M'sia's liberalised services sector attracting Japanese

TOKYO: The move by the Malaysian Government to liberalise the services sector is expected to attract high interest from Japanese companies to invest in that sector, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said here today.

He said they are also keen to invest in the computer and related sectors, business services, healthcare and social services, transport, rental and leasing, tourism and sports and recreational activities.

He said the government's move to liberalise the automotive sector under the New Automotive Policy would also provide opportunities to Japanese companies to develop the electric vehicle and hybrid industry and woo interest of Japanese automotive companies to invest in the industry.

Last year, the government approved Japanese investments totalling US$912.27 million whilst the cumulative investments between January and September this year was US$736 million.

"Sectors that received latest approvals include projects that involved companies like Honda and Daihatsu," he said.

Najib said 87 Japanese companies were given approval for regional establishment status from 2006 till June 2013 to establish international procurement centre, regional distribution centre and operational headquarters.

He said Japanese companies major investments in Malaysia are in electrical and electronics, chemical and chemical products, non-metallic mineral products, basic metallic, petroleum products and chemical petroleum.

The prime minister said Toshiba Corporation will continue its partnership with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) to introduce carbon ion treatment system for cancer treatment.

In July this year, during the Japanese Prime Minister's visit to Malaysia, Toshiba Corporation and 1MDB signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the introduction of Toshiba's carbon ion radiotherapy system in Malaysia.

Najib said the IMDB must find a partner, who has the expertise in healthcare, to work with Toshiba Corp to implement the MoU.

On the MoU between Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) and Sekisui Chemical Co Ltd (Sekisui) to conduct a study to build a new manufacturing plant specially to develop advanced pre-fabricated modular houses in Malaysia, Najib said initial assessment showed the concept was viable in Malaysia.

"They're finalising the detailed business plan," he said.

The prime minister said that if the bulk of the building materials for the houses was brought in from Japan, the cost of the houses would escalate.

"But if the building materials are sourced locally, the house price will reduce further," he said.

On Oct 17, Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) signed a MoU to establish a joint venture with Sekisui, the biggest house builder in Japan, to conduct a study to build a manufacturing plant specially to develop advanced pre-fabricated modular houses in Malaysia.

The technology to build pre-fabricated modular houses has never been used in Malaysia. -- BERNAMA

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