AMSTERDAM, March 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can adopt the "AirportCities" concept developed by the Schiphol Group, operator of the Schiphol International Airport, here, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, says International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. They have a very comprehensive business model that can provide jobs to some 70,000 people.

"In the context of our country, we want to create high-paying jobs and business opportunities in the aviation sector, logistics and related services," he told BERNAMA after visiting the airport.

Both the operators of Schiphol International Airport and KLIA have met to discuss the "AirportCities" concept, said the minister who is on a trade and investment mission to three European cities, namely Amsterdam, Hamburg and Birmingham.

"I hope a comprehensive model can be implemented at KLIA to provide more jobs to Malaysians. This depends on our ability to woo local and foreign investors to create business opportunities around the airport.

"Anywhere in the world, airports will bring radical changes to surrounding areas. We've seen the sprouting of auxiliary and support services at KLIA.

"I hope close collaboration between the two airport operators will help hatch a practical model that can be adopted at KLIA," he said.

The Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the biggest airport in Europe, provides a dynamic surrounding, with a commercial arena to multinational companies, hotel facilities, logistics services and other related services.

Mustapa is heading a 50-member Malaysian delegation to three European countries on a eight-day trade and investment mission beginning Saturday.

The Netherlands is the first stop followed by Germany and the United Kingdom.

The delegation comprises 17 senior state government officials; Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA); 13 private sector representatives; officials from the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA); and Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

-- BERNAMA