A delegation from Penang, the silicon valley of Malaysia, is to visit Dublin on October 14th-15th, led by the chief minister of Penang, the Hon Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, with a view to developing Ireland as a gateway to Europe for Malaysian companies. The delegation will include two state ministers, Y B Dato Sak Cheng Lum and YB Mr Azhar Ibrahim, and Malaysian business executives representing 14 companies seeking contact with potential Irish partners. "Ireland has strong linkages with Malaysia, which is now our number one market in the Asean region, accounting for 43 per cent of total Irish exports," said Mr Anthony Courtney, Irish Trade Board representative in Kuala Lumpur.