Britain's minister visits Malaysia

Britain's minister visits Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): British Chancellor of the Exchequer Kenneth Clarke is due to arrive on Malaysia's Penang island today, the second senior British official to visit Malaysia since it lifted a ban on British business in September.

Clarke's five-day visit signals a further thaw in relations between Britain and its former colony, which for nearly seven months banned awarding government contracts to British firms in retaliation for British news reports alleging Anglo-Malaysian trade was tainted with corruption.

The British finance minister will meet Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other senior ministers and financial industry officials.

Clarke will be accompanied by eight key British financiers, including the head of the London Stock Exchange, and will take part in roundtable talks with Malaysian financiers during his stay.