The Malaysian-owned, Irish-based, engineering group, Kentz International, has formed a strategic alliance with ESB International to pursue international opportunities in the power generation and waste-to-energy sectors, the Tanaiste has announced. In Malaysia, Ms Harney said the alliance was involved in two projects in that country, one involving the recovery, treatment and conversion of palm oil waste into energy, the second providing advanced technology solutions for dealing with industrial waste.

Ms Harney also announced that Kerry Group planned a major investment in its food ingredients business in Johor Bahru in Malaysia, a move that will treble employment at the plant to 150 people. Kerry aims to generate 25 per cent of its sales from the Pacific Rim.