By Arvind Nair
Gulf Times 22 Jan 2009
TWO sets of documents were exchanged yesterday at a Malaysia-Qatar Business Forum meeting, attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani.
A MoU document was exchanged between Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Zecon Berhad, while a joint venture agreement was swapped between Al-Mana Trading Company and Sime Darby Engineering Sdn, Malaysia’s biggest private sector company.
Speaking at the function, Sheikh Faisal said the Malaysia-Qatari Business Forum aims to increase economic integration and exchange of investments between the two countries.
“This, in turn, will thrive our business communities and will support the development of private sector, which leads to more progress and prosperity in the future”, he added.
Under the joint agreement, Zecon would provide services related to Qatari Diar’s construction projects.
The papers were exchanged by Qatari Diar’s CEO Ghanim bin Saad al-Saad and Zecon’s CEO and managing director Datuk Hj Zainal Abidin Hj Ahmad.
“This unique business relationship will create a strong co-operation between Qatar and Malaysia, as Qatar will benefit from the know-how of the Malaysian expertise in civil engineering, building works, infrastructure and property development in several Qatari Diar projects. Malaysia will have the opportunity to tap into Qatar market and to undertake several projects”, an official said.
The joint agreement papers were exchanged by Al-Mana chairman Omar al-Mana and Sime Darby managing director Dato Mohamed Shukri Baharom. Chairman of Sime Darby Energy Division, Tan Sri Dr Tajuddin Ali was also present.
The agreement provides for tapping business opportunities in property, health care, construction and oil and gas, an official said.
The Malaysia-Qatari Business Forum meeting was attended by the visiting Malaysian delegation, local business leaders and ambassadors.
The Malaysian official delegation, accompanying the Premier, included five cabinet ministers, three chief ministers, two junior ministers, more than 40 business leaders and a number of officials.