DOHA: The meeting between Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and executives and business leaders from Qatar here has yielded results as the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti) received export potential worth RM700 million.
The announcement was made by Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, during his speech at a Malaysian community dinner in Qatar with the Prime Minister last night.
Tengku Zafrul said that the export commitment was stated by 36 captains of industry from Qatar during a business roundtable meeting chaired by the prime minister.
"Alhamdulillah, we received a commitment worth RM700 million. This shows Qatar companies' confidence in our products and services. Furthermore, we also see the potential of the West Asian market, which is a significant market for Malaysia that we can explore," he said when met after the dinner attended by more than 500 Malaysians.
Earlier, a total of 45 prominent industry captains from 36 companies representing sectors such as food and food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, real estate and construction, education, hospitality and healthcare, finance, aviation, retail and distribution, and the digital economy attended the roundtable meeting.
During the roundtable dialogue, Anwar reiterated Malaysia's commitment to strengthen bilateral relations with Qatar, especially in trade and investment.
He emphasised Malaysia's attractive value, with its robust infrastructure, rule of law factor, presence of skilled and trainable talent, disciplined project implementation, and vibrant business ecosystem.
He said it made an attractive destination for investors aspiring to make Malaysia a strategic manufacturing and service hub for the Asian market, besides attracting new opportunities for growth and diversity.
Tengku Zafrul also said the roundtable meeting in Doha served as a catalyst for fostering strategic partnerships, promoting investment and trade opportunities, besides enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
He reiterated Miti's and its agencies' priority to facilitate all export and investment commitments by Qatari businesses, especially in sectors such as chemicals/petrochemicals, digital economy, electrical and electronics (including medical devices), food processing, halal industry, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and renewable energy.
Also highlighted was Malaysia's strategic importance as a major trading partner, considering its membership in 16 Free Trade Agreements that can be leveraged by Qatari businesses based in Malaysia.
