STRENGTHENING THAI-MALAYSIAN TRADE AND INVESTMENT TIES AT THE MALAYSIA-CHINA SUMMIT 2024
The Malaysia-China Summit 2024 Networking Engagement Series took place in Bangkok, Thailand on 17 July 2024. Guests gained valuable insights into the summit’s extensive benefits for Thai industries, which will enable them to expand their trade and investment networks across Southeast Asia and China.
MCS 2024 Commissioner-General Dato’ Dr. Tan Yew Chong said Thai businesses should seize the opportunity to engage with over 500 exhibitors and 10,000 trade delegates from Malaysia, China, and ASEAN.
Additionally, they can benefit from business matching opportunities, industry forums, pocket talks, networking, and knowledge sharing at the summit to foster regional collaborations and cooperation.
Dr. Tan also emphasised that Thai industries, especially those in digital technology, AI, renewable energy, electric mobility, commodities, global services, tourism, education, regional connectivity infrastructure, electronics, healthcare and medical tourism, advanced manufacturing, F&B, halal industry, franchise operations, culture, and tourism, will find abundant collaboration and growth opportunities at the summit.
With the theme “Prosperity Beyond 50,” the summit will feature a three-day International Trade and Investment Expo and a two-day Leadership Conference. These events will be anchored by five thematic pillars: Future Tech, Future Knowledge and Experience, Future Mobility & Connectivity, Future Growth, and Future Opportunity, focusing on over 20 key sectors vital to regional economic growth.
MCS 2024 is organised by Qube Integrated Malaysia in association with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and marks the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. It also aims to foster regional cooperation and showcase ASEAN’s collective strengths, aligning with Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. The summit will take place from 17 to 19 December 2024 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Trade Commissioner of MATRADE Bangkok, Mr. Mohamed Hafiz Md Shariff, spoke on the unprecedented opportunities for businesses to engage, collaborate, and explore new growth avenues with counterparts from Malaysia, China, and ASEAN.
“Thai businesses can expand their market reach, forge strategic partnerships, and gain insights into emerging trends and technologies,” he said. The summit aims to unlock at least RM2 billion in potential trade and investment opportunities, providing vast prospects for Thai industries to innovate and diversify their portfolios.
Guest-of-Honour, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel who delivered the keynote address, invited Thai industries to strengthen bilateral trade with Malaysia, in line with the shared goal of achieving USD 30 billion in total trade by 2027.
“This ambitious target reflects our strong commitment to expanding economic cooperation and exploring new investment opportunities,” he said, emphasising it as a compelling reason for Thai industries to participate in the summit.
Highlighting the robust bilateral trade relations, the Ambassador noted that Thailand is Malaysia’s fourth-largest global trading partner and its second largest within ASEAN, while Malaysia is Thailand’s largest trading partner within ASEAN.
The MCS 2024 networking series in Bangkok saw the attendance of about 150 guests from the public and private sectors. Speakers included the Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce Honorary Chairman Mr. Yeap Swee Chuan and Athena Pang of AirAsia, the official airline partner for MCS 2024.
Strategic partners for the summit include Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Malaysia-China Business Council, National Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce, China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Malaysia, MAYCHAM China, ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Persatuan Muafakat One Belt One Road. Media partners are Bernama, The Star, and Sin Chew Daily.