KUCHING: Being a premier chamber that has been around for 61 years now, the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has constantly been receiving overseas trade delegations from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and other countries to foster business dialogues and international network relationships.
During SCCI’s annual general meeting (AGM) held yesterday, current president and chairman for the 2011–2013 term, Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Abang Openg stated that the chamber would continue to seek ways to enhance its services for members and business affiliates.
“We work closely with other local trade chambers in Kuching such as Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industries of Sarawak, Sarawak Manufacturers’ Association, Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association and other associations to formulate policies of common interest for the benefits of the public and private sectors under the Sarawak Business Forum,” he said.
Abdul Karim pointed out that SCCI would continue to maintain its position as a leading chamber especially when dealing with the government, trade organisations, foreign trade and diplomatic missions.
“Our chamber has worked relentless towards building synergy between the state and federal governments, employers and trade unions to address challenges of labour and economic issues against the backdrop of international globalization and greater trade liberalisation,” he added.
Another highlight of the AGM was activities for the year, in which they strived to strengthen its Sibu, Miri and Bintulu regional centres this year by organising at least one SCCI General Committee meeting in each centre.
Other than that, the chamber was also in the process of organising an oil and gas trade mission to Balikpapan in collaboration with the inaugration flight by MASWings sometime in October 2012.
“This trade mission will see a further expansion of our activities within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines East Asia Growth Area regions,” he said adding that SCCI would bring more seminars in collaboration with Malaysia Productivity Corporation, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, SME Corporation Bhd and many others.
Besides that, another beneficial juncture for SCCI is that it is also represented in the dialogues and meetings with the federal government in Kuala Lumpur at the Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) and the Malaysian Employers Federation and Social Security Organisation.
Abdul Karim noted that SCCI has duly obtained approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to issue Certificates of Origin to its members to facilitate their export-oriented business products.