Petronas to diversify into non-traditional markets

ENCOURAGED by the huge success of its South African venture, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) says it plans to diversify further into other non- traditional countries. Japan and South Korea are Petronas' traditional markets. "Now we are diversifying our markets into India and Indonesia. Similarly, for the gas business, it has always been Japan, (South) Korea and Taiwan. Now, we are looking for opportunities in India and China," chief executive officer Tan Sri Hassan Marican said yesterday. "As the region develops and as the market matures, being proactive in the business environment, we will look at non-traditional markets. "One of the things we have done is to take up investments in South…