Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : THE PUTRA WORLD TRADE CENTRE,
KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 06/06/88
Tajuk/Title : THE OPENING OF THE 11TH JOINT
ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF
MAJECA - JAMECA
Y.M. Raja Tan Sri Mohar Bin Raja Badiozaman,
President of MAJECA;
Mr. Masami Ishii,
President of JAMECA;
Honourable Guests;
Distinguished Delegates;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is my pleasure and privilege to be given the
opportunity to address this distinguished gathering of
industrialists, bankers and businessmen from Japan and
Malaysia on the occasion of the 11th Joint Annual Conference
of MAJECA-JAMECA. The two Associations were set up in order
to assist Malaysia and Japan in their efforts to foster
greater friendship and promote better economic relations
between the two countries. Eleven years have passed and I
am pleased to note that the two Associations have grown from
strength to strength. Both Associations have played a very
positive role in promoting trade and investment between our
two countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
2. The relationship between Malaysia and Japan has become
the cornerstone of Malaysia's progress towards economic
diversification. It has been strongly cemented through
trade and investment. I am happy to observe that the last
ten years saw a tremendous spurt in bilateral trade between
Malaysia and Japan and the continued inflow of Japanese
direct investments, technology transfers as well as loan
assistance to Malaysia. This growth in trade and
investments has been achieved in an environment of close and
harmonious economic relations between our two countries. My
congratulations to MAJECA and JAMECA for taking it upon
themselves to foster friendship and understanding between
the private sectors of the two countries. Your activities
have transformed policies and expressions of friendship into
meaningful realities.
3. The Malaysian Government has always given support to
your Associations and your activities. We believe that
there are still tremendous opportunities for even greater
economic and trade co-operation between Malaysia and Japan.
I would urge both MAJECA and JAMECA to continue to play this
supportive role in furthering the development of trade and
economic relations between Malaysia and Japan for our mutual
benefit.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. After three years of depressed conditions the Malaysian
economy has begun to show distinct signs of recovery.
Business outlook is improving and many sectors of the
economy are expected to show strong performances during the
rest of 1988 and 1989.
5. Last year the Malaysian economy recorded a real growth
of 4.7% in comparison with 1.2% in 1986. For 1988, it is
projected that real GDP will grow at more than 5%. The
satisfactory recovery of the economy in 1987 was basically a
reflection of the high rate of growth in three major sectors
of the economy: agriculture, manufacturing and services.
Overall value-added in manufacturing grew at 12% in 1987,
following strong external demand for electronics, rubber
goods, timber products, textiles and wearing apparels.
Output growth recorded during the second half of 1987 in
several manufacturing industries indicate steady progress in
business activities and a bright outlook during the first
half of 1988. The indications are that the Malaysian
economy is poised for accelerated growth.
6. I would like to emphasise again that the Malaysian
Government is committed to a programme of rapid
industrialisation. With a rapidly growing and well-educated
population we need industries to create the necessary job
opportunities. Agriculture, forestry and primary
industries cannot provide sufficient job opportunities even
though there is still room for expansion and diversification
in these areas. To industrialise we need foreign expertise
both in manufacturing as well as marketing. We hope that
the close cooperation fostered by MAJECA-JAMECA will enable
more manufacturing joint ventures to be set up. Eventually
as Malaysians acquire greater technological and marketing
know-how, locally-based industries will be started and will
grow in the way Japanese industries grow.
7. The prospects are good for this progress to be made.
But Malaysians must learn also some of the philosophy of the
Japanese; in particular the need to move step by step. We
...7/- may telescope
the process as we are in a hurry to catch up. But the step
by step approach is necessary if we are to gain fully from
our experiences. I would suggest that MAJECA-JAMECA, which
frequently discuss problems obstructing investments and
trade, should also devote some time to discussions on ethics
and business philosophy of Malaysians and Japanese.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. Japan and Malaysia are geographically fairly close to
each other. By jet the flight time is only 6 hours. Yet
frequently we are misinformed about each other. We are
dependent far too much on the western controlled media.
The controlled western media practise
censorship which distorts the image of countries like
Malaysia. Time and time again I have been told by foreign
businessmen that they are surprised at what they see and
experience in Malaysia. It is not at all as they pictured
it from what they read or saw on television.
9. With Japanese manufacturers looking abroad to resite
their factories, it is necessary that knowledge about
Malaysia be based on factual reports without censorship.
MAJECA-JAMECA can help here by prevailing upon the Japanese
press to stop relying on tendentious reports by the western
media. Better coverage by the Japanese media through
reporters stationed here would reduce distortions.
10. We are not saying that Malaysia is totally free from
problems. With a multiracial, multireligious population
only a miracle can free us from problems. But by comparison,
Malaysia is more democratic and more stable than many
other developing countries. Those who have been here for
a long time can testify to the fact that their investments
have never been threatened. Indeed, repeated expansion can
only be due to their faith in Malaysia. Matsushita which
has been here for over 20 years and has invested over half
a billion ringgit in seven companies, with the prospect of
two more being set up in the near future, should convince
Japanese investors that reports about Malaysia's instability
are just propaganda by people with vested interest.
11. Clearly the problems faced by Malaysia do not affect the
investment climate or even the economic health of the
country. For many years in the 70's and early 80's economic
growths of 8% were achieved. While growth was slowed down
and even reversed during the world recession, recent
recovery shows that the fundamental structure and
administration of the economy remains sound. There should
therefore be no reason for anxiety over the future
of Malaysia. The post-independence history of the country
shows a consistency of policy and predictability which
should satisfy the most cautious of investors.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
12. Bilateral trade and economic commissions are now very
common between countries with economic links. But such
official commissions are often quite formal
in their relations. On the other hand MAJECA and JAMECA are
unofficial in character and feel quite free to criticise
official policies and procedures in both countries. This
has resulted in very open discussions which in turn have
helped highlight many problems and the possible solutions to
them. I would like to congratulate the two organisations
and their enduring relations. I hope you will continue your
good work for the economic and social benefit of our two
countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
13. In conclusion I wish this Conference successful
deliberations and I now have much pleasure in
declaring open the 11th Joint Annual Conference of MAJECA
and JAMECA.
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