Land of Grace beckons

These are the times of hard sell. Regions, nations, states and even cities are competing with each other hard selling their attractive profiles for investments from tourism to information technology.

The last time one has heard of Ipoh in Malaysia was when the Indian hockey team won the Sultan Azlan Shah trophy years ago. Here's more to the place.

The city is located in the prosperous State of Perak in the country. Touted as the `Land of Grace', Perak has a potpourri mix of Indians, Malayans, Chinese and others in its population.

The land is known for its varied historical complexes, wildlife, recreational parks, beach resorts and shopping centres in the districts of Tengah, Manjung, Larut, Matang, Kinta and others - facilities which are said to be tourists' dream.

Perak foresees itself as an ideal location for the `ICE' (Information, communication & entertainment industry) units to prosper and what better destination than the cities of Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore to look out for in South India. A delegation of Perak Government and private sector executives was here for a `Perak Mart' in the last few days to promote two main twin areas - `ICT & Tourism'.

``We wish to put Perak into the mainstream of ICT development both as users and producers of the IT industry. We do acknowledge the advancement made in this field here and want to explore business potential,'' says Dato' G. Rajoo, Perak State Executive Counsellor of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and Unity and heading the delegation.

Once known to be a tin producer, the State has a quality digital and fibre optic backbone ideally suited for the IT sector. Perak, the team says, has good infrastructure, transportation and is strategically located for getting access to the international markets. And, more.

Rajoo points out to the ``unspoilt natural beauty'' of the State which our film industry can make good use of. ``We want to part of your renowned industry.'' In fact, the backdrops of the Hollywood film `Anna and the King' was shot in the virgin locales of the limestone hills, lakes and the lush terrain, he informs. Interested filmwallahs can get in touch with the Malaysian High Commission at `mwndelhi@del2.vsnl.net.in' or `mwmadras@vsnl.com.'

By V. Geetanath

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