MICCI Sabah learns more roles of ministry
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MICCI) Sabah called on Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Industrial Development Sabah to learn more about the Ministry of Industrial Development’s (MID) roles, programmes and assistances in helping the revival of businesses in Sabah.
According to Joachim, his ministry has a series of programmes facilitating SMEs and businesses in Sabah. Besides the One District One Industry programme and the State Economic Advisory Council, the ministry is putting in place a council for entrepreneurs to promote entrepreneurship among the youth in Sabah and the Invest Sabah Berhad to facilitate more foreign and domestic direct investments into Sabah. He added that more collective efforts and participations from higher learning institutions, NGOs, private and public sectors are essential to expedite these programmes more effectively.
He also encouraged more cooperation and collaboration among the business entities in Sabah in order to achieve greater economic growth for the State. Moreover, suggestion of an element of “mentoring porgrammes” for potential and good quality entrepreneurs will be considered by the ministry.
The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted on businesses in Sabah and it was deliberated and discussed during the call. All agreed that the MCO 2.0 would further jeopardise businesses in Sabah, especially those in the F&B, retail and tourism related businesses.
Joachim reckoned and encouraged businesses in Sabah to adapt to doing businesses under the “new norm” and to venturing into new form of businesses or digitalise their businesses.
The chairman of MICCI Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Wong Khen Thau briefed the minister on MICCI Sabah’s roles in the business community in Sabah and MICCI Sabah will be working closely with the ministry in promoting economic growth for the State. The minister encouraged business-related NGOs and chambers of commerce such as MICCI to advocate changing of ‘mindset’ on entrepreneurship among the youth in the State.
Wong added that MID is playing an important role in industrialisation of the State whilst the ministry deserves greater allocation of more budget in areas such as upgrading of infrastructures including those of internet connectivity and logistics, which ultimately reducing costs of doing business in Sabah.
He then introduced MICCI to Joachim as the Malaysia’s longest established national trade association (founded 1837 in Penang) and has a membership more than 900 companies and business entities nationwide, which have equity representation from over 30 of the major trading nations of the world, including Malaysia.
Member companies jointly employ in excess of 500,000 people and members’ net worth is over RM120 billion (as of June 2014).
The major role of MICCI is to facilitate and support companies in their goal to successfully develop their businesses in Malaysia and to engage governments (Federal and State) to continue to ensure the development and implementation of a robust regulatory framework, conducive to a healthy business environment”.
Wong invited Joachim to officiate open the new office of MICCI Sabah, at The Peak Vista Shopflex, Block B, Lorong Puncak 1, Tanjung Lipat after the MCO 2.0.
Also present during the courtesy call were Ministry of Industrial Development Sabah deputy permanent secretary Tseu Kei Yue, Department of Industrial Development and Research Sabah director Tommy Philip, MICCI Sabah honorary advisor rig Gen Datuk A. Arulpragasam, MICCI Sabah vice chairman Datuk Lee Swi Heng, MICCI Sabah vice chairman II Datuk Susan Chang, MICCI Sabah executive committee Hajah Rosmawati Hj Lasuki and MICCI Sabah branch manager Stella Liew.