KUALA LUMPUR: China entrepreneurs here can play a role in pushing for greater Malaysia-China cooperation against the backdrop of the Belt and Road Initiative, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

The MCA president said he anticipated more corporations and businessmen from China to invest in Malaysia in the near future.

“As for MCA, our Belt and Road Centre recently introduced its 2.0 project, which featured a five-point action plan.

“Among the five points are nurturing young entrepreneurs, encouraging SMEs to go global and policy coordination,” he said at China Entrepreneurs’ Association in Malaysia’s (PUCM) second anniversary and Chinese New Year celebration here yesterday.

Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail graced the event, which was also attended by Chinese embassy’s Minister Coun­sel­lor Chen Chen, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah, Malay Traders and Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia (Perdasama) president Tan Sri Matshah Safuan and Malaysia-China Friendship Association president Datuk Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan.

Liow, who is also Transport Minister, added that Malaysia is aiming for a 40% public transportation modal share by 2030.

He was responding to Chen’s speech earlier, who said he took five hours to get back to Kuala Lumpur from Melaka during the Chinese New Year holiday.

Chen cited the massive Chinese rail network as a reliable and effective choice to people’s travel needs.

Meanwhile, PUCM president Datuk Keith Li said PUCM was the first China entrepreneurs’ association to walk into the Malay community by visiting Perlis.

Their visit took them from the palace to the local state government, business community and university campus, as well as local community and orphanage.

“We cycled with Tuanku Raja Muda, promoting and presenting the goodwill and good image of China entrepreneurs and companies,” he said.

For 2018, Li said PUCM planned to host a Tun Razak Friendship Golf Challenge together with Perdasama and visit other states to explore investment opportunities and to interact with local communities, among others.

In Port Klang earlier, at the joint discussion among the Finance Ministry, Customs Department and Transport Ministry at Wisma Port Klang, Liow said with the cooperation among the relevant ministries and agencies, the country will successfully become a regional logistic hub.

-The Star-