KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian businesses should step up effort to explore the vast investment opportunities in South Africa, and to boost bilateral trade relations, in order to better capture the huge market of the African continent, said Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia. (Huazong).
Noting that all these years, Malaysia and South Africa have maintained a close bilateral trade relations, he thus opined that such a positive trend should be further enhanced and boosted.
He expressed this during the courtesy call by Dave Malcomson, High Commissioner of South Africa to Malaysia, and his delegation, at Wisma Huazong here, recently. Malcomson and his delegation also toured the Malaysian Chinese Museum which is housed there, besides having a cordial and constructive discussion with Goh and various Huazong leaders, during the courtesy call. Also present at the occasion were, Jabu Msibi, first secretary (Political Division) of South African High Commission Malaysia, *Namjoo Tan*, Huazong Advisor cum Asia Special Ambassador for South Africa Pinotage Wine Region and Tourism Association, Huazong Central Committee member cum President of Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall, Piong Yew Peng, Central Committee members Datuk Dr Hoo Ch’ng Pow, Goh Han Koon, and Oh Kian Kiong, Huazong Youth Vice Chief *Eken Wong Ngai Keen*, Youth Vice Secretary *B.K. Lok* , Huazong Women Vice Secretary *Gan Siok Har* , and Huazong Economic Development Bureau Chief *Sh’venncs Chin*, among others.
Goh, who is also President of The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) noted that Malaysia first established comprehensive diplomatic relations with South Africa on 8 November, 1993. Malaysia was also among the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with South Africa, after the apartheid regime ended. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Malaysia and South Africa’s diplomatic relations.
He said Huazong too hoped to conduct a study tour of South Africa, at opportune time, to explore potential collaborations with its South African counterparts, in various sectors including culture and trade.
He also encouraged Malaysian businessmen to explore and penetrate the vast African market via South Africa, citing that Africa which is the second largest continent in the world, comprises more than 50 nations, with a combined population of more than 1.4 billion, and it was projected to reach 2,5 billion by 2050.
He further noted that the entire Africa, South Africa included, possessed vast natural resources and in the recent years, had been boosting their infrastructure developments, hence presenting a huge investment and development opportunities for businesses from Malaysia.
Meanwhile, in his briefing, Malcomson also invited Malaysian businessmen to invest in South Africa, and assured that he would give his full support and cooperation in this aspect.
He also announced that the South African High Commission in Malaysia in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will be jointly organising the international Nelson Mandela Day celebration, in the middle of this year, to honour the former South African President’s commitment to human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation. He thus invited members of the public to actively come forward to participate in the said prograsm, which will be centered around ‘environmental conservation’.
Earlier, he also commended Huazong for its excellent management of the Malaysian Chinese Museum, which featured an excellent exhibition of the historical records of Malaysian Chinese community and its significant contribution towards the development of a multiracial Malaysia.-pr/BNN
