Datuk Michael Kang, the National President of SME Association of Malaysia, led 20 directors and members to Labuan Island for a three-day business fact-finding tour starting from 1st September 2020. It was aimed at creating opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between entrepreneurs to build Labuan into a favourable place for doing business, leisure and living.
The guests included Mr Chin Chee Seong, National Vice President of SME Association of Malaysia, Ms.Ada Poon , Chairman of SME Association of Malaysia (Women Entr. & Youth Entr. Division) , and Ms Miccele Siow, Deputy Chairman of SME Association of Malaysia (Women Entr. & Youth Entr. Division), together with Datin Cherlin Cheah, Chairman of the Shanghai Businesswomen Social Club.
The visitors were hosted to a luncheon by the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority (LOFSA) upon arrival. After that, they visited the LOFSA office for an offshore financial services briefing to better understand the requirements and benefits of setting up an offshore company in Labuan. The visitors attended a private beach party at the Palm Beach Resort & SPA in the evening.
The second day’s activities included a snorkeling trip to enchanting Pulau Rusukan and viewing the magnificent oil and gas industries along Brunei Bay.
In the evening, the delegation attended a dinner hosted by the Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Hotel Aifa. Other guests included Dr. Fary Akmal Osman, Chief Executive Officer of Perbadanan Labuan, YB Rozman Isli, Member of Parliament for Labuan, and leaders of various Chinese communities.
Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce and SME Association of Malaysia to form partnership to develop the national economy
Dato’ Wong Kii Yii, President of the Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce, remarked that his association was preparing to form a partnership with the SME Association of Malaysia to collaborate in developing Labuan and the national economy when speaking at the Hotel Aifa dinner.
Datuk Micheal Kang, in his speech, suggested that the two parties form a sister association to help businesses develop Labuan into a free trade centre.
Dato’ Wong said the suggestion was appropriate and worthy of implementation by both parties in order to achieve a win-win result and work hand in hand, heart to heart to contribute towards the economic development of Labuan and country.
He said Labuan welcomed the visit of the SME Malaysia members in order to work together to overcome the pandemic, promote business exchanges and revitalise the country’s economy.
Dato’ Wong also said the Labuan Chamber of Commerce welcomed and supported the introduction of domestic and foreign investment, especially companies, and that the establishment of factories had great development potential. His chamber could also help establish close cooperation with government departments in Labuan to guide and provide assistance to investors.
He suggested that the SME Association of Malaysia set up a branch on the island to join hands with the Chamber of Commerce to assist in the development of the island’s SMEs and promote economic cooperation.
Unlimited business opportunities
Datuk Michael Kang commended the theme of Chamber of Commerce’s banquet in promoting business exchanges and revitalising the national economy and that there may be opportunities from the pandemic.
He said his association came to better understand Labuan and that the island offered tremendous business potential.
“We believe that in 2030, small and medium-sized enterprises will contribute 50% of the country’s economic benefits, and they will also be comparable to major countries such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Germany,” he said.
SME Association of Malaysia (formerly SMI Association of Malaysia) was established on 13th July 1995 with the objectives of promoting, providing support, services and solutions towards the best interest of small and medium industries, enterprises and businesses in Malaysia. Since the inception, the Association has been organizing numerous mega and international conferences, seminars, award, exhibition and localised projects to educate, elevate and expose its members as well as small and medium industries, enterprises and businesses in Malaysia. The Association is also actively engaged in dialogues with the various government ministries to provide feedback on the needs and improvements required for a stronger and more professional small and medium industries, enterprises and businesses, representing 99.2% of the Malaysian economic establishment.
（纳闽2019年9月11日讯）马来西亚中小企业公会全国总会长拿督江华强率领众理事及会员共20人，前来纳闽岛进行为期3天的商务考察及旅游，为双边的企业家缔造交流及合作的机会，共同将纳闽岛打造成宜商、宜玩ヽ宜居的好地方。
与总会长拿督江同行的理事尚包括马来西亚中小企业公会全国副总会长陈棋雄、马来西亚中小企业公会女企团及青年团主席潘艳虹及副主席萧莉倩，以及商海女企业家俱乐部主席拿汀谢进潾等。
该公会一行人抵达后，出席纳闽金融服务局的午宴招待，餐后随即前往纳闽金融服务局进行岸外金融服务讲解会，让众人了解开设岸外公司的条件与好处。当晚则在下榻的酒店即棕榈滩度假村举行私人沙滩派对，充分享受热带岛屿的风情。
该考察团翌日将前往迷人的鲁苏甘岛进行浮潜一日游，沿途观赏汶莱湾壮丽的油气工业风景线，抵达后浮潜欣赏美丽的珊瑚群及品尝岛主精心准备的海鲜宴，晚上则出席由纳闽中华商会于亿发大酒店举办的交流晚宴，皆时纳闽的政商名流包括纳闽机构首席执行员花丽博士、纳闽区国会议员拿督罗斯曼，以及各华人社团领袖也将受邀出席当晚的宴会。
闽商会大马中小企业公会 准备缔结为姐妹会 携手发展国家经济
纳闽中华商会会长拿督黄勤如今日表示：该会准备与马来西亚中小企业总公会缔结为姐妹会，以便同心协力发展纳闽及国家经济。
拿督黄勤如是对马来西亚中小企业公会总会长拿督江华强的建议作出积极回应。他说：“我希望中小企业公会于下一次的到访，是双方缔结为姐妹会签署谅解备忘录。”
拿督江华强是在纳闽中华商会假AIFA酒店翡翠轩举行的交流晚宴上致词时建议未来双方缔结为姐妹会，以便协助商家发展纳闽成为一个自由贸易中心。
拿督黄勤如指出：拿督江华强的建议值得双方进一步及落实，以便取得双赢目标及手连手，心连心共同为纳闽及我国经济发展作出贡献。
拿督黄勤如在致词时表示欢迎中小企业公会代表团的到访，以便共同努力突破疫情，促进商业交流及振兴国家经济。
他说：纳闽商会也非常欢迎及100%支持引入国内外投资，特别是企业及设立工厂具有巨大的发展潜能，而商会可通过与政府部门建立的紧密合作关系，为投资者穿针引线及给予协助。
他也建议中小企业公会在岛上设立分会，以便与商会联手，协助岛上中小企业的发展及促进经济建设。
处东盟之间，闽商机无限
另一方面，拿督江华强在致词时表示商会宴请交流晚宴促进商业交流振兴国家经济的主题非常适合，尤其新冠肺炎疫情在全球无一国家幸免的情况之下，危机就是商机。
「我们透过这一次的组团前来了解，就是希望促进交流及振兴经济；尤其小巧的闽岛商机大，发展空间无限。 」
「我们相信在2030年中小企业将贡献全国50&经济收益，也将媲美台湾，韩国，及德国等大国。」
皆时纳闽的政商名流包括纳闽机构首席执行员花丽博士、纳闽区国会议员拿督罗斯曼，以及各华人社团领袖也将受邀出席当晚的宴会。
马来西亚中小企业公会成立于1995年7月13日，该公会积极为中小企业提供服务与支援，并促进中小企业的发展。该会也积极与政府部门和机构对话，反应中小企业的需求和提供改进方向，以建立一个强大、有活力、有竞争力和有弹性的中小企业。作为我国经济主干，该会认为中小企业的蓬勃发展是马来西亚迈向先进经济的关键点。