Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SUNGAI BESI, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 14/10/97
Tajuk/Title : THE TECHEXCHANGE 97
(Delivered by Y.B. Datuk Chong Kah Kiat)
1. This exhibition marks an important milestone in the
history of Malaysia and Russian relations in terms of
further strengthening of the existing friendship between
the two nations and enhancing technology transfers aimed
at increasing investment and business opportunities.
2. With modern transportation and telecommunications,
the distance between Russia and Malaysia is now relatively
near. Moscow is just a mere phone call away from Kuala
Lumpur. Modern technology such as teleconferencing has
eliminated the need to physically travel a great distance
to meet each other. With further advancements in
information technology the cost and ease of use of such
systems will certainly be better.
3. It is hoped that Russia will not only find Malaysia
attractive in terms of trade and investment but would also
take advantage of the tourism potential it has to offer.
4. For the period between 1981 and up to July 1997,
Japan, Taiwan and the United States respectively
constitute the top three investors in manufacturing in
Malaysia with investments totalling RM28 billion, RM21
billion and RM16 billion respectively.
5. However, investments made by the Russian Federation
in the Malaysian manufacturing sector is small. For the
period 1981 to up to July 1997 the Russian Federation had
invested a total of RM22.7 million in Malaysia, ranking
it as the 37th largest investor in Malaysia.
6. Although total exports to Russia increased from
RM97.72 million in 1993 to RM284.6 million in 1996 and
RM110.17 million for the period of January-July 1997,
total imports also increased substantially from RM155.46
million in 1993 to RM667.88 in 1996 and RM434.68 for the
period of January-July 1997.
7. The major export items to the Russian Federations
include television receivers, sound recorders, natural
rubber, office machines, telecommunication equipment,
cocoa, palm oil and vegetable oils.
8. Manufactured fertilisers, iron and steel, base metal
ores, aluminium, zinc, edible products, cotton and pulp
constituted the major items of import from the Russian
Federation during the same period.
9. Trade between Malaysia and Russia intensified
significantly in 1994 with the purchase of 18 MIG-29
fighter jets exceeding RM1 billion. Technology transfer
was arranged through the offset programme to enable
Malaysian companies, R&D agencies as well as institutes of
higher education to receive training in the aircraft,
avionics as well as aerospace sector.
10. Bilateral trade and cooperation between Malaysia and
Russia is in consonance with the emphasis that Malaysia is
putting in terms of developing several strategies sectors
which have been identified in Malaysia's 5-year
development plans, First and Second Industrial Master
Plans and Vision 2020.
11. It is recognised that Russia is among one of the few
developed nations which have acquired and achieved the
status of a technological powerhouse.
12. Malaysians must take the opportunity offered by this
exhibition to update their knowledge on the state-of-the-
art and latest achievements in Russian technology as well
as the latest development in Eastern Europe. If we are to
succeed in our strive to become a fully industrialised
country, then we must have more partners and suppliers to
reduce our sole dependence on certain industrialised
countries' technology. Partnership with Russia will
certainly assist to expand and enrich our technology as
well as create more techno-entrepreneurs. Such rare
opportunities should not be missed.
13. Malaysians must also take this opportunity to update
themselves on the advanced and frontier technologies
development wherever appropriate and incorporate these to
gain the competitive edge for their organisations and the
nation.
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