M’sia eyeing construction business in Russia

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VLADIVOSTOK: The construction industry could be the next strategic area that Malaysia may venture into Russia, having already established cooperation in the oil and gas industry as well as timber, Malaysian Ambassador to Russia, Zainol Abidin Omar said.

Malaysia hoped to take advantage of opportunities in this industry as the potential was enormous with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin having stated plans for upgrading the country’s infrastructure and transportation sector, he told Malaysian journalists at the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 2012 meetings here.

The potential in Far East Siberia was especially high as it was largely unexplored, he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who would arrive here for the Apec 2012 Economic Leaders Meeting from September 8 to 9, was expected to hold bilateral meetings with New Zealand, Thailand, Mexico, the US and host Russia.

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who was representing Malaysia at the Apec Ministerial Meeting (APMM), which took off here yesterday, together with Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, was also expected to hold bilateral meetings with several Apec economies including Russia.

These meetings were expected to pave the way for more business and trade opportunities between Malaysia and Russia, Zainol said.

“In 2011, trade between Russia and Malaysia amounted to US$1 billion and we hope to raise the trade level,” he said.

With Russia keen to establish close links with its Asia Pacific and South East Asian partners, this was expected to see more collaboration and opportunities in many areas including tourism and education.

“With Russia becoming a new member of the World Trade Organization, we also hope that it would fulfill its obligations as a member and this hopefully will give Malaysia further opportunities.” On tourism, he said Russia was a market with a population of 143 million and Malaysia was aiming to get more Russians to come to Malaysia.

He also disclosed that Malaysia and Russia were in the final stages of discussions on visa requirement for Malaysians to enter Russia.

Currently, Malaysians need visas to enter Russia but Russians could enter Malaysia without a visa.

Malaysia hoped to do away with the visa. An announcement on this is expected to be made soon. — Bernama