.

For the January-September 2009 period, exports to Japan were at RM38.9
billion while imports were worth RM38.6 billion.

Japan maintained its position as the major source of foreign direct
investments. As of December 2008, a total of 2,260 projects worth RM49.6 billion
were implemented in the manufacturing sector.

In 2008, Japan was the largest foreign investor in Malaysia with approved
investmengts in 63 projects amounting to RM5.6 billion.

Between January and October 2009, 46 projects were approved with investments
worth RM6.5 billion.

-- BERNAMA