Business Opportunities in Malaysia – A Business Event in Sydney – What a success!
Recently, I was privileged to be MC for the “Business Opportunities in Malaysia” seminar in Sydney. The Hon Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia, led a very successful business delegation from Malaysia representing State government, agencies and private sectors, to Australia from 11- 15 August 2014. The Sydney event was held on 12 August 2014 at the Fours Seasons Hotel. The event was attended by more than 300 participants from diverse private and government trade, investment and business sectors. Malaysian Member of Parliament for Kota Tinggi. the Hon Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid also attended with Minister Mustapa. Representatives of MIDA, MATRADE, Tourism Malaysia, MAS, Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Johor and corporate members of the Malaysian Australian Business Council (MABC) were also present.
The Minister presented an interesting update on business opportunities in Malaysia, emphasising that Malaysia will continue to be a Top-10 trade partner for the Australian economy.
In 2013, Australia was Malaysia’s 9th largest trading partner, 8th largest export destination and 11th largest import source. The total exports to Australia in 2013 was USD 9.23 Billion whist the total imports from Australia was USD 5.24 Billion.
The Minister cited that the key reasons for investing in Malaysia were: Political and economic stability, a pro business government, liberal investment policies, good infrastructure, a sound banking system, an open trading environment, excellent Convention and Conference facilities, trainable english speaking human resource, great quality of life, excellent cuisine and biodiversity. There are also at least 100 flights weekly from Australia to Malaysia via MAS and Air Asia, making access and connectivity to Malaysia relatively easy.
Other key presenters included: Mr Ian Jordan, National President, Australia Malaysia Business Council (AMBC), Mr Robert Kok, Councillor, City of Sydney Mr Ashok Ramamurthy, Group Managing Director, AMMB Holdings Berhad, Mr Duncan Brain, Chief Executive Officer, IAG Asia, and Mr Howard F. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Vulcanite Pty Ltd.
An Exchange of MoU between Malaysia Bumiputra Solar Fabricator Association ((BUSFA) and University of Western Sydney (UWS) also took place at the end of the seminar.
The delegates also joined the Minister for the luncheon at Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom in Sydney.
Many participants commented that they gained valuable information about the ease of doing business and the business opportunities in Malaysia. They also gained valuable networks at the seminar and the business matching sessions on the day.
The business mission was organised by the agencies of Mr Azman Mahmud, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Dr were Wong Lai Sum, CEO of Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).
The Sydney event was well organised by the team of the the office of the Sydney Consulate of Malaysia (Investment Section), MIDA led by Director, Ms Aizah Abdullah.
Thank you to MIDA and MATRADE for the opportunity to MC and moderate the Q and A at this important business event in Sydney
For more information email
MIDA: midasyd@bigpond.net.au
MATRADE: melbourne@matrade.gov.au
Malaysia Tourism: mtpb.syd@tourismmalaysia.com.au
High Commissioner of Malaysia in Canberra: malcanberra@netspeed.com.au