General News of Friday, 18 October 2002

Source: BERNAMA

Tourism Attractions Can Draw Ghanaians To Sarawak - Envoy

KUCHING, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Sarawak's culture, adventure and nature tourism attractions can draw vistors from Ghana, says Malaysia's new high commissioner to the West African nation, Muhammad Alias.

"Likewise, investors from Sarawak can visit Ghana and tap potentials in its agriculture and fishing industry," Muhammad told Bernama after calling on Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin here Friday.

He said farmers in Sarawak who aspire to go big could learn from Ghana, one of the world's top cocoa growing and exporting country.

"Investors from other states in Malaysia can also look at their involvement in developing the fish canning industry in Ghana," he said.

Muhammad, who is going to Ghana after a three-year stint as Malaysia's consul general in Los Angeles, said his biggest task ahead was to enhance trade relations between Malaysia and the African nation.

"We want to build back the confidence of several Malaysian companies like TV3 and Telekom who had earlier withdrawn their investments from Ghana," he said.

Expressing confidence that he would be able work closely with the Ghanaian government, he said: "The fact that English is the spoken language there would help speed up communications.".

Muhammad said there are about 300 Malaysians in Ghana.