Malaysian building firms bag RM1m in deals

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): A Malaysian delegation from the construction sector which visited Sri Lanka on Dec 6-7, 2011, has generated RM1 million in sales and an additional RM16.3 million in potential sales are under negotiations.

The mission, which consisted of four companies, was organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade), as a follow-up to a similar on one in 2010.

In a statement on Thursday, Matrade said the mission aimed to explore business opportunities and potential joint collaborations with local companies to contribute to Sri Lanka's construction and infrastructure development programme.

"A total of 35 Sri Lankan companies attended the individual business meeting sessions organised by Matrade with the Malaysian delegation involving a total of 67 meetings.

"One of the key potential areas of interest shown by Sri Lanka was the solar farm project, which could accommodate the increasing demand for alternative power source required by the country," it said.

Matrade's trade commissioner in Chennai, India, Shah Nizam Ahmad, said Sri Lanka offered vast opportunities in the construction and infrastructure sectors since the end of the internal conflict in 2009.

He said reconstruction and upgrading of infrastructure were not only focused on war-stricken areas but right across the country.    

"To date, Malaysian companies have participated in 13 construction projects in Sri Lanka valued at US$365 million," he said. — Bernama