November 03, 2009 16:38 PM

First World Chinese Economic Forum In Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The first World Chinese Economic Forum, comprising top industry players and leading businessmen from overseas Chinese communities, will be held in Malaysia beginning November 16.

Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Strategy & Leadership (ASLI) Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh said the two-day forum would attract participants from Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China and Indonesia.

Themed "Building Business Linkages, Charting New Frontiers", the forum will be jointly organised by ASLI, Country Heights Group and Easy Pha-Max.

"The forum is also supported by four important overseas organisations, namely the China Association of Mayors, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Chinese Professional and Businessmen Association of Victoria, Australia," Yeoh said during a media briefing today on the World Chinese Economic Forum.

"Some of the distinguished participants will include bankers, private equity fund managers, professors and lawyers," Yeoh said.

Yeoh informed that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon would deliver a keynote address at the forum while Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng will deliver a luncheon keynote address.

He said the World Chinese Economic Forum aims to better understand the key forces driving China's economic growth and the nexus with the Chinese Diaspora worldwide.

"It will also help promote Malaysia as a regional hub to link China with other countries such as the Middle East," Yeoh said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has expressed support for the forum by sending a special message.

In his special message for the forum, Najib welcomed guests from China and from countries around the world where the Chinese diaspora has created vibrant overseas Chinese communities, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia and nations across Europe.

Najib said by promoting closer business links among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia, it would help tap into the economic resources of Chinese entrepreneurs around the world.

Najib also urged Malaysians to partner overseas Chinese entrepreneurs to lure investments into Malaysia.

Founder and Deputy Chairman of Country Heights Group, Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, who is also Joint Co-Chairman of the Malaysia-China Business Council, said the forum will be a follow-up to Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Malaysia from Nov 10.

"We have also extended an invitation to Malaysian companies across various sectors to participate in the forum," Lee said during the media briefing today.

Among the topics that will be covered in the forum include, China's emergence as an economic powerhouse, China and Asean partnering for an Asian Century, Investment opportunities in Penang and the Chinese diaspora worldwide.

Lee said the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, in particular Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are emerging to become significant players in their respective countries and regionally.

-- BERNAMA

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