SEPANG, Oct 23 ― Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said motorsports events such as the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix played an important role in generating income for the country.

“Although we may expect international visitors from countries with strong currencies to spend much more this year at the Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the importance of a motorsports industry in Malaysia is much more than just cyclical income from tourists,” he said in the SIC programme book in conjunction with the 2015 Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Indeed, he said, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) had done a lot to grow the business aspect surrounding motorsports with Sepang Circuit as the epicentre of action.

“I believe the SIC team has been sharing some of their long-term plans to  develop the area (Sepang Circuit) with ideas such as motorsports-centric business facilities, a hotel and a them park,” said the prime minister.

He noted that the government was aware of the value of the peripheral  supporting industries and businesses for motorsports and would continue to nurture a conducive environment for motorsports in Malaysia.

Najib also congratulated SIC and other parties that had contributed to the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix since the inaugural race 25 years ago.

“We are proud when Malaysia successfully hosted an international event and  after a quarter century of trust from the FIM (Federation of International Motorcycling) for this longest running international motorsports event in Malaysia.

“I believe I can safely say that Malaysia is a host of no mean calibre,” he said. ― Bernama