Malaysian service providers pitch for deals in Uganda

KUALA LUMPUR: In its maiden effort to increase the export of services, which has been in a decline, Malaysian Incorporated Services Bhd (Malaysian Inc) yesterday facilitated a seminar for about 20 professional service providers on possible participation in a proposed mixed development project in Uganda.
The half-day seminar organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) saw a presentation by Uganda Minister of State for Urban Development Musumba Isaac of the planned Kampala Eco-Satellite City project, proceeded by a pitching exercise by the Malaysian service providers.
The Malaysian companies included APUDG Sdn Bhd, AJM Sdn Bhd, EEC Sdn Bhd, MCM Sdn Bhd and KLCC Projeks Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of KLCC Property Holdings Bhd. These companies offer various services such as town planning, architecture, engineering, environmental planning, project management, developers, contractors and quantity surveying.
The seminar follows Malaysian Inc's presentation to Uganda High Commissioner Stephen Mubiru on June 14, which led the Uganda government through its Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development to offer 1,000ha of forest land for the development of a satellite city as part of Ugandan Vision 2040 development programme.
Located in Mukono District, the Kampala Eco-Satellite City is expected to have housing and amenities such as schools and hospitals. Isaac said plans for the proposed project are expected to be finalised within the next two years.
Launched in April 2016, Malaysian Inc is the brainchild of the National Professional Services Export Council and comprises Malaysian professionals from multiple disciplines in the services sector such as architecture and engineering.
Matrade CEO Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said Malaysian service providers are well recognised in the global market and in Africa, which is Malaysia's top emerging market.
"Among the successful projects by Malaysians in Africa are in the areas of road construction, development of residential and golf courses, higher education, bio metric projects, plantations, manufacturing and petroleum projects," he said yesterday.
Matrade, which also acts as Malaysian Inc's facilitator, aims to increase the export of Malaysian professional services in order to diversify export revenues in the midst of a challenging economic environment.
Thus far most of Matrade-facilitated business matching and trade mission programmes have focused on the export of products.
During the launch of Malaysian Inc in April, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Malaysia's trade in the services sector had been in deficit since 2010. Last year, exports amounted to RM135.66 billion while imports amounted to RM156.14 billion.
Government initiatives such as the Services Export Fund and the introduction of Services Export Blueprint last year are expected to drive the growth of Malaysia's export in services.