KUALA LUMPUR – One of South African countries, Colombia is interested in increasing the billateral cooperation and investment with Malaysia and invites Malaysian companies to invest in palm oil plantation, oil and gas industries in Colombia.

In 2013, the billateral trade; Colombia – Malaysia reached US$ 295 millions, Malaysia exports to Colombia reached $ 189 millions and the import from Colombia just reached US$ 106 millions. But Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Malaysia just reached 0,001 % from the total FDI to Colombia.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Colombia, Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar said, Colombia is interested in inviting Malaysian national oil company, Petronas, to invest in the country.

“In last 10 years, this country has increased in many things, especially in the security. And we have found many sources of oil area. We are producing one million barrel per day and we want Petronas to come, see, and know wheter Petronas wants to invest,” Maria said to Bernama in an interview, Monday (12/1).

Maria thought, Colombia is more competitive in oil and gas sectors rather than other South American. Beside that, Colombia has similar climate with Malaysia for it is near to the Equator which is a benefit to Malaysian palm oil producers to expand the business in South America. (T3)