He said there were at least 270 French companies in Malaysia with an investment value of RM15 billion doing business in the manufacturing, services and finance sectors, among others.
“France is a country with a huge investment in Malaysia and which is also a superpower.
“Hence, this partnership will further enhance our business relationship.
“It will at the same time improve Malaysia’s profile in the energy sector,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of six memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two governments here today.
Mustapa said frequent contact between Malaysia and France had resulted in profitable bilateral outcomes, and that his ministry continued to engage with French companies in the country.
Hollande arrived in Malaysia last night and is scheduled to leave for Jakarta tonight.
Mustapa said Malaysia had of late received important visitors from all over the world who were interested in forging business partnerships. They included Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma and King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
“This is a reflection of the confidence foreign companies have in Malaysia. As such, we expect foreign investments to increase,” he said.
Among those who signed the MoUs today were French company Electricite de France and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, which inked a two-year deal to share and exchange administration, management and technical knowledge in the energy sector.
French Group Engie, a global energy player, and Sime Darby Bhd also signed an MoU to jointly develop business opportunities in solar energy and high-end, state-of-the-art integrated facilities management services.
A unit of the French group Engie Services inked an MoU with Sime Darby for a joint venture in Malaysia, aimed at providing technical and facility management services in the field of energy efficiency.
The Malaysian and French governments also signed an MoU to enhance small and medium enterprises and innovative start-ups.
The MoU was signed between Bpifrance and PlaTCOM Ventures.
Air Liquide and Invest KL signed an MoU to support the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, and Prestariang and Thales Malaysia signed the sixth MoU.
France is Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner among European Union countries.
Total trade between Malaysia and France in 2016 increased by 6.3% to RM15.23 billion. Malaysia’s exports to France amounted to RM5.75 billion while imports stood at RM9.49 billion.