Media Release: Malaysia-IDB Group Investment Forum
18 Apr 2012 08:43 AM

The First Ever Initiative to Provide a Platform to Promote Business Partnerships Among IDB Member Countries.
Malaysia Partners with Islamic Development Bank Group to hold an Investment Forum in May 2012

Kuala Lumpur, 17 April 2012 – The Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed stated today that Malaysia, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank Group, will organize a Malaysia-IDB Group Investment Forum 2012 during the period from 9-11 May 2012 in Kuala Lumpur. Speaking to a press gathering at the IDB group Regional Office, the Minister said that the Investment Forum will provide investors and entrepreneurs from IDB member countries a platform to meet and explore cross-border business prospects and partnerships.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak is scheduled to inaugurate the Forum and deliver his keynote address, and launch the Investment Forum at the opening ceremony on May 10. The Prime Minister will also lunch the Member Country Partnership Strategy (MCPS) - a medium term strategy and business plan (1431H-1433H/2011-2013) between Malaysia and IDB in enhancing IDB's partnership with Malaysian private sector. Through this initiative, Malaysian private sector will be directly linked to other IDB member countries through IDB/MCPS.

Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed meanwhile stressed further that the Investment Forum will promote investment opportunities in this country especially to capital surplus investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. “The Forum is an ideal opportunity for Malaysia to engage with this group of successful entrepreneurs from the IDB member countries, who are owners of capital and founders of business empires.

Under the theme Forging Strategic Business Partnerships between Malaysia and the IDB Member Countries, the Investment Forum program will includes briefings and presentations by prominent speakers drawn from the public and private sectors. Speakers who will address the Forum include the Secretary General of ASEAN, top management from Government Agencies and GLCs, among others. It is expected that some 500 prominent entrepreneurs and investors from IDB member countries will gather in Kuala Lumpur to take part in the Investment Forum.

There will be business matching sessions to help participants identify business opportunities in Malaysia and IDB and OIC member countries. There will also be exhibitions to disseminate information on investment opportunities in Malaysia in various sectors and IDB Group agencies are also expected to put up an exhibition booth.

According to Mr. Ahmed Saleh Hariri, Manager, Country Division of IDB, the Investment Forum will strengthen its partnership program with Malaysia. He said, “IDB views that Malaysian private sector has the capacity and capability to explore and tap potentials available in other IDB member countries. IDB is looking at Malaysia's economic models as a basis to develop the economy and social progress of other IDB member countries. IDB's main function is to provide development assistance to its member countries in key sectors such as infrastructure, utilities, agriculture, financial services among others.”

Ministry of International Trade and Industry
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
17 April 2012