The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalulail, met a group of leading Australian business people at a luncheon meeting here on Tuesday, inviting them to invest in his small but vibrant state.

The Raja Muda, who was accompanied by the State Executive Councillor for Trade and Investment, Datuk Seri Diraja Syed Razlan Syed Putra Jamalullail, said Perlis offered special industrial incentive packages for investors which were lucrative and with a competitive cost of doing business.

He outlined key strategic investment opportunities and how Perlis would provide investment facilitation.
Speaking to Bernama, the Raja Muda was enthusiastic about the development of the Perlis Halal Park covering 40.46 hectares (100) acres in Padang Besar.

The development of the Inland Clearance Depot in Padang Besar was also high on his priority list. This project will facilitate the smooth movement of containers at the Malaysia-Thai border.

Another project close to the Raja Muda's heart is the development of Ulu Pauh Hi-Tech Park that will focus on green and hi-tech industries.

He said there were huge opportunities for investment in the tourism sector in Perlis.

"There are many incentives being offered by the government to attract foreign investors in the tourism industry, such as hotels and recreational projects," he added.

Perlis is within the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle which was set up to accelerate economic growth in the three neighbouring countries with a combined population of about 67.7 million.

Perlis has also easy access to other Asean countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia.

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin said he was delighted to meet Australian business people and professionals, while encouraged by their show of support.

Also present at the lunch was the Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia, Datuk Salman Ahmad, the Australia Malaysia Business Council President, Larry Gould, the Malaysian Consul General here, Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya and senior partners of accounting firm, Pitcher Partners who hosted it.

The Raja Muda was here at the invitation of barrister William Lye, Chair of Asia Practice, Commerical Bar Association of Victoria, who is developing a new focus on Australia-Malaysia bilateral trade and investment.

The Crown Prince has fond memories of Melbourne, having spent several years here as a secondary and university student, graduating with a degree in economics .