Lim at the gala dinner and awards ceremony, held in conjunction with the 3rd Asia Pacific CEO Forum in Macau.

PETALING JAYA: LBS Bina Group Bhd group managing director Tan Sri Lim Hock San became the first Malaysian business leader to be honoured with the ‘World Chinese Business Leaders Lifetime Achievement’ award at the ‘Asia Pacific Top 50 Most Influential Entrepreneurs 2019’, during the 3rd Asia Pacific CEO forum in Macau, recently.

According to the statement, Lim was invited as a panel speaker for the ‘Belt and Road’ forum session held in conjunction with the forum, which explored new strategies and collaborative platforms to empower entrepreneurs as they enter the new era of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.

During the forum, he highlighted that the longstanding bilateral relations between Malaysia and China remain resilient, underpinned by stable economic and trade cooperation as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges. For example, the increase of Chinese tourist arrivals to Malaysia has benefited the local travel and hospitality industry.

The strong bilateral trust between the two nations is also evident in Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir’s second official visit to China recently, in which he reiterated the government’s support for the ‘Road and Belt’ initiative. He also believes it will bring mutual benefits to other participating countries. The leaders and governments of Malaysia and China are also pressing ahead to realise the opportunities arising from the next phase of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.

“Malaysia is well-placed to tap the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative on the back of its open policies, vast infrastructure developments, as well as familiarity in dealing with the Chinese people and business community following established trade and economic ties.

“Malaysia has all the right ‘ingredients’ to be a strategic partner and connector for the ‘Belt and Road’ markets,” said Lim, in response to participants’ questions relating to seizing opportunities from the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.

He also said that many Malaysian entrepreneurs, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises, are eager to tap the opportunities presented by the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. The ‘Belt and Road’ initiative is a strategic platform for local entrepreneurs to expand their global footprint.

“They can work with relevant organisations, including trade associations, chambers of commerce and clan associations, in seeking the right opportunity and gain better insights on what is needed by the Chinese markets,” added Lim.

Lim shared his personal experiences in leading LBS to capitalise on the enormous opportunities arising from the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, such as having a joint venture with SANY Group of China in setting up an Industrialised Building System (IBS) plant in Nilai. It aligns with LBS’ mission to build more quality affordable housing and also heeds the government’s call to build one million affordable homes over the next ten years. In the future, LBS hopes to collaborate with potential Chinese entities to develop its existing landbank of 4,005 acres.

LBS has also invested in the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) which is located in the Greater Bay Area. ZIC is currently undergoing a programme to transform it into an integrated urban development comprising various services and facilities. Lim is confident that ZIC will play a vital role in shaping the growth of the Greater Bay Area, given its strategic geographical location and economic potentials.

He concluded by citing LBS’s investment in ZIC as an example of how Malaysian businesses are establishing a broader presence in China following the introduction of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative.