Zuma zooms in on Malaysia

One for the album: Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor posing for a photograph with Zuma and his wife Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma after the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian businessmen’s first investing spree to South Africa was some 20 years ago. Let’s do it again, said South African Presi­dent Jacob Zuma.

There were still huge opportunities, particularly in energy producing, transportation and manufacturing sectors, he said.

“Malaysia is a generous, trusted friend and an ally (to South Africa). We encourage more Malaysian businessmen to continue investing,” he said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.

In 1994, Malaysia made the right decision when it became among the first countries to invest in a newly created democratic South Africa, said Zuma.

“While the rest of the world adopted a wait-and-see attitude, Malaysia led the way,” he said.

“Today, Malaysians are the largest investors in South Africa from South-East Asia.”

Both leaders earlier had an hour-long bilateral meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office here.

Zuma, who arrived on Sunday, is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia.

This is also his first visit as the President of South Africa.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and South Africa stood at US$2bil (RM6.6bil) in favour of Malaysia, which is also the country with the largest Foreign Direct Investment at US$7.5bil (RM24.8bil).

Najib, meanwhile, said Malaysia was willing to share its knowledge and experience with South Africa to undertake its transformation programme.

“South Africa is keen to look at how we execute ours,” he said.

Najib added that there was huge business opportunities for Malaysian companies in South Africa, particularly in infrastructure development, power generation and development of airports and ports.

“Malaysian companies stand ready to participate in the infrastructure development in South Africa,” he said.

“We also would like to look at the future of our investments in South Africa, particularly by Petronas.”

Today, Zuma will receive, on behalf of former President Nelson Mandela, the Lifetime Campaigner for Global Peace Award from the Mahathir Global Peace Foundation and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarian Leadership from the Lim Kok Wing University.

(Source: The Star Online)