Najib seeks to expand BN’s network in UK
LONDON: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is on a networking mission to raise the coalition’s profile in the UK. The Prime Minister will be launching the UK chapter of ‘Friends of Barisan Nasional’ affiliate comprising Barisan-friendly associates from Britain at the House of Lords Monday. The non-profit charitable organisation here seeks to serve as a platform for UK-based Malaysians as well as foreign individuals and organisations keen on supporting and working with Barisan.
Several senior British politicians will be attending the launch in support of the new establishment, among others, Lord Howell of Guildford, Lord Astor of Hever, Lord Sheikh of Cornhill, MP for Northampton South Brian Binley and MP for Stone Bill Cash.
The movement may come under the banner of Barisan Nasional but it seeks to gather and forge trade, investment and business opportunities and economic integration between Malaysian and the Britsh business communities. It seeks to promote a more co-ordinated and coherent market conditions for UK companies in Malaysia and for Malaysian companies in the UK.
The Prime Minister, also on a working visit to the UK to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding and a strategic joint venture agreement between Felda Global Ventures (FGVH) and two British commodity firms at the Malaysian High Commission today.
Later in the evening, Najib will be attending a luncheon with Malaysians based in the UK at IndigO2, a 2400-capacity event hall at Greenwich. According to the Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK Datuk Seri Zakaria Sulong, the evening is purpose to be a good opportunity for Najib to meet Malaysians from all walks of life based in the UK.
“According to World Bank numbers, there are at least 70,000 Malaysians based in the UK. We hope that Malaysian Londoners as well as those based in the UK will take this opportunity to meet our Prime Minister as well as to forge closer ties among themselves,” Zakaria said in a press conference on Sunday.
- The Star
