ASEAN Chamber Hopes To Meet Jakarta Governor On Property Projects

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- ASEAN Chamber of Commerce President Moehamad Izat Emir has expressed hope for a meeting with Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan next month to discuss prospects for property development projects in which the chamber can play a role. Speaking to Bernama Tuesday, Moehamad Izat said should the meeting proceed, the discussions would focus on the construction of houses, apartments, factories and hospitals. "We hope to have a discussion with him, and look at what he is interested in, and (Indonesian) property developers will be the first people who we are interested in for building the houses, apartments, factories, and particularly hospitals. "We can also buy products to fill up the hospitals, like hospital equipment, pharmaceutical products, and many more," said the veteran businessman. Moehamad Izat was actively involved in the Malay Chamber of Commerce for 17 years and the Malaysian Malay Entrepreneurs and Merchants' Association (Perdasama) for 19 years. Given the robust economic growth seen in Indonesia, Moehamad Izat also extended a welcome to talents from the country to visit Malaysia and learn from each other. "Indonesia today is not the Indonesia before, their economy has been growing very fast," he said. Moehamad Izat said the meeting with Anies, if successful, would be in conjunction with the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce business delegation's visit to the Halal International Exhibition, scheduled to be held in Jakarta from June 27-30, 2019. He said the delegation would also make a courtesy call on the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Established on April 17, 2018, the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce aims to promote cooperation in the economy and trade of ASEAN countries, foster economic , social and cultural connectivity through trading in ASEAN countries, and improve the economic status of ASEAN entrepreneurs. Currently, the chamber consists of about 200 members from 10 ASEAN countries, and Moehamad Izat hoped the number would grow to 500 by year-end. Meanwhile, he said he believed Malaysia would become more than just an Asian Tiger, or perhaps the Lion of Asia in the future, given the development that the country has seen so far. He expressed confidence that investors are still keen on doing business in Malaysia, although the RAM Business Confidence Index (BCI), which polled 3,500 firms in Malaysia, showed weaker business sentiment was expected for the first half of the year. According to the RAM BCI released in January, the statistics showed corporate and small and medium enterprise (SME) indices fell to 55.1 and 51 respectively, the lowest points since the index started in 2017. "There is a large variety of business communities all over the world seeking opportunities to do business, so when they look at Malaysia, the one-time Asian Tiger, they should view that as an opportunity, and fill the gap. "So I strongly believe that Malaysia will be better than the Asian Tiger, we will be the Lion of Asia, it is just a matter of time, we all have to have the confidence," he said. On the performance of the Pakatan Harapan government, which took over the country’s leadership on May 9 last year, he said Malaysians should give the inexperienced ministers a chance to prove themselves. "With now only one year in government, in my opinion, give them opportunities to do so, but they also must correct their weaknesses and mistakes. "But if they just want people to give them opportunities but they have done nothing, then it is not very good," he added. -- BERNAMA