This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on February 7, 2018 - February 13, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) continues to express its interest in participating in infrastructure projects in Malaysia, particularly in the transportation and power generation segments.

“Infrastructure is all the rage,” AIIB president and chair Jin Liqun told a press conference held at the World Capital Market Symposium. “Certainly, we would be interested in identifying infrastructure projects in this country,” Jin said, adding that the bank is keen to fund similar projects overseas by Malaysian companies as well.

“Malaysia is certainly eligible for the bank’s financing and I believe Malaysia has very good infrastructure projects. Given Malaysian companies’ capacities, we could probably work together to support [the] infrastructure in neighbouring countries and other parts of the world.

“We hope Malaysian companies or consultant firms will actively participate in international competitive bids,” said Jin.

AIIB, he said, focuses on transportation-related developments that will improve connectivity between Malaysia and neighbouring countries as well as power generation, among others. 

“Malaysia co-founded the development bank by investing US$109.5 million for its paid-up capital alongside 56 other nations in 2016. AIIB’s membership has since risen to 84 countries.”