IN A bid to foster closer ties between Malaysia and China, Pahang business groups paid a courtesy call on their Guangdong counterparts.
The delegation to Kuala Lumpur was led by Pahang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Datuk Seri Chai Chow Sang and Temerloh Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Seiko Chew Kim Pong.
Both trade leaders met with Guangdong Economic and Trade Office in Southeast Asia (Kuala Lumpur) chief representative Zhang Junhong to exchange ideas and explore ways to strengthen ties between both countries’ business communities.
Chai, who is also the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) vice-president, said it had actively promoted policy communication as well as economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China.
He said ACCCIM hoped to establish a closer cooperation mechanism with Guangdong through business matching.
To support this, the chamber aims for more enterprises with advanced technology, management experience and international competitiveness to invest in Malaysia.
“We want to create more opportunities for enterprises to explore international markets by strengthening ties with business organisations at home and abroad,” said Chai.
“Small and medium enterprises (SME) are an important pillar of Malaysia’s economy, contributing 39.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) and providing about eight million jobs.
“Both sides can further strengthen cooperation among SMEs in areas such as supply chain integration, digital transformation, technology exchange and talent training.
“This will allow enterprises in both regions to complement each other’s strengths and jointly explore international markets,” he said.
Chai also suggested strengthening port and logistics cooperation between Guangdong’s port clusters and Malaysian ports such as Kuantan.
He also proposed utilising the two countries’ industrial parks, namely Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park.
“This will help to promote the development of advanced manufacturing, green industries, logistics and high-tech industries.
“We welcome Guangdong enterprises to focus their investments in Pahang.
“With the construction of East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project underway, there is development potential in areas such as industrial parks, port logistics, manufacturing, modern agriculture and tourism.
“Pahang has abundant land, natural and tourism resources, as well as an improving transportation infrastructure to provide more opportunities for investors,” he said.
Chew said the chamber remained committed to serving the business community, fostering economic growth and strengthening corporate cooperation and partnerships.
“We also actively assist local enterprises in enhancing their competitiveness and strive to build platforms for exchange and collaboration with business communities both at home and abroad.
“Guangdong province has strong technological innovation, advanced manufacturing, e-commerce, green economy and a modern service industry, which local companies can learn from and emulate.
“We hope that through this exchange, we can deepen mutual understanding and explore further opportunities for economic and trade cooperation, specifically in investment, trade, youth entrepreneurial exchanges, SME development and industrial matching,” he said, adding that such a partnership would yield mutual benefits.
In response, Zhang said the trade office had actively promoted two-way investment and trade through 20 economic exchange activities since early this year.
He said the trade office had assisted in more than 10 two-way business visits and helped many Guangdong enterprises conduct investment and trade visits in Malaysia.
“Both sides can strengthen working ties, promote investment and business visits and encourage enterprises to participate in various exhibitions in Guangdong to expand bilateral trade.
“Other areas that can be enhanced include education, culture and tourism,” Zhang added.
