I think the Premier league is the biggest export we have to Malaysia! I have been here for just over a day but the impact of that famous brand is everywhere. The Malaysians follow football avidly and you can find expert fans on virtually all the clubs.

I have been in Malaysia today promoting the UK, and seeing what more we can do to help Prime Minister Najib’s plans to help increase the skills of Malaysians.

I opened the trade show British Education Suppliers Association Asia Conference. The government welcomes our help in the education sector. Nottingham University has a campus here and Newcastle University Medical School in Malaysia opens its doors next year. Just before I arrived, Marlborough College announced they are to open a college here catering for parents in Asia who want their children to have the best of a British education. The market is worth 250 million pounds a year.

There are already many strong British brands in the market – not just the Premier League. And the Malaysians know about the strength of branding. Next season, lining up on the grid, will be a One Malaysia F1 team. A team made possible through Malaysian carmaker Proton’s purchase of Lotus. British engineering is helping Malaysia brand itself to the world.

I also visited Spirit AeroSystems, which is a new manufacturing hub in Kuala Lumpur, linked to their parent in Prestwick, a hugely impressive site, highlighting the best of British and Malaysian co-operation.

Then on to a lunch with Malaysian business and political leaders at which we discussed some of the challenges and opportunities for Malaysia. This is such an exciting country, which in my previous roles, I have visited regularly. Total exports of goods and services in 2008 from the UK to Malaysia were 1.64 billion pounds.

Malaysia is now considering opening up the services sector and this is of particular interest to us in Britain given we have a global reputation for expertise in services.

British companies across a diverse range of industries from oil and gas, financial services, aerospace, retail and healthcare are all making headway and profits here. We are now about to meet the media and then to have a  reception  with the British Chamber of Commerce before I catch a late flight to Jakarta.