(From left) Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang branch chairman Datuk Lee Teong Li, Digital Penang Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tony Yeoh, Pentamaster Corp Bhd executive chairman Chuah Choon Bin and Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia medium-enterprise business banking executive director Woon Siew Hoong discussing the session on “Accelerating Trade Through Digital Technologies”. Muhd Shahrulmiza Zakaria moderated the event (far right).
GEORGE TOWN: Industrialists, bankers and digital technologies specialists among others gathered to brainstorm on two panel discussions.
Titled “Accelerating Trade Through Digital Technologies” and “Women in Exports”, the event was held in conjunction with the Export Excellence Awards (EEA) 2022 Penang Roadshow at a hotel here.
Digital Penang Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tony Yeoh, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang branch chairman Datuk Lee Teong Li, Pentamaster Corp Bhd executive chairman Chuah Choon Bin and Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia medium-enterprise business banking executive director Woon Siew Hoong discussed the unexplored business frontiers provided by digital technologies.
They also discussed the megatrends of the digital revolution, global trade solutions and business-to-business services for export facilitation, as well as opportunities through business matchmaking platforms.
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia chairman and independent non-executive director Datuk Yvonne Chia, Buma Logistics Sdn Bhd director Christy Bong, Hernan Corporation group chief executive officer Anna Teo and SKB Shutters Corporation executive director Melissa Sin - the second discussion panellists - provided insights on opportunities and support programmes for women exporters, as well as how digital transformation could spur growth.
The discussions were moderated by Muhd Shahrulmiza Zakaria, Matrade’s Customised Programme Section, Transformation and Digital Trade Division deputy director.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Star Media Group (SMG) chief executive officer Alex Yeow, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Abrar A. Anwar and SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang.
Yeow said over the years, Penang has grown to become one of the most developed states in Malaysia, attracting confident investors and being a hub to many regional and international companies.
"Aptly dubbed the Silicon Valley of the East, it was only natural that we brought the Export Excellence Awards Roadshow here.
"In recent years, Penang has amplified its efforts in becoming a holistic, digital state with its Digital Transformation Masterplan as the cornerstone.
"Star Media Group has also been rolling out new and exciting digital offerings for the local and overseas markets.
"It’s an exciting journey as we look forward to a more digital literate community and paving the way for digitalisation as a way of life," he added.
Abrar said as an industrial hub for Malaysia and the region, Penang has always maintained a remarkable external trade performance.
"In 2021, Malaysia recorded an excellent export performance with exports value hitting a record high of RM1.2 trillion, of which Penang played a dynamic contributor role as the top exporter state in the nation with a share of 33.9%, followed by Selangor and Johor at 17.2% respectively.
"Despite the pandemic and lockdowns affecting the world at differing magnitudes, Penang’s sound economic fundamentals in manufacturing accentuates the state’s solid growth trajectory.
"In fact, Penang was one of the five states in Malaysia which recorded positive year-on-year export growth," Abrar added.
EEA is organised by Star Media Group in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, with PKT Logistics Group as co-sponsor and Matrade as patron.
It is audited by BDO.
For more information on EEA, visit exportawards.com.my or email eea@thestar.com.my.
