Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce
The 11th Malaysia-China Entrepreneurs Conference and
the 2nd Malaysia-China Young Entrepreneurs Conference
(MCEC & MCYEC 2021)
Speech by MCCC President Datuk Tan Yew Sing
21 November 2021
1. On
behalf of the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as
MCCC), I would like to thank all supporting units and strategy partners for
facilitating the holding of the 11th Malaysia-China Entrepreneurs Conference
and the 2nd Malaysia-China Youth Entrepreneurs Conference (MCEC & MCYEC
2021). I would also like to extend my sincere gratitude to leaders from all
walks of life around the world for participating in this event, both virtually
and in person.
2.
Since
the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, we have not thought that
this will be a protracted challenge. Even though the pandemic has led to
lockdown of countries and suspension of social and economic activities, which
greatly impacted the global economy and peoples’ livelihood, governments and
the peoples all over the world actively broke through border closures and
lockdown restrictions with the help of advance technologies, moving business,
meetings, trade and exhibitions online. This not only reflects our resilience
in face of adversity, but also our ability to transform challenges into
opportunities.
3.
The
best example is this annual event of MCCC. Last year, we and our joint
organizer, the Fujian Provincial Department of Commerce, shifted to “cloud
conferencing” in response to the pandemic, and encouragingly, the number of
participants reached an all-time high. This year, we decided to continue
holding the conferences both virtually and physically, focusing on “RCEP Key
Prospect and Challenge” as the theme. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
activities of the conferences will be broadcast live on local and foreign
online platforms, allowing those who cannot attend in person to participate
virtually.
Ladies and gentlemen,
4. As of
2 November, this year, 10 countries participating in the RCEP agreement have
formally submitted their approval to the Secretary General of ASEAN. In other
words, RCEP will come into force in these 10 countries from next year, and our
government also promises to complete the approval process of RCEP in
mid-December. We hope that Malaysia will actively implement its promise for the
RCEP to take effect as soon as possible, so as to help local enterprises expand
their businesses in the post-pandemic era by grasping the abundance of
opportunities in this huge market.
5. MCCC
believes that the effective implementation of RCEP will not only effectively
boost the confidence of all parties in economic growth and improve the level of
regional integration in East Asia, but also effectively promote the integration
of regional industrial chain, supply chain and value chain. In addition,
coupled with the development trend of the Belt and Road Initiative, economic
and trade cooperation between Malaysia and China will become closer, and more
conducive to achieving mutual benefiting and win-win results, and in turn, make
greater contributions to the common development and prosperity of the region.
6. After
most of the population have been vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine,
the governments of many countries and regions have reopened economic and social
activities, classifying the COVID-19 pandemic as an endemic and allowing the
peoples to co-exist with the virus. Malaysia also began to re-open almost all
its economic fields in October. The government and enterprises are also
actively promoting economic recovery.
7. With
the accelerated pace of global vaccination, governments of various countries
have gradually relaxed border restrictions, including taking measures to
welcome travelers who have completed two doses of vaccine. The Malaysian
government and enterprises should lay out and share resources for post-pandemic
economic recovery. The competitive advantages of Malaysia's investment
environment are mainly reflected in five aspects: its superior geographical
location, strategically in the heart of ASEAN, makes it a springboard for
businesses to enter the ASEAN market and expand to Australia, New Zealand as
well as the Middle East; Solid economic foundation and favorable growth prospect;
Abundant of raw material resources; High quality of human resources and low
wages; Harmonious national environment and relatively stable political
situation. These are all the advantages of attracting foreign capital,
especially Chinese capital.
8. China's
achievements in digital development and high technology have always been at the
forefront, and Chinese e-commerce platforms are now at a very mature stage. For
traditional enterprises in Malaysia that are about to or have entered the
digital transformation, we can learn from the marketing strategies of China's
e-commerce industry, especially live marketing, to improve our competitiveness
and service quality in emerging markets. One of the key events of the
Malaysia-China Young Entrepreneurs Conference (MCYEC) in today afternoon is
digital transformation. Professionals in relevant fields are invited to share
with participants on ways to layout and develop business with cloud computing,
means to carry out marketing with online celebrities, and methods to measure
effectiveness of these marketing strategies.
Ladies and gentlemen,
9. As we
are in an ever-changing era intertwined with an unprecedented pandemic
situation, the uncertain factors of global development have elevated. Whenever
science and technology improve global productivity, innovative thinking and new
business models will be created. Entrepreneurial opportunities are only
available to those who are prepared. Now that Malaysia is vigorously promoting
the digital economy, the application of science and technology also has
potential to improve the efficiency on the service of traditional industries,
improve the quality of products, and open up new business opportunities for
local enterprises.
Malaysia and China are forging ahead on
their own track of development. Malaysia has launched various supporting
measures for economic revitalization during the pandemic, injected funds into
the market and tried to protect the economy. At the same time, the 12th
Malaysia Plan launched in September and the Budget 2022 launched at the end of
October have set out the direction for promoting economic recovery and
revitalizing the country.
10. Malaysia
and China share a long-standing friendly relation and are highly complementary
with each other development needs. They are natural partners. I believe that
with the joint efforts of Malaysia and China overcoming COVID-19, we will usher
in a new development with mutual benefiting and pragmatic cooperation and
continuous promotion of economic and trade exchanges between the two countries.
11. Lastly,
I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Chief Minister of
Selangor YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin bin Shari and China Ambassador to Malaysia
H.E. Ouyang Yujing, as well as all supporting units and partners for working
together to ensure the smooth convening of today conferences. I hope all
participants, both virtually and in person, have a rewarding experience, and I
wish you all good health, success, and prosperity.
--The End--
