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.