Envoy: Aussies looking at Malaysia favourably
The Star, Malaysia
Envoy: Aussies looking at Malaysia favourably
BY JANE RITIKOS
15 April 2005
KUALA LUMPUR: Australian companies, which previously shied away from Malaysia fearing that political differences between their governments would hinder business, are now looking at the country favourably.
Australian companies had, rightly or wrongly, harboured such worries although firms already operating in Malaysia found it a business-friendly place, said its High Commissioner here, James Wise.
“Among the things that appeal to Australian companies in Malaysia are the similarities, such as contract laws, security commission regulations and common law systems.
“English is also used here, which makes it easy for them to operate here,” he told an audience at the National Press Club here on Thursday.
Wise was speaking on the recent visit to Australia by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He said Abdullah’s visit and a decision to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries would help to narrow the investment imbalance, which is currently in Australia’s favour.
Malaysian investments in that country are worth RM18bil, while Australians had invested less than RM1.5bil in Malaysia.
“Since arriving in Kuala Lumpur over two years ago, I had watched anxiously as Singapore and Thailand concluded FTAs with Australia.
“But I was a little concerned that an opportunity for Malaysia and Australia to strengthen trade and investment links may pass,” he added, describing the recent decision of an FTA between the two countries as “a highlight and a relief”.
Wise said both countries would be able to review the progress of the FTA negotiations, which starts next month, when Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile visits Malaysia in July.
Wise said Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock would be here on April 25 and Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson is expected to be here in July. On Australia’s interest to take part in the East Asian Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December, Wise said his country was happy with the Asean Foreign Ministers’ meeting in the Philippines a few days ago.
On the pending matter pertaining to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC), he said Australia was willing to discuss further with its friends in Asean.
On where Australia placed its importance - its ties with the United States or Asean - Wise said it was not a matter of making a choice but whether Australia could have relations “with both, be part of both or work closely with both.”
He also said despite the political differences during the previous administration under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Australians acknowledged that the former Prime Minister had brought significant economic and social development to Malaysia.
“When he became Prime Minister there were 6,000 Malaysian students in Australia, and when he retired the number was 30,000. Bilateral trade also increased ten-fold,’’ he said.
