Against a backdrop of heightened tension in the Middle East and US threats to strike Iraq, Malaysian carmaker Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional (Proton) plans to ship 5,000 units of 1.5-liter Wira sedan to the besieged Saddam Hussein, Malaysian Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz told the local press.
The shipment, due by August 2003, coincides with negotiations over to participation of Malaysia’s state-owned Petronas in various oil and gas projects in Iraq, including the development of Ratawi oilfield and exploration in the Western Desert. In 2000, Malaysia's national carmaker Proton signed a $28.67 million deal to export 5,000 cars to Iraq, under the UN oil-for-food program. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
