PM all set to woo top investors

WEF meet in Davos will help attract more investments

DAVOS (Switzerland): MALAYSIA'S high-level participation at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) here is focused on attracting foreign investors, foreign trade and tourists.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said besides his scheduled participation in several important sessions at the forum, bilateral meetings he would have with top foreign government officials and one-on-one meetings with business leaders, were all geared towards showcasing Malaysia's attractions as an investment destination.

"I would like to listen to the proposals and suggestions as to what will attract them to invest in Malaysia."

Upon his arrival here from Zurich this morning, Najib who flew in from Cairo yesterday, said he would also be meeting with Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

"I will convey to him Malaysia's gratitude towards Canada's approval of the investment by Petronas in Canadian shale natural gas producer, Progress Energy."

The Canadian government approved the purchase by Petronas in December last year after earlier blocking the US$5.5 billion (RM16.5 billion) deal. Najib will also be meeting the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte later today.

 The highlight of Malaysia's participation in this year's WEF in Davos will be the "Malaysian Night" on Friday.

"We anticipate a good turnout and will use the event to showcase various aspects of Malaysia to participants at the forum," said Najib.

The government has been promoting Malaysia's success story through the international press such as the influential The Economist magazine and cable news operator, CNN.

"We have an interesting story to tell and we will highlight Malaysia's potential for the international market to see."

Najib also expects the government's transformation programmes, especially the Economic Transformation Programme and the New Economic Model, to generate plenty of interest at the forum.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysians should be proud of Najib's historic visit to Gaza on Tuesday, where he pledged full support to the war-torn city.

"His visit, together with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, symbolised Malaysians' undivided support towards the Palestinians' fight for freedom against the Zionist regime," he said in a statement yesterday.

Muhyiddin said the people should emulate the country's premier by supporting and providing all forms of assistance to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people.

"We should also be proud that Najib was the first head of government or state from a non-Arab country to visit Gaza."

Muhyiddin said Najib's visit would strengthen the country's role in developing new initiatives on the international stage, particularly among Islamic countries, for the betterment of the Palestinians.