PENANG is poised to further strengthen its international partnerships by leveraging its strengths in trade, tourism, investment and innovation, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said during a courtesy visit by three ambassador-designates at his office in Komtar today.
The delegation comprised the ambassador-designate of Malaysia to Finland Datuk Amarjit Sarjit Singh, ambassador-designate of Malaysia to Timor-Leste Fairuz Adli Mohd Rozali, and ambassador-designate of Malaysia to Chile R. Suresh Kumar.
During the meeting, Chow highlighted Penang’s long-standing position as a leading economic hub, particularly in the electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductor sectors, while encouraging stronger bilateral cooperation with the respective countries represented by the diplomats.
“Continue with your good work. This is an opportunity to promote trade, tourism and investment.
“It is a happy responsibility to promote goodwill because it is always better to have friends than enemies.
“As ambassadors, you can each play your role respectively and add value to the existing bilateral relations with your respective countries, as well as in broader international forums,” Chow said.
The chief minister also stressed the importance of maintaining investor confidence while exploring new economic opportunities aligned with Penang’s strengths in high-technology industries and innovation-driven development.
Among the areas discussed during the meeting were international collaborations involving technology, renewable energy, trade connectivity, tourism promotion and capacity-building initiatives.
Chow noted that Penang remains committed to strengthening its economic ecosystem through strategic investments and closer cooperation with international partners.
Amarjit, who is concluding his tenure as Malaysia’s ambassador to Timor-Leste before assuming his new role in Finland, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet Chow and reaffirmed his willingness to support Penang’s aspirations.
He said the visit was intended not only as a courtesy call, but also to offer assistance in areas related to trade and investment.
“We are always available to support the state government and Penang’s initiatives, especially in areas where we can help facilitate trade and investment opportunities,” he said.
Amarjit also shared that diplomatic transitions were underway involving several Malaysian foreign missions, including postings to Finland, Timor-Leste and Chile, reflecting Malaysia’s continued efforts to strengthen international engagement.
Meanwhile, Fairuz highlighted the growing potential for cooperation involving education, healthcare and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly with Timor-Leste’s ongoing development and regional integration efforts.
He noted that opportunities exist for Penang to attract foreign students and medical travellers, while local businesses could also explore future collaborations and market expansion.
R. Suresh Kumar, who will be posted to Chile, spoke about prospects for enhancing trade and cultural exchanges between Penang and the South American nation.
He noted Chile’s strong position in the commodities sector and said there could be opportunities for Penang-based companies, especially those involved in food processing and export-oriented industries, to expand into new international markets.
Suresh also shared that cultural diplomacy and people-to-people ties could further strengthen relations between both sides, adding that there has been positive interest among Chilean representatives towards Penang.
The meeting also touched on Penang’s strengths in tourism, event management and business conventions, with discussions on how the state could continue positioning itself as a regional destination for international events and collaborations.
Chow reiterated that Penang remains open to forging meaningful global partnerships that can contribute towards economic growth, knowledge exchange and stronger international goodwill.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi