Melaka targets RM500 mln investments from Expo 2020 Dubai-Melaka week

MELAKA: The Melaka government is aiming for RM500 million worth of investments from the Expo 2020 Dubai-Melaka Week in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting from March 13.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali said 11 agencies and government-linked companies will join the state's trade mission to the expo, among them Invest Melaka, Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (M-Wez), Melaka Development Corporation (PKNM), Tourism Melaka, and Melaka Green Technology Corporation.

Sixteen small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also going to promote their products.

"Melaka is one of the states given a special slot by the Ministry of Science and Technology to join the expo in the 24th week. The state's economic planning unit will be appointed the main secretariat for the Expo 2020 Dubai-Melaka Week and assisted by Invest Melaka and the Malaysia Investment Development Board," the chief minister told reporters in a pre-launch ceremony for Expo 2020 Dubai-Melaka Week.

He revealed that the state government has planned for eight forum and business talk sessions, five signings of memorandum of understanding (MOU) as well as 30 business match-ups during the expo week.

The full launch of the Expo 2020 Dubai-Melaka Week will be held on March 13 in the Malaysia Pavilion at the expo.

Sulaiman said he is also scheduled to visit pavilions from other countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Sweden.

"I will be having discussions and visits to the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, Dubai Global Village Management and several prominent companies in the UAE.

"The Expo 2020 Dubai-Melaka Week programme is based on Melaka's vision of a sustainable state that focuses on the Melaka Sustainable Development Roadmap, guided by 17 sustainable development goals," he said.

He added that besides the Melakaku Maju Jaya Strategic Plan 2035, the state has launched a new mission called TERAS, which encompasses the elements of technology, entrepreneurship, industrial and economic revolution, international and wellbeing.

-- BERNAMA