Sabah vital link along Maritime Silk Road
Published on: Sunday, September 25, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is an important destination along the Maritime Silk Road under China's 'One Belt, One Road' initiative for 'win-win' collaboration and mutual benefits.There is great potential in commercial collaboration between China and Sabah, which has yet to be fully developed by the business community.In the 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit held earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a keynote speech in which he proposed that we can together establish an innovative, open, interactive and inclusive world economy model as China is achieving its development and providing the world with more opportunities.
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Chinese Consul-General Chen Pei Jie said this in her message delivered by her deputy Sun Xioawu at the Third Sabah Executive Council Installation Ceremony of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC-Sabah Branch) held at the Wisma Hakka Hall, here, recently.She added that the amount of direct investment from China was fast growing. In the first quarter of this year, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) approved almost US$400 million of direct investment from China.It is also the first time in Malaysia's history that China has surpassed US and Japan, and become the biggest investor in the local manufacturing sectors.Founded in 1990, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is a non-government, non-profit, multi-ethnic business organisation.
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MCCC aims at promoting interaction, cooperation and development in trade, investment and other industrial and commercial fields between Malaysia and China as well as protecting the interests of its members.Sabah Publishing House Managing Director Datuk Clement Yeh is one of MCCC Sabah advisors, re-appointed for 2016-2019.
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Datuk Frankie Liew Chun Tai was returned as the President of MCCC Sabah and Foo Ngee Kee as the first vice president.In his address, Liew said as a result of mutual promotion efforts on Sabah, "the number of China nationals who come to Sabah for vacation and trade-related visits has increased significantly. MACC Sabah shall serve as a platform for business matching and connecting government departments of both nations."Liew added that MCCC Sabah will promote Sabah specialty products, handicrafts, agricultural produce and travel packages to China and facilitate technological transfer from China into Sabah to benefit local businesses and the community.The three vice-presidents are Dato' Tan Tiang Lai, Lau Wei Dick @ Dexter Dick Lau and Koh Kian Ling.Chin Wee Yee is the secretary and Tan Kian Min is his deputy, while Soh Poh Soon is the treasurer and Datuk Liew Siew Kian his deputy.The director of commerce and deputy are Tan Kim Chan and Robert Chang Kon Hee.The director of public relations and deputy are Roger Lok Ee Kai and Ngan Yoke Loo. The internal auditor is Datuk Alan Ang Poon Seong.There are five Sabah state council members – Jacky Chin Thau Chung, JP Jonathan Lo Chaw Loong, Thomas Ng, Chou Min Kong, and Tan Siew Ling.Currently, MCCC has 1,400 corporate members, covering trade, manufacturing, finance, agriculture, real estate, tourism, education, consultation and other industries.Following the rise of China, MCCC has become increasingly important as a platform to promote Sino-Malaysian economic and trade development.MCCC also organised, co-organised or participated in trade visits, commodity exhibitions, economic, trade and investment fairs and conferences in Malaysia and China.Some of the events are the Canton Fair, China-Asean Expo, China Jilin-Northeast Asia Investment and Trade Expo, China International Fair for Investment & Trade, and the China Import & Export Commodities Exhibition.Commending the efforts of members and leaders and achievements of the MCCC Sabah, Guest of Honour, Special Task Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the Sabah State Government will extend its assistance to the chamber in whatever manner possible, noting that the country-to-country and people-to-people relationships between Malaysia and China have improved and grown over the years.China and Malaysia are good neighbours, partners and friends who have been working together for the past 40 golden years, and are looking forward for another diamond years of partnership.Through the framework of 'One Belt, One Road' policy and collaboration in production, there are immense results achieved by Malaysia and China in many fields such as electronics, oil and gas, etc.Companies from both nations in business sectors such as infrastructures, green technologies, new energies, agriculture, finance and logistics are achieving progress and continue to flourish in closer mutually beneficial relationship.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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