KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah (MCCC Sabah) continues to strengthen its role as a key bridge connecting Sabah and China through the organisation of a Welcome and Networking Dinner to honour a delegation from the Dalian Federation of Industry and Commerce (China) here last night.
The event brought together business leaders and representatives from various major trade chambers and industry associations in Sabah to foster friendship, strengthen cooperation and create a broader platform for economic and trade exchanges between Dalian and Sabah, while further enhancing Malaysia-China relations.
The delegation from Dalian, which is visiting Sabah from 27 to 30 June, comprises several prominent business figures including Chairman of Dalian Kowa Foods Co., Ltd., Liu Yong; Founder and Chairman of Dalian Shuiyifang Group, Zhou Jing; Vice Chairman of the Liaoning General Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Fredrik Choi; as well as other entrepreneurs.
During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to participate in business networking sessions, corporate visits and business matching activities aimed at exploring new opportunities in trade, investment and economic cooperation between both sides.
In his welcoming address, MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau welcomed the delegation and expressed his appreciation for the return visit following MCCC Sabah’s visit to Dalian in May.
He said the visit continues the friendship established during that trip and opens a new chapter in strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Dalian and Sabah.
According to him, MCCC Sabah has always been committed to promoting Malaysia-China relations not only in trade and investment, but also in government, business, education, culture, tourism, technology and youth development.
“MCCC Sabah has grown into an important platform for Malaysia-China cooperation. We aim to be the first destination for Chinese companies seeking to invest in Sabah and East Malaysia, while also becoming the most trusted partner for Sabah businesses looking to explore opportunities in the China market,” he said.
He noted that since its establishment, MCCC Sabah has built close relationships and extensive networks with the Chinese Government at the central, provincial and municipal levels, as well as with federations of industry and commerce, business associations, enterprises, Malaysian government agencies, Sabah state agencies and major business organisations.
Lau said the dinner was also attended by representatives of The Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia, the China Graduates Alumni Association of Sabah, as well as academics from Xiamen University, adding an educational dimension to the programme.
He said the presence of academics and alumni provided MCCC Sabah members, particularly parents, with a deeper understanding of China’s higher education system and learning environment as a quality option for their children’s future education.
He stressed that economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges and educational collaboration complement one another, and expressed hope that educational ties between both sides would continue to be strengthened through more youth exchange programmes and academic cooperation.
The dinner also brought together representatives from various business chambers, multi-ethnic trade organisations, professional bodies, China alumni associations, Chinese enterprises, government departments, government-linked companies (GLCs) and community leaders.
Among those present were representatives from the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Sabah China Chamber of Commerce, SME Association of Malaysia (Sabah), Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (SWEPA), Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysia (PUMM) Sabah, Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce, Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (SBCC), Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah, Malaysia Alumni Association of China Universities, Sabah Alumni Association of China Universities, and the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia (Sabah Chapter).
Lau said the strong support from various sectors demonstrated the importance attached to Malaysia-China cooperation, as well as MCCC Sabah’s ability to unite stakeholders, mobilise resources and serve as an effective platform for business collaboration.
“Successful cooperation begins with mutual trust. MCCC Sabah will continue to play its role as a bridge connecting both sides, while creating more opportunities for shared growth and prosperity,” he said.
He expressed hope that the Dalian delegation’s visit would serve as a starting point for closer relations and generate more business exchanges, investment partnerships and project collaborations between Dalian and Sabah.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Liu described Dalian as one of China’s earliest coastal cities to benefit from the country’s reform and opening-up policy, as well as a major hub for China’s marine economy.
He said Dalian possesses a highly developed marine fisheries and seafood processing industry, with its seafood sector playing a pivotal role in the Chinese market and making the city one of the country’s largest seafood production bases.
He noted that in May this year, Datuk Dexter led an MCCC Sabah delegation to Dalian, where they held productive exchanges with local food and seafood processing companies, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.
According to him, the return visit to Sabah aims to gain a deeper understanding of the state’s abundant natural resources and industrial strengths, while translating previous discussions into concrete collaborative projects that can deliver mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
Among the distinguished guests present were Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Dr Zhu Xinglong; MCCC Sabah Honorary President Datuk Lau Kok Sing; Deputy Permanent Secretary I (Industry) of the Sabah Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (MINDET), Haji Suhaib Ismail; President of the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Datuk Victor Kou; SWEPA President Betty Epin; Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board, Julinus Jeffrey Jimit; SME Sabah President Dr Deledda Tan; PUMM Sabah Chairperson Dolly Chin; President of The Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia, Lim Kok Yan; President of the China Graduates Alumni Association of Sabah, Teo Jinn Jiun; as well as business leaders and prominent members of the community.
