Malaysia will continue to implement investment-friendly policies and provide a conducive investment climate, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said in Tokyo today.

In this regard, he urged Japanese investors to explore investment opportunities in diverse sectors in Malaysia.

Najib outlined possible investment areas in the growing halal industry, the Greater Kuala Lumpur development and the economic corridors of the northern region and in Sabah.

The prime minister said this when delivering his keynote address at the official opening of the 32nd Conference of the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (Majeca) and the Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (Jameca) joint conference at the Imperial Hotel in the Japanese capital.

'Be a partner in our transformation programmes'

The prime minister said: "I invite you to be a partner in our transformation programmes as we look to join ranks with the developed nations by the end of this decade."

Najib arrived in Tokyo yesterday morning for a four-day working visit. Topping his tight schedule is the 40th Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit.

The prime minister said Japan has been Malaysia's largest foreign direct investor since the 1980s.

Last year, approved investments in the manufacturing sector alone totalled US$1 billion, said Najib, who is also the finance minister.

He said Japanese companies have made a strong contribution to Malaysia's infrastructure development especially in the automotive sector, renewable energy, green and biotechnology industries.

"These are exciting times for our nations as we work to transform our economies. In Malaysia, our transformation is underpinned by the New Economic Model.

"In Japan, Abenomics is providing the necessary impetus for change," he added.

- Bernama