JEDDAH, 26 February 2004 — The Malaysian minister of international trade and industry, Rafidah Aziz, arrives here today with a team of 12 officials, including two members of parliament, according to Naeem Abdul Rahman, vice consul and trade commissioner.
Naeem told Arab News that this will be followed by a delegation of 63 businessmen, one of the biggest to tour Saudi Arabia to date. It will represent leading Malaysian companies. “The number of business representatives is two more than what was previously announced,” he said, and added, “that’s a good beginning, a good sign, and shows the interest of Malaysian companies in strengthening trade relations with their Saudi counterparts.” All will be arriving from Dubai after visits to the emirate and Doha.
He said that some of the major companies represented include Petronas Mitco, Pantai Medical Center, KPJ Medical Healthcare, Multimedia Development Corporation, and Lofsa Islamic Capital Market which will be promoting Islamic financial capital market.
Pantai and KPJ would be promoting health tourism and health care, hospital management, and training of doctors and nurses.
Most of the companies will be focusing on joint ventures, especially in manufacturing electrical and electronic goods, and also looking at other potential sectors for collaboration. The highlight of the Jeddah visit will be a business seminar on Saturday, which will be addressed by Rafidah. The Saudi deputy minister for commerce and industry, Abdullah ibn Abdur Rahman Al-Hamoudi, will also address the seminar. Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) chairman, Adel Fakieh, will also be present.