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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jean Wong
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Malaysia, U.S. Business Leaders Support Greater Bilateral Engagement
Private Sector Encouraged by Increased Dialogue Between Governments
(Kuala Lumpur, and Washington, DC) Malaysian and U.S. private sector participants in the annual Malaysia-US Business Dialogue have expressed their strong support for greater cooperation between Malaysia and the U.S. The organizers of this annual Dialogue, the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) and the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), canvassed private sector representatives in both countries to seek their opinions on trends in the bilateral relationship since the terrorist attacks on September 11 in New York City and Washington, D.C.
“Following September 11, and the negative repercussions on global economic growth, it is more important than ever that the channels of trade and commerce are kept open. That places a premium on our relationships and communication with friends in the ten ASEAN countries,” said US-ASEAN Business Council President Ernest Z. Bower. “We know that the effort to build partnerships will depend on the support of our friends, employees, and partners around the world. U.S. companies doing business in Malaysia invest in people and communities, and build real relationships. The U.S. takes deep satisfaction in its strong ties with Malaysia as we face the common economic challenges ahead.
Bower added, “Malaysia is an important partner for the United States. Over 300 U.S. companies have operations in Malaysia, and Malaysia is our 12th largest trading partner. The U.S. and Malaysia have a solid record of cooperation on transnational issues such as counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics. Malaysia is also a leading voice in ASEAN regarding the maintenance of stability in that region, and a strong example of the social and economic success possible in a multi-racial society that has a moderate Islamic majority. In this context, greater cooperation and dialogue between our two governments is both a significant and welcome development.”
"The Malaysian business community welcomes continued US business interest and investment in Malaysia as the U.S. is Malaysia's leading trading partner and foreign investor. The tragic events of September 11 should not cause a decline in US investments in Malaysia. Malaysia remains stable and moderate,” said Dato’ Michael Yeoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute. “The Malaysian business community hopes that the U.S. economic downturn and the tragedies in New York and Washington, D.C. will not cause U.S. business to look inwards but to continue to stay engaged with Asia, especially moderate Islamic countries like Malaysia".
Dato' Yeoh further added, "We are seeing a possible turning point in the overall U.S.-Malaysia relationship. The increased dialogue between the Malaysian and U.S. political leadership should set the stage for a quantum improvement in the bilateral relationship. Now is the time to look ahead to establishing even closer bilateral ties. The private sector will fully support the initiatives of our two governments in this regard.”
The US-ASEAN Business Council is the premier national organization in the United States representing U.S. private sector interests in the ten countries of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute is an independent not-for-profit organization in Malaysia that promotes leadership, strategic thinking and bilateral business partnerships through research and implementation of strategic leadership programs, publications, and conferences.
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