DAVOS, Jan 24 (Bernama) — The 1Malaysia spirit shown by the Malaysian government, private sector and non-governmental organisation (NGO) delegates at the 45th World Economic Forum here have put the Malaysia brand squarely on the world stage.
Although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had to cut short his proceedings at the WEF this time to pay his last respects to Saudi Arabia’s
King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who passed away early on Friday, the other Malaysian delegates worked hard to ensure Malaysia’s objectives at WEF were met.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said although it was his eighth WEF participation, the response to brand Malaysia this time around was extraordinary.
“This time there was good cooperation among government, private sector and NGO delegates enabling us to achieve extraordinary success at the WEF,” he told Malaysian journalists after Friday’s ‘Malaysia Night’ featuring Malaysian cuisine and cultural performances.
Mustapa said Malaysia had managed to convince investors to continue to invest in the country as part of efforts to raise its profile as an important investment destination in the Asean region.
The Prime Minister’s clarifications on the nation’s economic situation convinced the international community that Malaysia has the potential to become the gateway to Asean, particularly with its chairmanship of the regional grouping this year.
At a business luncheon on Thursday, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, highlighted the region’s potential for continuous economic growth and Malaysia’s strategic location as a gateway to a market of 620 million people.
The luncheon was attended by some 100 participants including captains of industry from 55 multinational corporations with a market capitalisation of between US$2 trillion and US$4 trillion as well as 39 local corporate leaders.
The latter group included Khazanah Nasional Managing Director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, PNB Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd Chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, Axiata President and CEO Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and UEM Group Chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali.
“The Malaysia Night attracted some 1,500 guests from various countries, surpassing our initial target of 1,000 people.
“WEF delegates numbered about 3,000, so half of them attended our function, showing how great the Malaysia brand was at Davos,” he said.
The night featured popular Malaysian dishes such as sate, nasi briyani, rendang, sambal udang and nasi lemak besides teh tarik prepared by Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre chefs, as well as traditional Malaysian dances representing the country’s cultural diversity including zapin and gendang.
The presence of renowned Kelantan-born fashion designer Zang Toi, Master Chef United Kingdom 2014 winner Ping Coombes and a video recording of world squash number one Datuk Nicol David were seen as an endorsement of the government’s efforts.
Mustapa said the foreign media’s unusual coverage of Malaysia this year also raised the nation’s profile, not only as the Asean chair but also its potential for the future on the international stage.
Although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had to cut short his proceedings at the WEF this time to pay his last respects to Saudi Arabia’s
King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who passed away early on Friday, the other Malaysian delegates worked hard to ensure Malaysia’s objectives at WEF were met.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said although it was his eighth WEF participation, the response to brand Malaysia this time around was extraordinary.
“This time there was good cooperation among government, private sector and NGO delegates enabling us to achieve extraordinary success at the WEF,” he told Malaysian journalists after Friday’s ‘Malaysia Night’ featuring Malaysian cuisine and cultural performances.
Mustapa said Malaysia had managed to convince investors to continue to invest in the country as part of efforts to raise its profile as an important investment destination in the Asean region.
The Prime Minister’s clarifications on the nation’s economic situation convinced the international community that Malaysia has the potential to become the gateway to Asean, particularly with its chairmanship of the regional grouping this year.
At a business luncheon on Thursday, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, highlighted the region’s potential for continuous economic growth and Malaysia’s strategic location as a gateway to a market of 620 million people.
The luncheon was attended by some 100 participants including captains of industry from 55 multinational corporations with a market capitalisation of between US$2 trillion and US$4 trillion as well as 39 local corporate leaders.
The latter group included Khazanah Nasional Managing Director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, PNB Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd Chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, Axiata President and CEO Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim, AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and UEM Group Chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali.
“The Malaysia Night attracted some 1,500 guests from various countries, surpassing our initial target of 1,000 people.
“WEF delegates numbered about 3,000, so half of them attended our function, showing how great the Malaysia brand was at Davos,” he said.
The night featured popular Malaysian dishes such as sate, nasi briyani, rendang, sambal udang and nasi lemak besides teh tarik prepared by Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre chefs, as well as traditional Malaysian dances representing the country’s cultural diversity including zapin and gendang.
The presence of renowned Kelantan-born fashion designer Zang Toi, Master Chef United Kingdom 2014 winner Ping Coombes and a video recording of world squash number one Datuk Nicol David were seen as an endorsement of the government’s efforts.
Mustapa said the foreign media’s unusual coverage of Malaysia this year also raised the nation’s profile, not only as the Asean chair but also its potential for the future on the international stage.