"Generally, we spoke about increasing trade and investments. There is a decrease and we have to reverse the trend," he said when asked on issues discussed during his bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Ninth Langkawi International Dialogue (LID).

Najib had bilateral meetings with Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister of Swaziland, Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Vice-President of Uganda, Edward Sekandi, and Kenyan Vice-President, Stephen Kalonzo, here today.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia was trying to woo more students from the African continent to study here.

"We are also trying to encourage Malaysian companies to invest in the countries participating in LID," he said.

This, however, depends very much on the political and business climate, he said, adding that Zimbabwe felt that it was a matter of perception.

"Zimbabwe has to do a lot more to assuage the concerns of Malaysia's potential investors," he said.

Asked about a company said to have done a feasibility study in Tanzania but did not take up the job, Najib said the government cannot force private companies to take up businesses.