Friday January 25, 2013

Malaysia has ‘compelling story’ to tell leaders at economic forum

By FINTAN NG

Warm greetings: Najib arriving in Davos for a four-day working visit to the World Economic Forum. — Bernama

DAVOS: Malaysia has “a compelling story to tell” to promote the nation as an attractive investment and tourism destination at the World Economic Forum.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is on a four-day working visit to the World Economic Forum, said Malaysia’s “compelling story” would be told via meetings, events and the media in the next few days.

He said advertisements had been placed in the Economist and CNN as part of the campaign to promote the country as an investment and tourism destination.

With the tagline “Endless Possibilities”, the advertisements together with an advertorial in the Economist highlights the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and the Government Transforma-tion Programme (GTP).

Najib would also be highlighting how the ETP and the cross-cutting reforms of the New Economic Model (NEM) have gradually changed the economic landscape of the country in the past several years.

Najib, who would be holding meetings with other government and business leaders to discuss outstanding bilateral issues and investment opportunities, has also been scheduled to have a one-on-one session with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, the host of GPS, a weekly public affairs show, to shed light on Malaysia’s efforts and achievements as well as the sustainability of the country’s economic and political transformation.

“I believe Malaysia will be among one of the more attractive investment and tourism destinations when people know what we’re doing especially for our future potential,” Najib said at a media briefing shortly after arriving at the alpine ski resort from Zurich.

Najib added that the potential stemming from the changes initiated by the Government would attract investors either via foreign direct investments or through the capital markets.

“My participation in the WEF is to achieve several objectives. The first is to promote the country in this forum where political and business leaders as well as experts from other fields make this a golden opportunity to project the country’s strengths from the business, trade and tourism perspectives,” he said.

The highlight of the visit would be the Malaysian Night, which would include a three-segment theatrical event highlighting the country’s past, its present and the future possibilities.

“We expect a good turnout and I believe the attendees will be interested to know more about the Government’s transformative agenda, our ETP, NEM and other future plans,” Najib said.

He said that besides the promotion efforts, the forum would give him the opportunity to have meetings with other government leaders and business leaders.

Among the corporate leaders he would be meeting on his first day here would be Itochu Corp chairman Eizo Kobayashi, Hanwha Group president and chief executive officer Nam Gyu Cha and Evonik Industries AG CEO Klaus Engel.

Najib said a meeting would be held with Canadian Finance Minister James Flaherty to convey the Government’s appreciation for the Canadian Government’s approval of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s US$5.21bil (RM15.8bil) takeover of Progress Energy Resources Corp.

A meeting has also been scheduled with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

News

Friday January 25, 2013

Malaysia has ‘compelling story’ to tell leaders at economic forum

By FINTAN NG