CKGSB and UTAR host ASEAN-RCEP Leadership Programme for China business leaders

The Institute of Management and Leadership Development (IMLD) at UTAR collaborated with the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) to host the “ASEAN-RCEP Leadership Programme – Malaysia Module” from 26 to 28 June 2024. This course, held at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, brought together business leaders and experts to share their insights on the Malaysian markets.

The CKGSB ASEAN-RCEP Leadership Programme, which was launched five years ago, has successfully attracted hundreds of successful entrepreneurs from China. Designed for those interested in exploring ASEAN markets and investment opportunities, this programme focused on fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between China and the ASEAN region. The Malaysia Module was designed based on CKGSB’s Glocal (global+local) Entrepreneur Core Competence Model, offering a comprehensive framework to understand Malaysia’s attractiveness as a destination for overseas expansion and investment.

Prof Dr Li Wei, Professor of Economics at CKGSB and Academic Director of the ASEAN Leadership Programme, and Prof Dr Cheng Ming Yu, Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Director of IMLD, and Chairperson of the Belt and Road Strategic Research Centre at UTAR, warmly welcomed participants and introduced the team members to kick start the programme. The programme featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and engaging sessions.

Prof Li (left) and Prof Cheng welcoming the CKGSB class

The first session was delivered by Prof Dr Ong Kian Ming, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Taylor’s University and former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry. Prof Ong highlighted Malaysia’s strategic advantages, challenges, and opportunities for investment in Malaysia. Following this, Ms Lim Bee Vian, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, spoke on “Investment Opportunities in Malaysia”, explaining the policy advocacy and the 2024 investment strategy. She also discussed Malaysia’s investment performance, the electric vehicle (EV) landscape, and the unique value propositions that make Malaysia an attractive destination for investors. The third speaker, Assoc Prof Dr Chin Chong Foh, the Deputy Dean of the UTAR Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) discussed “The Development of Multi-Ethnic Society and the Political System in Malaysia”. Dr Chin provided a historical overview of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society, the impact of British colonial rule, the political development of Malay society, and the contemporary social environment under Malaysia’s political system.

From left: Prof Ong, Ms Lim and Dr Chin

One of the highlights of the CKGSB ASEAN-RCEP Leadership Programme was the Business Leaders Roundtable Dialogue. Supported by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), the dialogue session invited outstanding business leaders from Malaysia to interact with CKGSB participants. The objective was to facilitate meaningful discussions and collaborations, explore potential investment and partnership opportunities, as well as to enhance mutual understanding between Malaysian and China business leaders.

Another highlight was the welcome dinner session, featuring speeches by distinguished guests. These included Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia H.E. Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, ACCCIM Life Honourable President Tan Sri Datuk Ter Leong Yap, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Prof Li Wei and CKGSB Programme Director Mr Li Zhi.

Clockwise, from top left: H.E Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Mr Li, Prof Li and Tan Sri Ter

Front row, fourth from left: CKGSB Class Director Ms Liu Bing, Prof Cheng, UTAR Vice President Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min, Mr Li Zhi, ACCCIM Secretary General Dato’ Tan Tian Meng, Prof Li, H.E. Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, Prof Dato’ Ewe, Tan Sri Ter, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia Mr Chen Youliang, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Vice President Mr Kevin Siah, ACCCIM Vice-Chairman of Young Entrepreneurs Committee Dato’ Jeffrey Lai Jiun Jye, CKGSB Course Design Ms Sun Xiaojing and Mr Eric Choo with Malaysian business leaders and participants

On 27 June 2024, participants had the privilege of engaging in a comprehensive discussion with Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, the chairman of Bursa Malaysia. He elaborated on Malaysia’s conducive investment climate, emphasising the appeal for both Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Portfolio Investments. Additionally, Tan Sri Wahid provided an insightful update on Malaysia’s capital markets. In a subsequent session, Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai, Chairman of the Malaysian Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA), presented an overview of both the global and Malaysian semiconductor sectors. He highlighted Malaysia’s critical role in the global semiconductor supply chain and discussed the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), aimed at developing a strategic plan to enhance the ecosystem and attract strategic investments to advance up the value chain. The discussion also covered the impact of geopolitical tensions on the semiconductor industry.

Tan Sri Wahid (left) and Dato’ Seri Wong (right)

On the afternoon of 27 June 2024, the participants visited the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to learn about potential investment and collaboration opportunities in the palm oil industry. They were warmly welcomed by the Director General of MPOB, Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Hj Ghulam Kadir. The group toured the Oil Palm Gallery to understand the various upstream and downstream products of palm oil. Following the tour, MPOB experts delivered informative talks on the Malaysian oil palm industry and various applications of palm oil in both food and non-food sectors. The visit concluded with a productive discussion chaired by Mr Johari Minal, Director of the Economics and Industry Development Division.

Front row, sixth from left: Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Hj Ghulam Kadir and Mr Johari Minal

On the final day, 28 June 2024, the focus was on deepening knowledge of local business operations and experience sharing by industry leaders in Malaysia. Participants explored the Halal industry with Mr Hairol Ariffein Sahari, the CEO of Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC), who explained Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem, identifying gaps and opportunities in the global Halal economy.

Other notable speakers included Dr Chia Song Kun, the executive chairman of QL Resources Berhad, who shared insights on building a business from humble beginnings, wisdom in business management, entrepreneurial spirit, QL spirit and steady growth principles. He also discussed current business opportunities in Malaysia, recommendations for investing in Malaysia, and governance and succession in family businesses.

Datuk Koong Lin Loong, the managing partner of Reanda LLKG International, provided an overview of Malaysia’s policies and investment guidelines, basic tax regulations, and incentive policies, supported by case studies on key points for foreign investors.

Lastly, Mr Li Pengfei, the deputy general manager of Vtalent Business Sdn Bhd (vivo Malaysia), discussed the corporate culture of vivo and vivo Malaysia, and provided an analysis of the Malaysian market, consumers, partners, and employees from the perspective of vivo’s mission. Participants learned valuable insights from vivo’s successful establishment in Malaysia.

Clockwise, from top left: Mr Hairol, Dr Chia, Mr Li and Datuk Koong

The programme concluded with a reflection session led by Prof Li Wei, followed by a certificate presentation by Prof Li Wei and Prof Cheng.

TThe ASEAN-RCEP Leadership Programme – Malaysia Module represented a significant platform for China and Malaysian business leaders to connect, learn and collaborate. The programme effectively unlocked new investment opportunities and strengthened economic ties within the ASEAN framework.

About CKGSB

Founded in 2002, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is China’s first and leading privately-funded, research-driven business school. CKGSB boasts a network of over 20,000 alumni, more than half of whom hold Chairman and CEO-level positions. Notable alumni include Jack Ma (founder of Alibaba), Colin Zheng Huang (founder of PDD), Will Wei Cheng (founder of Didi), and Kelly Nan Zhang (CEO of Bytedance China). The faculty comprises world-renowned professors, many of whom hold tenured positions at the world’s top business schools.o:p>

For more information about CKGSB, visit its official website.