SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan yesterday dismissed rumours the current economic malaise is keeping investors away from the state.

Rather than shying away, he said, both local and foreign investors were showing interest in investing in the state.

"Negri Sembilan is still one of the top picks for investors even though we have to compete with other prime areas, especially within the economic corridors.

"Despite the competition, many have expressed interest in investing in businesses here, and some have opened up factories in the state."

One of the top locations, he said, was Bandar Baru Sendayan which had good access to Seremban and Port Dickson.

"We have decided to develop Bandar Baru Sendayan as part of an education hub by setting up more private and public colleges as well as internationally acclaimed universities.

"The International University College of Nursing is coming up in the area as well as the Science and Technology University," Hasan said after chairing the state executive council meeting yesterday.

Touching on the sugar shortage in the state, the menteri besar urged retailers not to hoard sugar in order to raise the price.

"The people also should not panic as the authorities are monitoring the situation to ensure there are no problems during the fasting month," he said.