KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 15, 2009: The European Union-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EU-MCCI) recognises enterprises which made significant contributions towards initiating and sustaining trade and investment between Malaysia and Europe through its prestigious Europa Awards.
The award for the highest excellence trade/investment into the European Union (EU) by a Malaysian investor was won by Mayflower Acme Tours. The award for long-term excellence in EU-Malaysia trade/investment was won by Standard Chartered Bank.
“In establishing the Europa Awards, we have wanted to keep things short, sharp and exclusive. Hence we have initially allotted three categories of awards. This, we believe makes our awards more remarkable, said Jones.
However, only two awards will be given out this year as the submissions received did not match the high standards excellence expected for the trade/investment into Malaysia by a European company category.
The awards were opened to all EUMCCI member companies and the judging procedure was conducted by independent auditor Horwath Chartered Accountants and an independent selection committee.
On the award winning companies, Jones said Mayflower has shown substantial expansion. The tour company has impressed the judges by presenting a revenue source of over 60% from the overseas market. Having won many awards in the past, Mayflower also achieved consistent growth while having low staff turnover.
Meanwhile, Standard Chartered Bank which has been operating in Malaysia for 134 years has shown consistent return on investments (ROI) of 23%, 30% and 34% in 2006, 2007 and 2008 respectively. The bank also adopted excellent employment practices and demonstrated its commitment towards business sustainability.
Urging local investors to look beyond traditional European markets, Jones said that the potential in the smaller 27 member EU states is waiting to be tapped.
“They have got technology, good skill sets and experience but are not very aggressive in marketing themselves outside the European context,” he said adding that Malaysia should take advantage of its position as an important business partner within the Asean framework – which has a population of 575 million and a gross domestic product of USD 1.2 trillion (RM4.22 trillion).
“The time is now to attract smaller, less well-known European multinationals (MNCs) to come in. Given its land, infrastructure and human and natural resources, Malaysia has the capability to be a regional hub just as successfully as Singapore.”
“By inviting these smaller firms into the country, you are encouraging trade. Eventually, you’ll have a huge cluster of MNCs that will, in turn, create a cluster of human resources expertise and supporting industries. In the long run, these clusters will ultimately have a natural tendency to attract more MNCs to come in,” Jones said.
The event, which also highlights the Europe Day celebrated on 9th of May, was graced by the presence of YB Mustapa Mohamed, the Minister of International Trade and Industry. The entertainment was provided by an orchestra composed of 23 Malaysian musicians who performed a wide array of famous European classical masterpieces.
Background Information on EUMCCI
EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI) is a non-profit private sector organization with more than 1100 corporations as members in Malaysia. Members of EUMCCI are Bilateral Chambers and Business Councils and European or European-related companies through business councils or directly. Its mission is to promote, support and develop EU business interests in Malaysia as well as facilitate trade, commerce and investments between EU and Malaysia. EUMCCI objectives are to:
• develop and enhance EU position and image in Malaysia
• engage in High profile advocacy/dialogue with Institutions, Government representing the EU business community
• promote and market EU technologies, SMEs products and services in Malaysia
• facilitate the bilateral trade and investments between EU and Malaysia
• facilitate the dialogue between the European private sector and Malaysian government
For more information, please visit http://www.eumcci.com
For media enquiries, please contact Geetha Veerasany at geetha@eumcci.com / tel 03-21626298 or Cynthia Lee at cynthia.lee@sprg.com.my / tel 03-23805988
