AMSTERDAM (HOLLAND), March 9 (Bernama) -- The trade and investment mission to Holland is confident of attracting investors to Malaysia, with a number of reciprocal visits, as early as next week. Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the interest of new Dutch investors was very high, as they knew the strength of Malaysia's economy.

"They will be making a series of vists to Malaysia almost every month," said Mustapa.

He is leading an almost 50-member Malaysian delegation on a eight-day visit starting March 6, to Amsterdam, Hamburg (Germany) and Birmingham (United Kingdom).

"Our visit has been much welcomed as a similar mission was held two years ago," he said.

According to Mustapa, a visit by Dutch entrepreneurs to Malaysia in the third quarter of the year has been planned, to expose them to available opportunities in the country.

The visit is being planned in cooperation with the Malaysian Dutch Business Council.

Within the European Union (EU), Holland was Malaysia's second largest trading partner last year, with total trade amounting to US$6.2 billion (RM20.7 billion) or 19.8 per cent.

Until December 2009, Dutch companies undertook 163 projects with investments of US$4 billion (RM13.4 billion).

The main investment sector was petroleum and petrochemical products,electrical and electronic products, chemical and chemical products, food products and natural gas.

Mustapa stressed that what is important following the discussions held is the follow-up, and hoped the potential investments secured, would be a reality this year itself.

Earlier, a seminar on "Trade and Investment Opportunities in the Services Sector in Malaysia", was held with a follow-up business matching session with the 115 potential Dutch investors in attendance.

Mustapa said arising from the session,a total of RM215 million in potential investments had been secured, in sectors such as renewable energy, Information and Communication Technology(ICT) and machinery appliances.

He disclosed that a company which had already invested in "bunkering" facilities at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in cooperation with MISC Bhd, was also planning to increase its investment.

At present a number of notable Dutch companies, among them Shell, ING, Dutch Lady and Philips, are already operating in Malaysia.

Apart from Holland, Germany and the United Kingdom, are also key trading partners within the EU for Malaysia.

All three markets accounted for 6.9 per cent of Malaysia's global trade and 61.7 per cent of the country's trade with the 27-member EU.

The trade and investment mission involves 17 senior state officers, the Northern Corridor Implementing Authority, 13 representatives from the private sector along with officers from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).

-- BERNAMA