Adapt to changes, Chinese businessmen told
The Chinese community must actively promote the economic self-improvement movement. The Chinese, are highly versatile economic wizards, highly motivated, unrestrained and have a high degree of self-confidence.
SIBU: The Chinese business community here have been urged to discard their oldfashioned concept in managing their commercial activities and to acquire new business knowledge.
Minister of International Trade and E- Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who gave the advice, said some businesses have realized the need of reform and have started to implement the strategies of large enterprises.
He was speaking at a dinner hosted by Sarawak Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Sarawak Sibu Division Building & Civil Engineering Contractors Association and Sibu Carpenters & Masons Association recently.
The three were celebrating their 45th, 65th and 70th anniversary respectively.
Wong, who is also the Second Finance Minister, urged the
Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce
business community to tap the many opportunities available following the Asia- Pacific economic boom, the government’s opening up policy and the development trend brought about by the China’s One Belt and One Road programme.
“The Chinese community must actively promote the economic self-improvement movement. The Chinese, are highly versatile economic wizards, highly motivated, unrestrained and have a high degree of self-confidence.
“I believe everyone will be able to rejuvenate himself, learn to emulate, explore and try to make every effort to meet the challenges of the new era,” he stated.
While congratulating the three associations for celebrating their respective anniversaries, he acknowledged their contributions to Sibu over the last few decades.
“You have been playing an active role in the infrastructure and housing industries, as well as contributing to the beautification and greening of Sibu,” he said.
Wong appreciated the difficulties in the construction industry in Sibu where 73 per cent of the land is low-lying and on swampy grounds, resulting in lesser effectiveness in infrastructure and housing construction and a corresponding increase in construction costs.
“Apart from the builders, the local council also faces various problems,” he pointed out, saying after the developers have completed the construction, they have to hand over the housing and commercial shops to the council.
“Maintenance costs have become a big burden. Therefore, both sides are facing great dilemma. In particular, the weakening of the ringgit, the rising prices of construction materials and even the direct price hikes in recent years have sometimes led to slow construction because some prices of materials have risen too fast.
“There are also problems over shortage of gravel.
“In addition, housing development applications and sales licenses are often delayed, resulting in a slowdown in construction.
“All these are problems developers in Sibu and those in the civil engineering and construction industries are facing.
“In my opinion, the most important thing is to cooperate with the government and everyone should start negotiations and create a good economic and social environment,” Wong suggested.