By C P Ravindran/Doha
Qatar is studying “a number of new investment projects” submitted by Malaysia. A Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) team is just back in Doha from a trip to Kuala Lumpur.
Ambassador Ahmad Jazri bin Mohamed Johar:calls relations with Qatar “excellent”
The team, during its visit, held extensive talks with a number of senior officials in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Ambassador Ahmad Jazri bin Mohamed Johar told Gulf Times.
“Qatar’s Barwa Group is also interested in undertaking projects in co-operation with Malaysia,” the ambassador said.
QIA, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, already has stakes in some Malaysian projects. Qatar and Malaysia have also set up an investment fund.
The Malaysian Trade Centre will open its office in Doha in December, the ambassador said. “Malaysia is keen to expand business links with Qatar and the Trade Centre will play a crucial role in this.”
Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said recently that the Trade Centre, to be managed by the Malaysia External Trade and Development Corporation, “will take economic relations between the two countries to greater heights.”
The centre, the minister said, would showcase the best of Malaysian services and goods. “It will also be a centre to source Malaysian products and services.”
There are already around 15 Malaysian companies working in various sectors, including construction, infrastructure, materials, hotels in Qatar. Malaysian construction companies have so far managed to secure 26 projects in Qatar worth $2.5bn. Among the notable Malaysian companies operating in Qatar are Eversendai Engineering, Gamuda Bhd, WCT Engineering Bhd and Muhibbah Engineering.
Qatar is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner among the GCC countries. Last year, trade between the two countries grew four times to $1.7bn, from $400mn in 2010, mostly contributed by the increasing exports of Qatar crude oil to Malaysia.
Malaysia was represented by more than 56 countries in the recent Project Qatar exhibition, making it the single largest participant.
The ambassador called Qatar-Malaysian relations “excellent.”
There are 4,600 Malaysians working in Qatar of which 1,200 are professionals.
The ambassador said that Malaysia was a “favourite honeymoon destination for Qataris.”
Around 9,000 Qataris travel to Malaysia for holidays every year.
Cultural extravaganza
Malaysia is ready to stage its premier cultural extravaganza that will showcase the country’s arts and crafts. The Colours of 1Malaysia festival celebrates the country’s spectrum of cultures. This annual event brings the heritage and culture of Malaysians from all states. The carnival will be held on May 19 at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur. This year, the parade is expected to attract about 100,000 spectators, both local and foreign. More than 7,000 participants are taking part in the 14th installment of Colours of 1Malaysia which has become the country’s iconic tourism event since its inception in 1999. The parade will feature a decorated float procession and a choreographed dance routine that showcases various tourism events and products in Malaysia.