Welcoming Remarks for YBM at Malaysia – IDBG Investment Forum (9-11 May 2012)

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim 

The Honourable Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak,
Prime Minister of Malaysia

HE Tan Sri Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Ali Al Madani,
President IDB Group,

Distinguished guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and good morning

1. It is indeed an honour for me to be here this morning to welcome you to the Malaysia - IDB Group Investment Forum. Firstly, I would like to thank the Honourable Dato' Sri Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia for accepting the invitation to launch the Malaysia – IDB Group Investment Forum. Your presence today exemplifies your high commitment towards enhancing cooperation and investments between the IDB Group member states and Malaysia.

2. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all participants and guests of the first Malaysia – IDB Group Investment Forum. My appreciation to all of you, for gracing this forum with your presence, today. This good turnout is a clear indication of the growing business enthusiasm amongst the IDBG member countries.

3.  The Islamic Development Bank ( IDB) is a financial institution under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC ) which is responsible for the economic and social development of member countries . IDB assists the OIC countries to promote international trade, conducts training programs and capacity building in relation to the activities of development cooperation among OIC member countries.

Global Movement of Moderates

World Islamic Economic Forum

5. The World Islamic Economic Forum(WIEF) started off from a modest beginning as the OIC Business Forum, which was held on 15th October 2003, in conjunction with the tenth OIC Summit in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Since then, the Forum had successfully brought together government leaders, captains of industry, academic scholars, regional experts, professionals and senior corporate leaders to promote business partnerships in the Muslim world. Last WIEF was held in Kazakhstan in June 2011.

6. Malaysia look forward to the hosting the 8th World Islamic Economic Forum to be held in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on 4-6 December 2012 and welcome participants from all the IsDB member countries.

 

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE OF FORUM

7. The idea of organizing the inaugural Malaysia-IsDB Group Investment Forum originated 18 months ago during the bilateral meeting I had with the President of IDB in December 2010 during YBM working Visit to Jeddah. President Mohamed Ahmed Ali is extremely supportive of this initiative and has been giving active attention to ensure the success of this Forum.

8. The Malaysia – IDB Group Investment Forum is the first initiative in line with IDB Group strategy to continuously develop cooperation and promote business partnerships among IDB member countries. The Investment Forum will provide investors and entrepreneurs a platform to meet and explore cross-border business prospects and partnerships.

9. The main objective of the forum is to explore and enhance business partnership opportunities, engagement programs and institutional arrangements between Malaysia and the OIC economies, in close collaboration with IDB Group. The forum will also focus on market driven innovation by leveraging and strengthening business partnership with Far East economies to address the growing need of OIC economies/market through Malaysia as a preferred gateway.

 CONTENT OF FORUM

Ladies and Gentlemen,

10. As the forum's theme “ Forging Strategic Business Partnerships between Malaysia and the IDB Member Countries, ” suggests, this forum agenda is outlined with the aim to provide opportunities for more partnerships between Malaysian companies and investors from the IDB member countries.

11. In this forum, you will be presented with informative sharing sessions through briefings and presentations from prominent speakers to furnish you with the current business climate and investment opportunities we have here in Malaysia. Business - matching sessions which follow suit will serve as a platform for companies to explore and identify business prospects and partnerships. In addition to that, align with the saying “seeing is believing”, site-visits to Port Klang Flagship Zone, Malaysia Property Incorporated and KPJ – Tawakal will be conducted on the third day of forum to provide a closer look on the business environment and developments in Malaysian economy.

12. With these agenda outlined, this forum is expected to provide ample opportunities for participants to identify suitable partnership instruments and programs to create strategic partnerships between the IDB member countries and Malaysia.

13. With that, I would like to again express my gratitude and thanks for your participation in this 3-days forum. I wish you a rewarding forum and a pleasant stay in Malaysia.

Thank you.