HIGHLIGHT EVENT/ACTIVITY :-

LATEST UPDATE FROM KLBC

The KLBC visited Washington and New York, USA, in April 2010. This trip was timed to coincide with Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib’s successful visit to the United Staes, during which he met with President Obama. Whilst we timed our visit in order that members could take part in Malaysian Government functions if they wished, the KLBC had its own, very substantial, series of meetings in both cities. As ‘unofficial ambassadors’ for our country, we also contributed to the overall success of what amounted to a new beginning for relations between our two countries.

The KLBC delegation, led by President Datuk Rohana Mahmood, met with senior officials from the US State Department, the Department of the Treasury, the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS), Council for Foreign Relations, US-ASEAN Business Council, Boeing Corporation, and Goldman Sachs.

The high point of the trip was the luncheon co-hosted in New York on 16 April by KLBC and the Asia Society for PM Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib. The Prime Minister was able to reach out to a packed closed-door group of top US and Malaysian business leaders. Speaking off the record, PM explained the concept of 1Malaysia, as well as the New Economic Model. The US participants appreciated his candid and engaging style, and ease with which he dealt with the Q&A session which ensued. This was a highly successful session from the Malaysian standpoint, and the PM’s office confirmed that this was a highlight of his landmark US visit.

Dato’ Johan Raslan

Datuk Rohana Tan Sri Mahmood, KLBC President held a very effective meeting with Khun Kiat Sittheemorn, President of the Thailand Trade Representative and delegation members on Monday, March 29, 2010 in KL. The Thai delegation was in KL for a series of meetings and MOU signings with the Malaysian government and private sector representatives.

The Office of the Thai Trade Representative spearheads international trade dealings and aims to improve co-ordination among the various Thai ministries. Also in the group was Dr Suthad Setbunsarng.

Datuk Rohana was accompanied by Dato' Johan Raslan, KLBC Board member and Executive Chairman of PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Mr Chin Kwai Fatt, KLBC member and Managing Director of PwC and Ms Chin Suit Fang, Senior Executive Director, PwC.

KLBC members were privileged to participate in a lunch meeting hosted by Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairman of Securities Commission (SC) on March 24, 2010, at the SC premises. This was the first time that such a meeting has been held between KLBC members and Malaysia's capital market regulator.

The 24 strong KLBC delegation was led by President, Datuk Rohana Tan Sri Mahmood.

Tan Sri Zarinah, who was accompanied by her Executive Directors, fielded all the questions raised at the event. She noted that the SC's target now is to grow the capital market by raising the level of corporate governance and responsibility among listed companies. Tan Sri also pointed out that company Board and Management have a crucial role to play in ensuring that good governance values are practised within the company so as to create value for its shareholders.

Other issues discussed included the role of Malaysia as a key Islamic financial centre and the effect on the capital market from companies being taken private