By Alang Bendahara
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 — The Selangor government continues to show its ability to maintain its lead as the country’s economic powerhouse by organising the hybrid Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2021.
Former deputy minister of international trade and industry (Miti) Dr Ong Kian Ming lauded the state-organised SIBS and Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC) 2021 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here.
“I think this is a testimony of the continued innovation by the Selangor state government under the leadership of the Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, and state executive councillor for trade and investment Dato’ Teng Chang Khim to create innovative ways of doing this kind of seminar where it is both physical and virtual.
“I think this is the trend going forward, and I am sure there will be a lot of activities of this nature that the state government will organise in the future,” he said after moderating a panel session of the SABC, today.
Dr Ong, who is also Bangi MP, hosted a session titled Innovate Asean — Fostering Collaboration and Creating New Economic Opportunities.
Members of the panel were Telkomsel Indonesia president commissioner Wishnutama Kusubandio, Pemandu Associates president and chairman Datuk Idris Jala, and Singapore City Developments Limited chief sustainability officer Esther An.
Commenting on the session, Ong said governments in Asean must engage more with corporate sectors to understand their needs.
“Governments need to understand the opportunities and challenges of working with the private sector and identify their pinpoints so that they can be more responsive in facilitating what the private sector can do best.
“Also, governments can improve on how they can do the work of the government better so that there can be positive collaboration from both sides,” he said.
Dr Ong also said the panel had raised the need for more political will by Asean countries to reduce non-tariff barriers so that businesses and communities can prosper and receive more benefits.
