The delegation of the Macao ASEAN International Chamber of Commerce (MAICC) concluded its business trip to Singapore and Malaysia’s Johor Bahru yesterday, and MAICC Chairman Kelvin Tan Hai Ching said that he believed that members of the delegation will have gained a “positive” insight on their future development from various angles through the six-day visit to the two nations.
Organised by the MAICC, over 40 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Grater Bay Area (GBA) enterprise representatives set off from Macau headed to Singapore last Thursday with their visits to government officials, as well as various financial institutions to explore various business opportunities as well as the investment and financing strategies of the high-end financial sector there, including the Chinese Embassy, United Oversea Bank Venture MManagemment (UOBVM) Private Limited, OCBC Bank Wissma Aria and the New Bahru cultural cluster. The delegation ended their fact-finding trip in the Johor state of Malaysia yesterday after gaining an in-depth understanding of the on-going Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and Rapid Transit System (RTS) joint projects between Singapore and Malaysia.
Wrapping up the delegation’s trip, Tan said that it was an important initiative taken by his chamber to expand cooperation and exchanges with ASEAN countries: “The tour has provided a valuable opportunity for our delegation members to meet directly with key entities such as the Malaysian government without the need to go through a third party, further broadening their network and laying a solid foundation for future implementation and development. It was also a rare opportunity for them to experience and discover information beyond their own industries, as well as to have in-depth exchanges between other members, which will have a positive impact on their future career development.”
The tour has led to a number of business matching events, covering education, catering, real-estate and other sectors, according to MAICC.
Giving a conclusion to the fruitful outcomes that they have gained from the trip yesterday, MAICC Director General Wong Yuk Sze said that the delegation had achieved the desired effect of expanding knowledge and opening eyes to the development of Singapore and Malaysia, adding: “Apart from exchanges with enterprises [from Singapore and Malaysia], she saw a greatest benefit from the exchange and communication between members of the delegation to better understand each other and seek cooperation opportunities.”
As a young local entrepreneur, Edwin Kwok Wai Hang said that the visit has given him an in-depth understanding of the strength and prosperity of Singapore as a developed country in Southeast Asia, as well as the determination of the governments of the two nations – Malaysia and Singapore – to establish their Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and their open attitude towards foreign investment.
Members of the MAICC delegation give the thumbs up at Jewel Mall in Singapore yesterday. – Photo: Yuki Lei
