KUALA LUMPUR: A recent business delegation of local construction companies to Cambodia and Laos identified US$428mil of building and infrastructure projects in both the countries, a statement from Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) said yesterday.

It said the Specialised Marketing Mission, which was in Phnom Penh and Vientiane from Nov 28 to Dec 2, focused on construction and related services.

The mission was led by Matrade, in collaboration with the Construction Industry Development Board and the Master Builders Association of Malaysia.

Infrastructure, hydropower and construction projects were identified to be among the most promising business opportunities in both countries, said Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin.

He said both the Cambodian and Laotian governments were keen to work with foreign and local companies to develop their countries' infrastructure needs through Public- Private Partnership programmes.

Citing the example of the US$2bil Greater Mekong Subregion projects in Cambodia and the US$5.2bil hydro power sector plan in Laos over the next five years, he said both countries were projecting positive economic growth and vibrant outlook for their development plans.

- Bernama