Caption: MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter said he hopes MCCC Sabah will become the most trusted partner for Sabah businesses seeking to expand into the China market.
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah (MCCC Sabah) hosted a Welcome and Networking Dinner to warmly receive the delegation from the Dalian Federation of Industry and Commerce (China).
The event brought together business leaders and representatives from major trade and industry associations across Sabah to strengthen friendship, foster collaboration, and create a broader platform for economic and trade exchanges between Dalian and Sabah while further enhancing Malaysia-China relations.
The delegation comprises business representatives from Dalian, including Liu Yong, Chairman of Dalian Kowa Foods Co., Ltd., and Zhou Jing, Founder and Chairman of Dalian Shuiyifang Group, Fredrik Choi, Vice Chairman, Liaoning General Chamber of Entrepreneurs along with other entrepreneurs.
The delegation is visiting Sabah from 27 to 30 June to participate in business networking, corporate visits and business matching sessions, with the aim of exploring new opportunities for trade, investment and economic cooperation between the two sides.
In his welcoming address, MCCC Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his appreciation for their return visit, following MCCC Sabah’s visit to Dalian in May this year.
He said the visit continues the friendship established during that trip and marks a new chapter in strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Dalian and Sabah.
Datuk Dexter said that MCCC Sabah has always been committed to promoting Malaysia-China relations, not only in trade and investment, but also in government, business, education, culture, tourism, technology and youth exchanges, with the aspiration of serving as a strong bridge connecting both countries.
He added that over the years, MCCC Sabah has built close relationships and extensive networks with the Chinese Government, provincial and municipal governments, Federations of Industry and Commerce, business associations and enterprises, as well as Malaysian government agencies, Sabah state agencies and major business organisations.
Meanwhile, Datuk Dexter Lau said the Welcome and Networking Dinner also brought together representatives from The Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia, China Graduates Alumni Association of Sabah, as well as academics from Xiamen University, adding an educational dimension to the event.
He said the gathering provided MCCC Sabah members, particularly parents, with a better understanding of China’s higher education system and study environment, while offering families considering overseas education another quality option for their children’s future studies.
He added that economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges, and educational collaboration complement one another, and expressed hope that both sides would continue to strengthen educational ties and create more opportunities for youth exchanges and academic cooperation in the future.
“Today, MCCC Sabah has grown into an important platform for Malaysia-China cooperation. We aim to be the first stop for Chinese companies looking to invest in Sabah and East Malaysia, while also serving as the most trusted partner for Sabah businesses seeking opportunities in the China market.”
Datuk Dexter noted that the dinner brought together representatives from major business chambers, multi-ethnic trade organisations, professional bodies, China alumni associations, Chinese enterprises, government departments, government-linked companies and community leaders. Among those present were representatives from the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, Sabah China Chamber of Commerce, SME Association of Malaysia (Sabah), Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals Association (SWEPA), PUMM Sabah, Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Sabah Indian Muslim Chamber of Commerce, Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce (SBCC), Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah, Malaysia Alumni Association of China Universities, Sabah Alumni Association of China Universities, China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia (Sabah Chapter), as well as academics from Xiamen University.
He said the strong turnout of distinguished guests reflected not only the warm welcome extended to the Dalian delegation, but also the importance attached by various sectors to Malaysia-China cooperation. It also demonstrated MCCC Sabah’s ability to unite stakeholders, mobilise resources and serve as an effective platform for business collaboration.
“Successful cooperation begins with mutual trust. Moving forward, MCCC Sabah will continue to play its role as a bridge between both sides, fostering closer business collaboration and creating more opportunities for mutual growth and shared prosperity.”
He expressed hope that the visit would serve as a new starting point for closer cooperation, leading to more business exchanges, investment partnerships and project collaborations between Dalian and Sabah.
Later, Liu Yong, Chairman of Dalian Kowa Foods Co., Ltd., describing Dalian as one of China’s earliest coastal cities to benefit from the country’s reform and opening-up policy, as well as a key hub for China’s marine economy.
He said Dalian has a well-developed marine fisheries and seafood processing industry. Its seafood sector plays a pivotal role in the Chinese market, while the city is also one of China’s largest seafood production bases.
Mr. Liu noted that in May this year, Datuk Dexter Lau Wei Dick led an MCCC Sabah delegation to Dalian, where they held productive exchanges with local food and seafood processing companies, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration between both sides.
He added that the delegation’s return visit to Sabah aims to gain a deeper understanding of Sabah’s abundant natural resources and industrial strengths, with the hope of translating the outcomes of previous discussions into concrete collaborative projects that will deliver mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
Among the distinguished guests present at the dinner were Dr. Zhu Xinglong, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu; Honorary President of MCCC Sabah Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Deputy Permanent Secretary I (Industry) at the Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Sabah (MINDET) HJ. Suhaib bin Datuk Hj. Ismail, Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Datuk Victor Kou, President of SWEPA Betty Epin, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Julinus Jeffrey Jimit、President of the SME Sabah Dr Deledda Tan, Chairperson of PUMM Sabah Dolly Chin、President of The Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia Lim Kok Yan, President of China Graduates Alumni Association of Sabah Teo Jinn Jiun; as well as business leaders and distinguished members of the community.
Photo 2: Chairman of Dalian Kowa Foods Co., Ltd., Liu Yong, delivers his speech at the Welcome and Networking Dinner. (IMG194247)
Photo 3: From right: Shawn Tan, Treasurer of MCCC Sabah; Dr. Deledda Tan, President of the SME Association of Malaysia (Sabah); Yong Wei Hau, Deputy Director of Public Relations Director of MCCC Sabah; Datuk Victor Kou, President of the Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI); Datuk Dexter Lau, President of MCCC Sabah; Dr. Zhu Xinglong, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu; Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Honorary President of MCCC Sabah; Liu Yong, Chairman of Dalian Kowa Foods Co., Ltd.; HJ. Suhaib bin Datuk Hj. Ismail, Deputy Permanent Secretary I (Industry), Ministry of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Sabah (MINDET); and Louis Su, Vice President of MCCC Sabah, pose for a group photo. (IMG 4682)
Photo 4: The Welcome and Networking Dinner was attended by a full house, with representatives from business associations, chambers of commerce, government agencies and various sectors in Sabah gathering for a lively evening of networking and exchanges. (IMG4681)
