KUALA LUMPUR: Captains of industries and political leaders will gather here for a series of meetings to discuss issues ranging from the economy to the medical sector.
The 5th World Association Presidents’ Conference (WAPC) will see closed-door roundtable meetings attended by CEOs and representatives of organisations from six sectors, namely healthcare; industrial energy; food and agriculture; tourism, arts and culture; e-commerce and finance management as well as logistics.
Held for the first time in Malaysia, participants will deliberate government policies for entrepreneurs, grasp future trends and be given networking opportunities for businesses to expand their contacts and collaborations.
Gearing up: (From left) Dr Mah, Tan and Chong will each be moderating a session at the conference.
MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who will moderate the biopharmaceuticals and medical devices session, said they will focus on topics such as the policies and licensing needed for businesses to expand in the Malaysian market.
“We will look into clarifying government policies and registrations that are needed before products can be sold locally,” he said.
He also said that there has been research that developed effective products but without progressing further.
“The results of these research have not been commercialised. To reap the maximum potential, it has to be a product so that it can benefit others,” he said.
Dr Mah said this roundtable discussion brings in experts from different areas such as healthcare digitalisation, new medicine development from tropical herbs, vaccine development and more.
These different areas will be delved into comprehensively as the experts are thought leaders in their fields, he added.
“This roundtable will be an opportune time for businessmen and entrepreneurs to set up collaborations and for investors who may come in and co-invest.
“We will provide the platform for them to meet one another so that they can take their business ventures further,” he said.
He said the focus is not only on collaboration between local businesses and foreign companies, but to expand Malaysian businesses overseas.
The 5th WAPC is jointly organised by MCA, Malaysia-China Friendship Association and Malaysia Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry featuring the theme “Promoting Trade Liberalisation and Advancing Economic Globalisation”.
The multinational conference will be held at Wisma MCA on Dec 2, with some 700 leaders and entrepreneurs expected to attend.
MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, who will moderate the discussion on logistics, said Malaysia’s strategic location in South-East Asia made it a key hub for trade between East and West.
“For Chinese businessmen, Malaysia is a key part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that offers a gateway to the Asean market.
“China’s BRI has placed significant emphasis on infrastructure development, including logistics networks.
“Malaysia is an important partner in this initiative, with key infrastructure projects like the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) that improves connectivity between China and Malaysia.
“The initiative will enhance trade routes and reduce transportation costs,” said Tan, who is also MCA China Affairs and BRI committee chairman.
He added that Malaysia and China have seen a boom in e-commerce and cross-border trade, adding that efficient logistics services are vital in handling the large volumes of goods exchanged.
As moderator, Tan said he would facilitate discussions that identify critical challenges in the logistics sector such as inefficiencies, supply chain disruptions and infrastructure gaps.
“We will promote collaboration between different stakeholders such as government bodies, business leaders, logistics providers and tech innovators.
“The aim is to build partnerships that drive growth and improvement in the logistics sector, besides exploring practical solutions and best practices to address any potential issue.
“There will also be discussions on the latest trends in logistics such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability and the role of technology in improving efficiency and reducing costs.”
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, who is moderating the renewable energy session, will highlight emerging trends in solar energy, electric vehicles, carbon credits and more.
“Renewable energy is the latest trend now and even our country’s policy is encouraging the shift.
“We should take this opportunity to understand the trend and to explore the opportunities working with China,” he said.
Chong said he will also look into knowledge sharing and potential technology transfer from China, which is actively innovating in solar power and electric vehicles.
Renewable energy, he added, is an important trend in Malaysia as more customers shift towards electric vehicles and are installing solar panels.
He also highlighted the emergence of renewable energy players in Malaysia, especially in the area of carbon credits.
This is a new business model and has significant potential in Malaysia, said Chong.
“We are striving very hard in Malaysia to substitute carbon-burning energy with renewable energy,” he added.
The roundtable, he said, is an ideal place to kickstart collaborations and provide opportunities for international business deals.
