Najib To Raise Malaysia's Profile As Preferred Multi-Faceted Destination At WEF

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will use this year's annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to build a strong case for Malaysia as a preferred investment, trade, education and tourism destination in Asia.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, would market Malaysia's branding based on the success of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) since its launch in October 2010 at the forum, where the world's political and economic elite would gather.

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, said with the congregation of over 2,500 of the world's most powerful and influential investors, business leaders and policymakers, the WEF was the best platform as it has a wider global audience.

"In light of the growing competitive environment, Malaysia needs to raise its profile by highlighting the success of the ETP and the country's business-friendly environment," he told a press conference here today.

He said despite the prime minister's busy domestic schedule, more so with the impending general election widely expected to be called in March this year, "work must go on to woo investments, grow the economy and generate jobs."

Najib would leave on Wednesday leading the Malaysian delegation to the WEF from Jan 23-26.

The WEF is one of the most important and high-profile annual business gatherings in the world.

The theme for this year's forum is "Resilient Dynamism" and global leaders will be discussing how, in an increasingly inter-connected world, nations and businesses could build risk resilience and adapt to meet new social and economic demands.

As the leader of a nation that has been bucking global trends as well as undergoing a bold transformation programme, Najib would take the opportunity to engage with other world leaders and help shape the global agenda in 2013.

Mustapa said the prime minister's programme would include meetings with Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.

He would also take part in a televised session on "The Economic Malaise and Its Perils".

Here, Najib would talk about global economic issues along with panellists including Ali Babacan, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Financial Affairs of Turkey and Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland.

There would also be a session on "Asean: Resilience in Diversity" where he would be joined by Asean politicians, including Philippines President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

Najib would also be in the spotlight during a one-on-one conversation with renowned CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria where he would touch on Malaysia's economic transformation as well as global issues.

Mustapa said Najib would also be meeting with international media and thought leaders as well as chief executive officers (CEOs) of prominent global corporations.

Besides Mustapa, Najib would be accompanied by several other Cabinet members and CEO of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

Others in the delegation include prominent Malaysian businessmen as well as heads of agencies.

Najib will also host the Malaysian Night, a soiree that aims to gather government leaders and corporate captains to showcase the best of Malaysian culture, business, economic potential, food and in general, the country and its people.

Top corporations attending the WEF include Sapura, Peremba, Khazanah Nasional, YTL Group, Felda and AirAsia.

-- BERNAMA