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| Najib (left) has meetings with over 10 heads of states scheduled in Davos. — Reuters pic |
Najib, who will be attending the four-day WEF as prime minister for the first time, has more than 10 courtesy calls on foreign leaders, one-on-one meetings with business chieftains, as well as bilateral meetings lined up.
Malaysian Ambassador to Switzerland Datuk Ho May Yong, said the prime minister was invited by WEF executive chairman Prof Klaus Schwab to attend the forum to share Malaysia’s transformation progress.
“The prime minister decided to accept the invitation,” she told Malaysian journalists covering the event late yesterday at the resort in below freezing temperatures, cold winds and foggy conditions.
The WEF annual meeting is a much-anticipated forum that brings together influential leaders from the realm of politics, business and civil society to discuss a wide range of global issues.
This year’s event, themed “Resilient Dynamism” provides a platform to showcase Malaysia’s vibrant economic growth and opportunities despite the backdrop of the global economic uncertainty in recent years.
Najib, who is also finance minister, is accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Anifah Aman; Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili; chief executive officer of the Performance Management Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) Datuk Seri Idris Jala, and senior officials from various ministries and agencies.
The high-level delegation will also include the participation of Malaysia’s business community.
Ho said among the objectives of Najib’s participation is to share Malaysia’s achievement in the development agenda in particular the initiative implemented under the transformation programme.
“In short, it is to tell our success story focusing on ETP (Economic Transformation Programme) and economic competitiveness,” she said.
Malaysia is in the midst of the transformation of the economy towards becoming a high income nation by 2020.
Ho said Najib will take the opportunity to promote Malaysia as a progressive and forward-thinking country with a progressive economy as well as an attractive location for investment.
“Malaysia’s unique tourism destination with a diverse culture will also be promoted besides enhancing the positive perception of the nation.
“The emphasis will of course be on Malaysia’s stability in the political, economic and social sphere,” she said.
Ho noted that Najib’s presence here will be “very strategic and coordinated” in the sense that “this will be done in his participation in WEF sessions as well as his engagement with the business community and hosting the Malaysia Night.
The prime minister is scheduled to participate in several sessions at the WEF annual meeting, such as an interactive session to discuss the global economic malaise and its perils.
In another plenary session, Najib, together with his counterparts and leaders from other ASEAN countries, will elaborate on ways ASEAN plans to unleash the next wave of growth.
The prime minister will also have a one-on-one session with renowned CNN anchor and journalist, Fareed Zakaria, during which he would shed light on efforts and achievements, as well as highlight ways Malaysia has sustained its economic and political transformation.
Najib would also host a luncheon meeting with corporate officials where he would stress on Malaysia’s natural endowment as a level for transformation and to promote Malaysia as a prime investment destination.
Chief executive officers (CEOs) of selected international companies and multinational corporations, fund managers, bankers and consultants will participate in the event.
The prime minister will host a Malaysian Night to showcase the achievements of Malaysia, as well as to enhance Malaysia’s presence at WEF.
Malaysian Night is expected to be a spectacular event consisting of a three-segment theatrical event approach on Malaysia depicting its past, the present information and the future possibilities that the country holds.
Ho said participation of Malaysian businessmen in this forum will allow them to network with businessmen from all over the world and seek new business opportunities.
Participation by government officials and businessmen in the Davos Forum is part of the public-private sector initiative to bring in more foreign investments and tourists into Malaysia, she said. — Bernama
(Source: The Malaysian Insider)
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