HIGHLIGHT EVENT/ACTIVITY :-

LATEST UPDATE FROM KLBC

The Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC) hosted a dinner in honour of Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) and delegation in Kuala Lumpur on 27 July 2010.

KLBC President Datuk Rohana Tan Sri Mahmood and other Board Members welcomed the Ambassador and his delegation where they were served cocktail drinks prior to dinner. They then proceeded to savour the five-course western cuisine specially prepared by Alexis’ chef.

Others present at the dinner were Assistant USTR for Asia-Pacific and Pharmaceutical Policy Barbara Weisel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade and Investment Policy Sharon H Yuan, Treasury Director Mary Beasely, Acting Ambassador Robert Rapson and Embassy Economic Counselor Paul Brown.

Other KLBC Board Members present were Deputy President Tengku Datuk Zafrul Tengku Aziz, Honorary Treasurer Sandra Wong and Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.

Also present were Institute of Strategic and International Studies’ Chief Executive Dato Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin and Special Officer to the Malaysian Finance Minister Datuk Hardev Kaur.

The event was held to discuss on trade and economic issues between Malaysia and US. Both parties also discussed on the US economy and current global economic scenario.

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.