Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz will lead a mission to the Gulf region this week to boost trade and investment ties, Bernama news agency reported today. The mission starting tomorrow and lasting until March 31 includes Dubai (The United Arab Emirates), Doha (Qatar), Manama (Bahrain) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), said the ministry of International Trade and Industry in a statement. The mission comprises 55 private sector representatives from 43 companies, 27 officials from state governments, the ministry, Malaysia Industrial Development Authority and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). Rafidah is expected to address local business communities at seminars to be held in Dubai on March 22, Doha on March 25, Manama on March 27 and Jeddah on March 31. The ministry said business meetings have also been arranged between the private sector of the Malaysian delegation and their business counterparts in the three countries after the seminars.