NEGERI SEMBILAN TAKES NEW APPROACH ON ATTRACTING INVESTORS

SEREMBAN, Nov 18(Bernama) -- Negeri Sembilan is taking a new approach by bringing overseas trade delegations to the state in an effort to attract foreign investors.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said this initiative was currently being undertaken and would be continued next year.

"We do not want to send trade delegations overseas anymore in search of investors. But, we will invite them to come to Negeri Sembilan. We feel this new approach is more efefctive and in this regard, we are contacting the Chambers of Commerce of a number of countries," he told reporters after hosting a luncheon for a 17-member delegation from the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce here today.

He said that the move was also more suitable as it enabled investors to gain first hand information and view at close range for themselves, what was suitable for their investment in the state.

Mohamad said Negeri Sembilan was now focusing on three types of investments, namely, high technology industries and the education and tourism industry.

"Although we did not send trade delegations overseas this year, we still had investors coming to Negeri Sembilan.It does not mean, if do not go out, we will not receive investments.

"We are confident of attracting even more investments in 2010 in view of the many queries and applications from overseas to invest in the state," he said.

Meanwhile, he said that the meeting with the New Zealand delegation was arranged during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting in Singapore last week.

"We brought the delegation to Negeri Sembilan after Apec for discussions and to see if they are keen on investing in the state.

"This morning, they had a briefing on the Negeri Sembilan Technology Corridor (Enstek) in Nilai followed by a visit to the Sendayan Fruit Valley as well as the Sendayan Techvalley.

"This afternoon, they had a dialogue session with government officials while visiting Port Dickson," he said.-- BERNAMA

RP AS