EU Believes Malaysia Still Best Place In Region For Investment

December 10, 2008 21:56 PM

EU Believes Malaysia Still Best Place In Region For Investment

KOTA BAHARU, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU) believes that Malaysia is still the best place in Southeast Asia for investment and trading despite the global economic slowdown.

France's ambassador to Malaysia, Marc Baretty, in stating this, said the EU's confidence was based on the measures taken by the Malaysian government to minimise the impact of the slowdown and the country's ability in facing such crisis.

Baretty said together with Malaysia's good record in sustaining its economy, EU members remained keen to continue investing and trading in the country which is also known for its business-friendly policy.

"Malaysia has made well-planned preparations to face the crisis and this country is still the safest place for investments," he said, adding that for the first time last February, the EU was the main importer of Malaysian goods, overtaking the United States.

Baretty was speaking to reporters after he and 18 other ambassadors of EU member countries paid a visit to the Kelantan state government at Kota Darulnaim here Wednesday.

On the visit, Baretty said though economic issues were not discussed, the EU members were interested in investment and trading opportunities in the state.

"What we need is a special unit for economic planning to be formed and then we can discuss further on business matters," he said.

-- BERNAMA