‘Salam Aidil Fitri’ to all our members and readers.

In this edition, we present you with the second installment of YBhg Dato’ J. Jegathesan’s article “Attracting Foreign Investments”. Dato’ J. Jegathesan’s article is backed by many years of distinguished service with the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) at a time when Malaysia’s phenomenal economic growth was accelerated by Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from many developed nations.

The recently held Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) and the concurrently held Malaysia-Africa Business Forum in June 2011 were timely and well-attended. The Forum revealed that there is considerable scope for increasing trade and investment between countries in the African continent and Malaysia. The business delegation from the Kingdom of Swaziland, led by its Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Barnabas S. Dlamini held a business seminar in Kuala Lumpur where our members were invited to attend. The seminar revealed many interesting features and business opportunities for Malaysian traders and investors in that country. We thank His Excellency Dr. Barnabas S. Dlamini and the High Commission of the Kingdom of Swaziland in Kuala Lumpur for their close working cooperation that resulted in a fruitful seminar.

MASSA over the years have continually engaged with Africa and the association has led many delegations to Africa and hosted many high level officials and business delegations from the continent in Kuala Lumpur. In this edition, we have a country feature on Senegal. In 2004, MASSA organised a visit to Dakar, Senegal, that was led by YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong, one of our senior executive committee members. Senegal, since that visit, has evolved to become the primary preferred trading hub in West Africa. Its economic reforms have enabled Senegal to achieve a growth from 2.2% in 2009 to a projected 4.5% in 2011. The Embassy of the Republic of Senegal in Kuala Lumpur is at our members’ disposal to offer advice and referrals for business and investment opportunities in that country.

We are also pleased to inform members of the latest property development undertaken by Malaysian South-South Corporation Berhad in Danang, S.R. Vietnam. Phase 2 of its residential development in Fortune Park, Danang City is nearing completion ahead of schedule. The link houses are in the process of hand-over to the proud house owners, while the Link-Villa and Villa will be handed over in the third quarter of 2011.

The Secretariat has plans for an African follow-up programme in the pipeline, and details will be announced in due course. Last but not least, we welcome any business leads and feedback to better assist members in their business outreach.

Fatimah Sulaiman
Editor