M'sia-Saudi Ties-From Haj To Industries
JEDDAH, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- It all began from haj; the cordial relations between
Fifty-three Malaysian companies are already operating in this country and about 2,000 young Malaysian professionals are imparting their expertise for its fast-paced development.
"The integrity and expertise of Malaysians are highly respected," said Malaysian Consul-General in Jeddah Hidayat Abdul Hamid to Malaysian journalists in the Tabung Haji media team covering this year's haj season.
"We hope the professionals and our pilgrims here will always maintain the good image," he said.
He said the confidence and high regard given by the Saudi government to Malaysian capabilities evolved from their interaction with the Malaysian government and haj pilgrims since before the country achieved independence.
"In fact,
In appreciation of
"We hope the Saudi government can offer seats for Malaysian students in other fields in the future," Hidayat said.
He said the Saudi people who visited
"They respect us as a developed and modern Islamic country and its gentle and courteous people," he said.
On Malaysian companies in
He said the Saudi government was building a four-storey complex at the place and
"We are proud because Malaysian companies were selected to contribute to the expansion of the holy site," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Mining Corporation had been given the opportunity to take part in the development of
DRB-Hicom planned to build an automobile plant there, he added.
Hidayat said Tenaga Nasional, Malakoff and Khazanah Nasional were also involved in an energy generation and seawater desalination joint-venture in Shuhaiba, west of
The project was expected to start operations early next year, he said and added that he was told that
Another Malaysian company, AZRB, was involved in the construction of
-- BERNAMA.com 18 November 2008
