Sabah-China Symposium opens up business opportunities

KOTA KINABALU: The first Sabah China Symposium and Workshop organised by the China-Aid Alumni of Malaysia (CAAAM) which started yesterday March 4 is a step towards opening up a world of opportunities for Sabahans to develop relationships with their counterparts from the People’s Republic of China.

Chairman of CAAAM Zaklean Ansari Zambri in her speech at the opening ceremony of the event, which was officiated by the Consul General of The People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu Chen Peijie, said that she was humbled and proud to be able to bring the symposium to her homeland Sabah.

Zaklean, who has participated in numerous programs in China, believes that participation in CAAAM initiatives and the Chinese government sponsored programs greatly benefits fellow Sabahans.

“The people of Sabah are in a unique position to forge close ties with China. Our Sabahan warmth and sincerity is always received by our Chinese counterparts,” she said, adding that it is usually simply the lack of understanding of their ways that sometimes become a barrier.

She said that the exposure Sabahans would get from events such as the symposium would serve to refine their understanding of China, break the barrier and equip them with all they need to work well with their counterparts in China.

The symposium kicked off with a dynamic presentation on Malaysia-China relations by President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association (MCFA) and former Malaysia Ambassador to China Datuk Majid Ahmad Khan.

His session gave valuable insight into building trust and neighbourly ties with China.

It was followed by talks on Understanding the Business Environment and Business Opportunities, Halal market in China and Confucius in the 21st Century. Participants also witnessed the signing of two Memorandum of Understanding between China and Sabah businesses.

The Mo Us were geared to contribute towards Sabah’s already growing popularity as a tourist destination, especially among the Chinese by creating infrastructure to attract more Chinese Muslims to Sabah.

CAAAM intends to organise more activities in Sabah throughout the year under the ‘Understanding China’ lecture series and Alumni exchange programs.

The association is confident that the knowledge and information flow from these activities will contribute greatly to robust growth in Sabah’s people to people ties and bilateral trade with China.