Zamani Abdul Ghani: Malaysia - an investment destination
Speech by Mr Zamani Abdul Ghani, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia, at the
Investors' Conference, Kuala Lumpur, 22 June 2005.
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Bismillahirrahmanirrahim
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamualaikum warahmatullah hiwabarakatuh and good morning,
First of all, allow me to welcome all of you to this conference on "Malaysia: An Investment Destination"
held in conjunction with the 30th IDB Board of Governors' Meeting. We are most heartened that there
are representatives here this morning from more than one hundred global financial institutions and
from over thirty countries. I would like to welcome all of you to Malaysia especially those who are here
for the first time. I hope you have had a good rest after a journey from your respective countries
because we have a very special program waiting for you.
Indeed it is a great honour to be given the privilege to host this historic conference. The theme for the
conference "Malaysia: An Investment Destination" is a fitting choice as we would highlight to you a
wide range of investment opportunities available for you in Malaysia. This theme is most appropriate
given a fast changing global and regional financial landscape, driven by financial liberalization and
consolidation, economic transformation and more discerning and demanding investors.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We will do our best to ensure that this conference will be rewarding and useful for you. Over this
twoday period, we have lined up a panel of distinguished speakers, including the Honourable Prime
Minister of Malaysia himself as well as Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia. The invited speakers are
from various prestigious institutions, domestic and international with unique expertise and
experiences. You can be rest assured that the speakers we are bringing to you are renowned in their
own field and their views are well sought after by global investors and the financial fraternity.
The major highlight of this conference is the keynote address by the Honourable Dato' Seri Abdullah
bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister of Malaysia who is also the Finance Minister. His address
will offer invaluable insights into Malaysia's policy and strategies to sustain its strong growth
performance. The next significant highlight of this conference is a speech by Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Zeti
Akhtar Aziz, the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, who will touch on investment opportunities in
Malaysia in an evolving global environment. This speech is timely given so much interest shown by
both domestic and international investors in the Malaysian economy. Both the Prime Minister and
Governor will offer invaluable insights into strategic orientation of important policies that will chart the
Malaysian economy going forward. Therefore, these are the main events not to be missed.
Of course you should not miss other speakers too! They will touch on various topics according to their
areas of expertise. More importantly, you will get to hear investment opportunities in Malaysia with a
special focus on conventional and Islamic financial institutions products. For selected topis, there will
be workshops for in depth discussions with panel members who are prominent speakers from
industries as well as regulatory bodies. It will be interesting to find out what will transpire in the
workshops that await you.
Ladies and gentlemen,
This Investors Conference is also a gathering of investors, bankers, fund managers, regulators and
industry leaders from Malaysia and the world over. This is an excellent opportunity for you to capitalize
on their presence by networking with them. I am sure you have a lot to gain from their experiences and
first-hand knowledge in their own fields. Furthermore, for information on investment opportunities in
Malaysia, there are 15 exhibition booths from major financial institutions and regulators set up in this
convention centre specifically for you. Please make a point to visit the exhibition booths, which
showcase financial products and services in Malaysia. I am sure these booths have informative
brochures to give out and are more than happy to answer any queries you may have.
There will be a very special event at the end of the second day. Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz,
Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia will launch two new indices - the Citigroup Malaysian Government
Bond Index and Dow Jones - RHB Islamic Malaysia Index. The launching of these indices marks yet
another milestone in the development of the Malaysian capital market. As you are well aware, credible
and transparent indices are very significant market infrastructure to raise the awareness and interest
of investors. This will bode well for our aspiration to broaden and deepen the bond market in Malaysia.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to remind you that both the Day One and Day Two programs promise to be eventful. I
know the very conducive environment for shopping at the Kuala Lumpur City Center or KLCC can be
very tempting for some of us. But please resist that temptation for a while and wait until the conference
is over. Then please, by all means savour the sights and sounds of Malaysia.
On this note, I wish you all a rewarding and productive conference.
Thank you.