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Malaysians to invest in energy sector

Aug 19, 2010, 11:57 AM | Article By: Alieu O. Jabang

The seemingly unending power shortage experienced by the country will soon be history, if the words of Malaysian investors currently in the country are any guide.

Malaysian investors, who arrived in Banjul on Tuesday, are said to be eyeing investment in the country's energy sector.

"We will invest in the area of power, and will try to expand the power industry in the country. With the support of our partners here in The Gambia, we can expand the power sector. We came with our engineers and technicians," Mohd Zaini Nordin, a Malaysian investor accompanied by his engineers told reporters, shortly after their arrival at Banjul International Airport.

When asked for the reason of choosing to invest in The Gambia, the Malaysian investor said he came to invest in The Gambia due to the friendliness of the Gambian people, and not only for big gains.

"We are motivated by the Gambian hospitality and friendliness to foreigners, especially in business. In business many people look at the profit-making only, but with us, it is a different case. We consider the people's approach and the environment. I was here about one and half year ago. I know the people are friendly and hospitable, and so we will invest," he said.

The Gambia's Ambassador to Qatar, Ansumana Jammeh, was at the airport to receive the Malaysians, and lauded the initiative, noting that it will be very helpful to Gambians in many forms.

"This will make a huge impact on the economy, because it will create employment for Gambians. It will also solve the power shortage problem in the country, as it will regularise our power supply. With a boost in the power supply, more investors will be attracted to invest in The Gambia. Power supply is very important in the development of every economy," he said.

Ambassador Jammeh added that they are working hand-in-hand with NAWEC, and that they have submitted all the documents that they need to send to them.

He thanked all those who in one way or the other made the investors attracted to The Gambia, citing President Jammeh, in particular, and the government of The Gambia for the peaceful trend that they continue to guide this country through. Peace, he added, "is an instrument that we all need to succeed."

Present at the airport was Ebrima JT Kujabi, The Gambia's ambassador at large.