Latest news with #MalaysianChamberof
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MayCham steps up efforts to attract GCC-China investment ahead of Asean summit
BEIJING: The Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (MayCham) is stepping up efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and China, viewing the upcoming Asean-GCC-China Summit as a timely platform to position Malaysia as a key investment destination in Southeast Asia. MayCham chairman Loh Wee Keng said the summit, scheduled for May 27, comes at a critical time for Malaysia to boost its global economic presence by aligning more closely with regional, Gulf and Chinese partners. "Malaysia is a small country. If we work alone, our voice will not be heard. But through ASEAN and GCC cooperation, as well as alignment with China, this summit offers a unique opportunity for Malaysia to step into a more strategic role on the global stage," he told Bernama recently. He said the current global economic slowdown, particularly in Europe and the United States, underscores the need to tap capital from the Middle East, which remains a strong source of investment. "Asean-GCC-China collaboration is becoming increasingly relevant. The summit is a timely forum for Malaysia to showcase its growth-ready industries — from green energy to high technology, halal manufacturing and infrastructure. "With MayCham's established presence in both China and Malaysia, we are in a good position to bridge investor interest from the GCC region," said Loh. He noted that MayCham has actively cultivated relationships with Middle Eastern government agencies and corporates operating in China, and continues to advocate for Malaysia as a competitive, stable and strategically located investment hub. "Whenever we engage with Middle Eastern or Chinese investors in China, we make it a point to introduce investment opportunities in Malaysia. We also organise targeted investment roadshows and facilitate on-ground visits for market surveys and business matching," he said. Loh said MayCham's role as a business chamber goes beyond networking — it serves as a strategic facilitator in unlocking trade and investment flows by identifying investor needs and matching them with Malaysia's policy frameworks and sector strengths. "Going forward, MayCham will continue to play our part in reinforcing economic diplomacy. Our focus is clear — deepen ties, identify opportunities and channel investments into Malaysia and the wider Asean region," Loh added.
The Star
21-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Xi's visits to South-East Asia hailed as inspiring, strategic and timely
BEIJING: President Xi Jinping's recent trip to South-East Asia, his first overseas visit this year, underscored China's commitment to bolstering good-neighbourly relations and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, analysts said. Xi visited Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia last week, demonstrating China's dedication to supporting multilateralism and international trade rules. Amid global challenges like trade protectionism and unilateralism, China's efforts to build a community with a shared future with its neighbours inject fresh energy into regional and global economic growth and stability, the analysts said. Throughout his tour, Xi reaffirmed China's commitment to fostering friendship and partnership with neighboring nations. In Vietnam, Xi said that building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future carries great global significance. In Malaysia, he said that China is ready to work with Malaysia to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future. In Cambodia, Xi and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed to build an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era and designated 2025 as the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism. Rujipun Assarut, a senior researcher at the Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok, Thailand, said, "Amid US tariff tensions, President Xi Jinping's South-East Asia trip is a well-timed and strategic move signifying how China is willing to be a dependable economic partner while nurturing relationships in the advancement of mutual prosperity among the countries. "China and the countries have signed dozens of cooperation agreements, including deals on enhancing supply chains and railway cooperation with Vietnam and upgrading joint industrial parks with Malaysia. These will strengthen cooperation in supply chains and trade promotion between China and the region," he added. Nguyen Minh Vu, Vietnam's permanent deputy minister of foreign affairs, said the outcomes of President Xi's state visit are diverse and outstanding, with positive and long-term impacts on bilateral relations, according to a report by Vietnam News. Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan told local media on Thursday (April 17) that Malaysia and China will set up a consultative council to coordinate the implementation of 31 bilateral cooperation documents signed between the two countries during Xi's state visit. Loh Wee Keng, chairman of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, said: "Twelve years ago, during President Xi's first visit to Malaysia (as president), he introduced numerous projects. This year's visit further enhances China-Malaysia cooperation, opening up more opportunities for businesses." He emphasised that as the United States' new tariff policy creates global economic uncertainty, Xi's visit to South-East Asia was timely and will bring more economic opportunities and stability to the region. Suthiphand Chirathivat, a professor emeritus of economics and former director of the Asean Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University, said Xi's trip conveyed the message that China wants to work together with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)member countries for an open dialogue. "Asean countries should take a pause and think about who should be trusted. It's obvious that the US only prioritises its own interests. As emerging economies in the world, China and Asean are important to each other and need each other," he said. "As economic and trade cooperation between China and Asean accelerates, trade and investment continue to grow steadily, and collaboration in industrial and supply chains is becoming increasingly close. After President Xi's trip, I believe such relations will grow even closer with stronger mutual trust," he added. Chhem Kieth Rethy, senior minister and chairman of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Cambodia, said he believes that the building of an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era will be a moment of renewal for both countries. President Xi's visit inspired greater confidence regarding the cooperation and development between the two countries, he said. - China Daily/ANN
