DOHA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia should leverage Qatar's announcement to explore the digital transformation sector through the offering of nine billion riyal (about RM11.67 billion) in incentives.
The prime minister said the Qatari government's announcement was in line with Malaysia's own focus in the same sector in regards to the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
"One of our focuses is the AI field. We need to take follow-up actions with a focus on education, research and investment aspects," he told the Malaysian media.
Earlier, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, while speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum, had announced that his country was striving for economic diversification, moving towards nationwide digital transformation.
He said the move was made after the government realised the importance of information technology transformation, including in AI.
He added that the United States was a traditional market for Qatar but Asia was considered an attractive prospect.
Qatar, he said, was exploring new, emerging markets such as Central Asia and Africa.
Meanwhile, in the "Conversions With the Prime Minister of Malaysia" session, Anwar said digital transformation, energy transition and AI would help propel the nation forward.
He said Malaysia's firm stance in foreign policy will in no way jeopardise its potential for investments.
This, he said, was proven as investments continue to flow into the country, including from the US.
"I think it is obvious that we have a strong relationship with China. I personally do not accpet xenophobia and we are traditional partners.
"Investments continue to flow (into Malaysia)... (for instance) from the United States (in the form of) Microsoft and Google. (The investments) are aggressive and we welcome them.
"Malaysia is known for semiconductors in that region. There must be a reason (for this) and it is partly because of support from the US.
"It's true we have differences in opinion in some policies, but as a whole, we are still friends," he said.
Besides Anwar, present at the session were Al-Thani and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the QEF tomorrow.
