The dialogue with Asean and Japan trade ministers and the Federation of Japanese Chambers of Commerce and Industry

(FJCCIA) is proceeding as usual despite the city being on a lockdown.

"This was planned four months ago and all the delegates confirmed are attending the dialogue," said International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.

"I will give a short briefing to the delegates about the current situation later and the police is just taking pre-emptive measures to ensure security is maintained in the city centre," he told Bernama .

He said the police was giving more than adequate protection to ensure the smooth proceedings of the dialogue.

Police personnel are being stationed throughout the hotel with auxillary policemen and traffic police on standby.

Checks by Bernama also revealed that hotels in the city centre did not want to take chances of having their operations disrupted by the rally and provided accomodation for their staff.

Today, it is anticipated that 140 FJCCIA delegates will attend the fourth annual dialogue being held back-to-back with a symposium on 'Enhancing Asean-Japan Relations on Specific Sectors (Automotive, Electrical and Electronics, SMEs and Agro-based Industry)'.

The symposium will be attended by about 250 delegates and provide a platform for Japanese and Asean businessmen to exchange ideas on ways to boost economic cooperation especially in the automotive, electrical and electronics, agro-based industry and small-and-medium enterprises.

- Bernama