Learning Mission from World Bank Africa Region to Malaysia, 6 – 8 May 2009

The Finance and Private Sector Department in the Africa Region (AFTFP) of the World Bank Group organised an Africa-East Asia Experience Exchange Programme on Special Economic Zones and Competitive Clusters in partnership with the World Bank Institute (WBI), supported by the East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP), the Africa Region (AFR) and the AFR Capacity Development and Partnership Unit (AFRCP). The programme was held from 1 – 12 May 2009, covering Singapore, Malaysia and P.R. China (Shenzhen).

This initiative, which benefits from the support of multiple World Bank and external partners, facilitated face-to-face discussions on the policy, strategy and technical issues related to the development and implementation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and the growth of competitive clusters.

Besides providing a unique opportunity for interaction amongst representatives from African countries on the theme of zones and clusters, it also allowed them to establish contact and interact with Asian investors.

Specifically, this programme sought to:

• Facilitate the sharing of development experiences on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Cluster Development, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between African and East Asian countries.
• Build consensus on the development challenges and strategies in these fields.
• Identify possible solutions for Africa’s development bottlenecks.
• Create opportunities for continued interaction and technical exchange between counterparts in Africa and Asia.

19 senior level government officials from 10 African countries and 11 World Bank officers participated
in this event which comprised a series of workshops, field visits and other experience exchange interaction with their Asian counterparts.

MASSA/MASSCORP facilitated the Malaysian part of the programme that was held from 6 – 8 May 2009, whereby the participants visited Iskandar Malaysia, Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Selangor State Investment Centre (SSIC), Port Klang Free Zone, Westport, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) at Cyberjaya and CSF Data Centre. The visits and meetings brought together the high-level representatives of the Sub-Saharan African governments and their Malaysian counterparts from both the public and private sectors, to learn from each other and share views on the developmental experiences. The visit culminated in a briefing and networking session on 8 May 2009, where the participants had individual meetings with 50 Malaysian business people from 32 companies comprising a diverse range of sectors such as education, infrastructure, ICT, construction, trading, etc.

MASSA members meet with Mr Chansa Chipili of Powerflex Ltd, Zambia, 24 April 2009

On 24 April 2009, Mr Chansa Chipili, Managing Director of Powerflex Zambia Limited, visited MASSA and met MASSA members to share business opportunities in Zambia, particularly in the construction of bridges and roads, supply of construction materials, turnkey projects for the construction of a business centre and development of housing and business complexes.

Presentation on Business Opportunities in Libya, 16 June 2009

The new Malaysian Ambassador to Libya, H.E. Mohd Zulkephli Mohd Noor recently gave a presentation to MASSA members on the ‘Emerging Business Opportunities in Libya’.

The Ambassador revealed that Libya offers tremendous investment potential for Malaysian companies. With the normalisation of diplomatic relations with the United States and European Union, the country is now fully reintegrated into the international political and economic community with numerous structural reforms in place. This has resulted in increased foreign investor interest, particularly in the hydrocarbon, banking and infrastructure sectors. Although Libya remains dependent on its substantial hydrocarbon resources, there are plans to diversify the economy into other sectors like tourism and education.

The construction sector is another rapidly developing industry. The Libyan Investment Promotion Board successfully promoted a total of 82 investment projects across all sectors in Libya between 2003 and 2007. There are also 34 tourism projects totaling LYD242 million. These projects include the construction of new hotels, tourism complexes and villages, leisure parks, tourism administration centres, and other tourist-centric facilities. Libya also intends to modernise its financial services sector, encouraging banks to consider strategic partnerships with foreign banks.

Libya at a glance
The fourth largest country in Africa, Libya has a population of around 6 million. It is North Africa’s largest oil producer and accounts for 2.2% of global production. Not surprisingly, its main export earner is oil. In 2009, growth was estimated to reach 6.5% and foreign currency reserve was estimated at USD136 billion.

MASSA 18th Annual General Meeting, 26 June 2009

MASSA recently held its 18th Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2009 at Restoran Seri Melayu, Jalan Conlay,
Kuala Lumpur chaired by MASSA President, Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hashim.