Malaysian Minister calls for business collaboration

Chennai, Sep 15 (UNI) Malaysian Deputy Minister for International Trade and Industry Ahmad Husni Hanadziah today invited Indian companies to collaborate with Malaysian firms to undertake projects in third world countries.

The Indian companies could collaborate and take advantage of Malaysia's business network in South East Asia, West Asia and Africa, he said while addressing a seminar on 'Malaysia-India Business Opportunities' jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation.

Stating that Malaysian construction companies had completed 49 projects worth USD 2.10 billion in India, he said 12 more projects worth USD 889.20 million were being executed at present.

He said Malaysia could supply to India a wide range of manufactured goods, including optical and scientific equipments, furniture, rubber products, transport equipment, auto parts and components, electrical and electronic projects, plastic products and chemicals, at competitive prices.

Mr Hanadziah exhorted Indian companies to take advantage of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC Malaysia) as a regional location for centralised ICT operations including contact centres, technical support centres and data centres.

A total of 1,529 companies, including 44 from India had been awarded with MSC status so far, he added. The MSC was established to serve innovative ICT and multimedia companies with a global technological hub as a springboard, especially to the South-East Asian market.

He said the bilateral trade between Malaysia and India had totalled USD 2.70 billion in the first half of 2006 as against USD 2.30 billion the corresponding period last year.

Stating that Malaysia was holding negotiations with India on the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement, he expressed hope that both India and ASEAN would take necessary steps to expedite the process to realise the FTA soon for the benefit of the business community.

UNI AKN JJ 1727