EXCLUSIVE: MALAYSIA LOOKS TO THE EAST: Romania - increasingly attractive for Malaysian exports

• Interview with E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad, Malaysian ambassador in Bucharest

At a time when traditional trade partners, are affected by the economic crisis, Malaysia is turning its attention towards the West in an attempt to look for new markets, said in an interview, E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad, Malaysian ambassador in Bucharest, emphasizing that solid relationships at the government level can stimulate cooperation in several areas.

According to his Excellency, a first step in that direction is the visit to Romania which the Minister of Industry, Plantations and Consumer Goods of Malaysia will soon make.

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad hopes that the event will cause the beginning of the negotiations for the construction of a refinery for processing palm oil and other vegetable oils in Romania. "Other companies from both countries have manifested their interest in infrastructure projects, and he (ed. note: the Malaysian minister) would like to open further opportunities through his visit in Bucharest", His Excellency said.

Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad joined the Diplomatic Body in 1984 and has held various functions in the Malaysian representative offices in Iraq, Germany, Senegal, Iran and Nigeria. He was accredited in Bucharest one month ago and he wants to bring more substance to the bilateral relations with Romania.

Reporter: It is well known that the United States and Europe are faced with a large economic crisis. How have the events in the West been felt in Malaysia?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: Malaysia is an open economy. The United States of America (USA) are the main commercial partner, and the European Union is also an important partner. Under these circumstances we are a bit concerned. Due to our dependence on the foreign markets, if the situation in the EU were to worsen, the impact on the Malaysian economy would be dramatic. The only positive aspect is the continued expansion of the Chinese economy. The forecasts for the economic growth in 2012 have been cut from 6% to 5% and, barring any progress, the outlook is negative.

An annual growth rate of 7% would be necessary to reach our goal, in 2020 to join the developed countries, and that would be not possible without the improvement of the economic situation in the EU and the USA.

Reporter: In this context, how is the Romanian economy viewed in Malaysia?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: Romania is still an unknown for us, but especially amid the negative outlook for traditional commercial partners, it is beginning to look as an increasingly attractive market for the Malaysian exports. For example, last year palm oil and other Malaysian products exported to Romania have exceeded 2 billion Euros.

Reporter: Generally, how would you describe the bilateral Romanian-Malaysian relations?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: The Romanian-Malaysian relations are already old, this year we will celebrate 43 years of diplomatic relations. In spite of all this, the relations have remained on a political level, between the governments. I would wish for these relationships to exist between the peoples as well, and to also gain more consistency and value by promoting investments on both sides. After 43 years of mutual knowledge, there shouldn't be any impediments.

Reporter: What are in your opinion, the areas with the highest potential for bilateral cooperation?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: There are lots of areas which can be explored. Agriculture is one of them. So is education. Malaysia is a new attraction for students all over the world and we would want to see as many Romanian students.

20 years ago we had a delegation from Malaysia which was interested in the Romanian nuclear reactors. Today, even though we still want nuclear energy in Malaysia, research and technological development remain areas where the two countries could cooperate successfully. Moreover, the fact that both countries are active in the oil and natural gas industry already represents an opportunity for tighter relations. The opportunities are countless, but it is up to the leaders and the political players to turn them into concrete things.

Reporter: As to what concerns the economic cooperation, did you succeed in identifying the sectors and/or projects with increased potential?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: I think that the visit of the Minister of Industry, Plantations and Consumer Goods in Malaysia set to take place next week will lead to the beginning of negotiations for the construction of a refinery for processing palm oil and other vegetable oils in Romania, . Other companies in the two countries have expressed their interest in infrastructure projects, and he wants to open further doors through his visit in Bucharest. It remains up to investors to decide on the projects which could be profitable for them.

Reporter: Aside from the visit which you spoke about, have you considered other events which would boost the bilateral relations in the near future?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: We have scheduled another event near Romania, in Bulgaria, which would emphasize our interest in the region. We hope that this interest is shared by both parties and that the relations will intensify, with other actions to follow.

Reporter: You spoke about tourism as a sector with a potential for growth. How do you view this segment of bilateral relations and how are you getting involved in promoting tourism?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: Tourism is very important for Malaysia, as it is the biggest source of revenue for the state budget. Fortunately, what is being spent today on tourism will be recouped quickly, almost immediately. Romania shouldn't forget it is strategically positioned, it has a rich history.

An increasing number of Malaysian tourists come to Europe. Romanian tourists go to Asia. It is up to the people in charge of the two countries, to promote the destinations which could bring tourists to Romania, and Malaysia, respectively. We are the ones who should initiate partnerships between the companies involved, so that we see more Romanian tourists in Malaysia and more Malaysian tourists in Romania. Tourism would also determine the development of the relations between nations. It is also a way to attract attention to the existing opportunities in each of our two countries and the first thing that we need to do would be the bilateral relations.

Reporter: What kind of support are you expecting from the Romanian authorities?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: I expect and I anticipate that the Romanian authorities will equally show interest in this cooperation. I would also wish for the Romanian ministers to include Malaysia on the list of Asian destinations, in their official visits. Even though we haven't had many official visits over the last 40 years, the Malaysian leaders are now looking with increasing interest towards Romania, as a new emerging market.

Reporter: You have jus been accredited in Bucharest one month ago. Have you set specific goals for yourself for the period during which we will be in touch in the management of the diplomatic mission in Romania?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: I want to intensify the already good relations we have with Romania at a government level. I would also like to see more high level visits, more investments, a higher volume of commercial exchanges. I would like for more Romanians to know more about Malaysia, besides "Malaysia, truly Asia" (ed. note: the country's brand) and to enjoy and experience Malaysia. I've met a few Romanians who did that and who are eager to return. We don't gauge the success of tourism by looking at numbers alone. It is a good thing to have a few million tourists, but we want to see tourists that come back. This says that they are truly satisfied and that they will visit again.

Reporter: Do you have a message which you would like to convey through us?

E.S. Dato' Nik Mustafa Kamal Bin Nik Ahmad: When you look to the West, don't forget that you have opportunities and friends waiting for you in the East.

Reporter: Thank you!