Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the New Economic Model (NEM) will not only identify capable bumiputera companies but also help them compete globally.

"The government will also give the bumiputera companies recognition and help them become giants that can compete at the world's highest level," he said when launching NGV Tech Sdn Bhd naval dockyard project in Bagan Datoh today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister said NGV Tech was a good example of a successful bumiputera company that made good globally, just like what NEM wanted.

He said NGV Tech did not need government help to build 157 vessels for export to Middle East countries,  African countries, India, Indonesia and Iran.

"Malaysian companies can be competitive on the world stage. This not a dream as NGV Tech has already proven.

"This proves that bumiputeras can succeed at the highest level without quota or government help."

Najib said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed had asked him to check out NGC Tech and to offer help.

"We will help capable Malaysian companies but we don't want them to sell the contracts to others. I believe NGV Tech does not do this kind of thing."

He did not dismiss possibility that the government buy vessels built by NGV Tech adding the RM620 million dockyard would benefit the local population.

- Bernama