Malaysian Sports, Medical Studies May Get Jamaican Boost

KINGSTON, May 2 (Bernama) -- Jamaica has only 10 per cent of Malaysia's population but this Caribbean island nation may be the new source of expertise for Malaysians in at least two fields -- sports and medical studies.
This will be the focus of discussions between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who arrives here Tuesday for a two-day official visit, and his Jamaican counterpart Portia Simpson-Miller.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said Jamaica could give Malaysian sports, especially athletics, a big boost as it had been
producing some of the world's top sprinters.
"There is a lot that we can learn from Jamaica in sports, especially athletics. And the University of West Indies (UWE) here has an established Medical Faculty that could be a new source for Malaysians to study medicine," he told Malaysian journalists here ahead of the Prime Minister's arrival.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied on the visit by Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.
"This visit is significant because it is the first foreign delegation to be received by Simpson-Miller since she became Prime Minister just a month ago," Salang said.
The visit is at the invitation of former Prime Minister Percival James Patterson who left office at the end of March after 14 years in power.
Salang said Malaysia was always looking to increase places for its medical students given the growing demand and the UWE could meet this need, coupled with the fact that English is Jamaica's official language.
He said the two leaders would also discuss possible participation of Malaysian companies in the infrastructure development, especially highways, and tourism facilities in Jamaica.
Tourism is Jamaica's top foreign exchange earner with annual tourist arrivals of 2.5 million, almost equalling its population of 2.7 million.