"I am very optimistic about economic co-operation between the two countries", Malaysian Ambassador

I am very optimistic about economic co-operation between the two countries, especially in trade and tourism. There is great potential and very strong demand for consumer products. In 2006, trade between the two countries reached $3 billion and it is growing. In 2006, about 300,000 Malaysia tourists came to Vietnam, and approximately 150,000 Vietnamese tourists came to Malaysia. The figure is getting bigger this year.

 

The Malaysia Showcase will include approximately 50 exhibitors from tourism, education, healthcare, property development, trade and services, and will also provide a good environment to foster economic co-operation between the two countries. There are a lot of economic cooperation opportunities, and the two governments are working to create a more friendly economic environment for investors from both countries.

The official visit of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in the 50^th anniversary of independence is a key. It will bring the people of both countries closer together and improve understanding. Also, political conditions in both countries are very good and stable. The Malaysian government always welcomes investors from Vietnam and will support them with good services. And I think the Vietnamese government needs to continue successful economic reforms and provide more favourable investment conditions for foreign investors. My main task here as the Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam is also to boost economic cooperation between the two countries.

 

The Malaysia embassy in Hanoi will organize Malaysia week from 23 to 30 August 2007 in various locations around Hanoi. There will be four main activities.

The Malaysia culinary and culture delight will take place in Hanoi Horison Hotel from 23 to 29 August 2007. There, Malaysian cuisine will be available as buffet spreads for lunch and dinner daily. Diners will also be feted to scheduled cultural performances during lunch and dinner. Two chefs and one teh tarik (Malaysian tea) demonstrator will be specially flown in from Malaysia to support the culinary segment, while one cultural troupe of 12 persons will flown in to provide a cultural perspective to the event.

 

The Malaysia showcasewill converge at the Giang Vo Exhibition Centre from 24 to 26 August to showcase Malaysia’s multi-faceted achievements in the last 50 years. There are approximately 50 Malaysian exhibitors from the tourism, education, healthcare, property development, trade and services sectors. Visitors to the exhibition will also be entertained by scheduled cultural performances and stand a chance of winning lucky-draw prizes, including return tickets to Kuala Lumpur and tour packages to Malaysia.

 

Several modern Malaysian films will be screened in the Malaysia film festival at the National Film Centre in Hanoi from 27 to 29 August. The two romances Mukhsin and Cintar (meaning love) and the horror movie Jangan Pandang ke Belakang (Don’t look back) will be screened.

 

Admission to all film screenings is free and those interested to sample Malaysian film-making abilities are invited to contact the embassy of Malaysia to collect their complimentary tickets.

 

The Malaysia Fashion Galore will feature the collection of one specially flown in and internationally acclaimed Malaysian fashion designer, Bill Keith on 29 August 2007 at Hanoi Horison Hotel. The event is themed ‘Colours of Malaysia’ and will comprise of Malaysian costumes as well as modern and contemporary attire. With 30 years of experience, Bill Keith will also present Vietnamese attire (ao dai) using Malaysia batik (Malaysia fabrics).

 

The events aim to increased knowledge and improve understanding about Malaysia, its people, culture, achievements and orientations for the future. This will enhance person–to–person contact between the countries.