24 Jan 2002
Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell today began a two day visit to Malaysia aimed at boosting trade, tourism and educational and cultural links between Scotland and Malaysia.
Her itinerary includes meetings with three members of Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahatir’s Cabinet: Datuk Seri Rafidah (Minister for International Trade), Tan Sri Musa (Minister for Education), and Datuk Amar Leo Moggie (Minister for Energy, Communications and Multimedia). Mrs Liddell will also meet Malaysian students and representatives from Malaysian business.
Speaking during her visit, Mrs Liddell said:
"I am here to strengthen the ties with the UK but particularly to forge new lasting links with Scotland. Scottish people, and their descendants, have made an extraordinary contribution to all walks of life around the globe because we have been outward-looking and enterprising.
"Around the world there is an immensely rich seam of goodwill toward Scotland. I believe that seam can be tapped for our benefit – to boost trade, tourism, industry and educational links by telling the ‘Friends of Scotland’ here and across the globe about our vision for a modern, prosperous, outward-looking and caring Scotland within the UK. After all, our history as a trading nation encouraged cultural, social and academic exchanges that still continue today.
"Strengthening educational links between Malaysia and Scotland is vital in fostering closer co-operation between us. Scotland has had much success in attracting students to Scottish Universities, including my own place of study, the University of Strathclyde. Malaysia is a priority market in our Prime Minister’s world-wide campaign to attract more international students to the UK. We hope that also means more for Scotland.
"Scotland’s trading links with Malaysia are also getting stronger, but there is still scope for increasing bilateral trade. Scottish manufactured exports to Malaysia have risen each year from £71 million in 1998 to £112 million in 2000. £12 million of that was whisky, but radio, television and communications equipment is by far our largest export, worth £70 million in 2000. I hope that my visit, together with the efforts of the British Consulate and Trade Partners UK, can encourage that upward trend to continue."
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. Around 10,000 Malaysian students are at UK institutions. 18,000 students are on joint programmes in Malaysia, involving over 150 Malaysian colleges. Around 7,000 Malaysian students are studying through UK distance learning programmes.
2. The High Commission and British Council will shortly set up a network for the alumni of UK universities including many Scottish Universities though a website which will enable all Malaysians with UK qualifications to network with each other and download information about the UK.
3. Up to and including October 2001, Malaysian exports to the UK were £1,728.6m (RM9,507.3m). British exports to Malaysia were £892.9m (RM4,910.9m) up 19.9 per cent.
4. Between 1990 and 1999 Britain invested £2,983m (RM16,406.5m) in Malaysia. In 1999 (latest year for figures) investment was around £200m (RM1,05.5m). These figures do not include the new joint venture between Tesco Plc/ Sime Darby with investment of £215m (RM1,182.5m) which will establish a chain of supermarkets around Malaysia. The first store opened in 2001.
5. The Secretary of State launched the Friends of Scotland initiative at a reception at the Banqueting Hall London on 27 November 2001.The initiative has the backing of VisitScotland and Scottish Development International. The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the First Minister have all lent their support.