Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 30/08/2002
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF MALAYSIA
DEBT VENTURES BERHAD
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
I would like to thank the Board of Directors and
the management of Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV)
for their gracious invitation. It is a privilege for me
to address this gathering on this auspicious occasion,
where Asia's first ever scheme for project debt
financing is officially launched. This occasion is
especially significant because the setting up of
Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad augments the good and
faithful relations between Malaysia and Japan.
2. This commitment towards good relations between our
two nations is most timely since the generous helping
hand of the Government of Japan comes at a time when
the global economic outlook is uncertain. We are
grateful that the Japanese government, through the
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has
extended a loan agreement totaling USD420 million
(RM1.6 billion), to the Government of Malaysia.
3. I am glad to note that this groundbreaking project
debt financing will be the test-bed for innovative
financial solutions for ICT and high-growth sector
technology companies in Asia and emerging market
countries. I believe the loan will prove a useful means
to provide much-needed financing for companies involved
in the ICT and high growth sectors to undertake
projects to develop innovative solutions and products.
4. Malaysians have always admired the Japanese spirit
of innovation. Never before has this spirit been more
needed than in the field of ICT and, more recently, in
the life sciences and biotechnology. This can only
happen in an atmosphere of global peace and economic
stability.
5. The ICT and biotechnology sectors require
entrepreneurs who not only possess relevant educational
qualifications, but also are imbued with a natural
sense of adventure, are innovative and creative and are
willing to face failures and setbacks.
6. While Malaysians celebrate the 45th year of
Independence from colonial rule, young Malaysians born
in the freedom and prosperity of an independent
Malaysia have been fortunate to have never experienced
the humiliation and sufferings of their forefathers.
7. They have grown up in a free country - free from
colonial rule, free from fear, free from hunger, free
from ignorance and free from humiliation. These young
Malaysians can now walk with their head held high,
facing the world with dignity.
8. They are the reason why we established the
Multimedia Super Corridor, a project for the future
which will benefit the future generation most of all.
9. Malaysia's success in the ICT sector and the
emerging biotechnology sector will depend on the
cravings for challenges that reside within our local
entrepreneurs. I am confident that the user-friendly
financing facility offered by Malaysia Debt Ventures
will help in the achievement of success for their
enterprises.
10. It is this "hunger" for success that will drive
Malaysian entrepreneurs to come up with new ideas and
to be innovative as well as creative in any field they
dare to venture. To our young Malaysians out there, I
say "You need to be daring enough to push the limits of
the envelope, to go beyond the horizon. You just might
discover something new that can do the nation proud!"
11. The nation has learnt much from the experience of
the MSC and with the impending development of the Bio-
Valley, we believe Malaysia is well on the way towards
bridging the international information and digital
divide.
12. Every year, the Malaysian Government allocates a
substantial amount towards the development of ICT in
the country. In the 8th Malaysia Plan, a total of RM7
billion has been allocated for the ICT sector.
13. The emphasis that the government places on ICT,
and now biotechnology, is not decided upon arbitrarily.
Financing is a major hurdle for local enterprises and
we realise that for this sector to grow, the local
financial industry must also respond proactively.
14. We realise that traditional financial institutions
including banks and venture capital firms are working
at their own pace in providing the financial support
required by various ICT companies. With the setting up
of Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad, armed with the RM1.6
billion-loan facility provided by the Government of
Japan, those companies, which successfully secure high
value-added ICT businesses and contracts can now access
this ample fund and grow at a much faster pace.
15. It heartens me to know that Malaysia Debt Ventures
Berhad can provide not only an alternative source of
financing that meets the cash strapped entrepreneurs
halfway but also complementing the other financing
offered by banks and Venture Capitals. Collateral to
secure a loan is flexible and only requires contracts,
personal or corporate guarantees, Letter of Credit,
Intellectual Property Rights and assignment of
receivables.
16. The Japanese Government has kindly provided us
with this loan facility and I hope Malaysia Debt
Ventures Berhad and more importantly the recipients of
the fund, will take full responsibility and be
accountable for the fund. Maintaining transparency and
professionalism are important. Success does not come
easy on a silver platter. Success can only be achieved
through hard work and perseverance.
17. The good news is that MDV also aims to transfer
knowledge to local financial institutions and ICT
companies to enable them to be self-sustaining. As an
active financial institution, it is my hope that MDV
will venture beyond giving out loans but also seek out
companies in need of financing as well as initiate ICT
projects in the public and private sectors.
18. I am confident that this practice of good
corporate governance, even in the early stages of
business, will certainly go far towards promoting
investor confidence while instilling discipline and
accountability among entrepreneurs.
19. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Board
of Directors and Management of Malaysia Debt Ventures
Berhad on their untiring efforts to bring greater
meaning to the Government's initiatives. My
congratulations also to Mr. Jiro Suzuki and his team
for their tenacity and vigour towards ensuring the
success of today's event.
20. On that note, I am pleased to officially launch
Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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