PUTRAJAYA: Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is currently heading a working visit to Japan to market Malaysia as a stable and high potential investment destination.
In a statement issued earlier, the Finance Ministry said the three-day ‘jerayawara’ or roadshow which started on February 6, 2019, would end today.
The statement also quoted Lim as saying that international investors are confident in Malaysia’s economic potential as well as the current government’s ability to drive the nation’s economy forward.
“Malaysia continues to be regarded as an attractive investment destination by investors, even more with the government’s commitment to Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) in its governance under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, an international statesman who is well-known and much respected in Japan.
“They are confident that their investments will be used to grow Malaysia’s economy to the fullest,” he added.
The ministry also said that the visit would also give confidence to the international investment community to take part in the 200 billion yen or RM7.4 billion of Samurai bond, offered by the Japanese Government via Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC).
It was reported previously that the Japanese Government will guarantee this 10-year bond, which is expected to be issued next month.
It will be the largest financial foreign assistance ever since Pakatan Harapan took over after the May 9, 2018, polls.
The ‘jerayawara’ was organised by Daiwa Markets Limited (with the cooperation of Affin Hwang Investment Bhd), HSBC Bank Malaysia and Mizuho Bank (Malaysia) Bhd as lead organisers appointed by the Finance Ministry for this bond issuance.
Among those who accompanied Lim were Treasury secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Badri Mohd Zahir, Treasury deputy secretary-general Datuk Siti Zauyah Md Desa and Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor Marzunisham Omar.
Lim also took the opportunity to meet with the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Taro Aso and advisor to the prime minister and chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Hiroto Izumi, the statement read.
The ministry said that Lim conveyed the Malaysian government’s appreciation towards the Japanese government’s willingness to guarantee the Malaysian Samurai Bond to reduce the interest cost if the loan.
“The Japanese government not only facilitated the bond’s issuance in a short span of time, they also opened up potential trade opportunities in other areas.
“Their meeting also discussed future directions in the relationship between the two countries and opportunities to increase collaboration and investment in various strategic areas,” he added.
The ministry also said the long-held close relationship and cooperation between the two governments is expected to develop further through this trip and deliver a positive impact for Malaysians.
“It is hoped that the relationship between the two countries will attain great heights as envisioned by Dr Mahathir in the Look East Policy introduced by him, where Japan played a major role in Malaysia’s economic development at that time.”