KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's participation in the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) has increased its trade with Islamic countries to US$45.8 billion in 2014 from US$18.5 billion in 2005.

Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said joint-venture projects sealed by Malaysian companies during the conference from 2008 to 2014 amounted to RM39.2 billion.

"WIEF provides an effective platform for Malaysia to play its role as a leader in Islamic countries in the international stage for various issues, including education and the role of women," he said in his written reply to a question by Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) today.

Noraini wanted to know the effectiveness of Malaysia's participation in WIEF in encouraging trade cooperation with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries and non-Islamic countries.

Mustapa said WIEF has been successful to connect global business community including from non Muslim countries and intensified trade promotion in certain sectors such as the halal industry.

-- BERNAMA