President's Report AGM 2018
Dear Members & Friends,
This past year has been incredibly eventful.
After six decades of a Barisan Nasional government, a Malaysian Tsunami swept a new government into power. Ordinary Malaysians took control and voted overwhelming for a wholesale change. An unlikely coalition of a 92 year-old former prime minister, three political detainees, and five different political parties came together under the Pakatan Harapan flag, and are now firmly in government. We will be exploring the implications of all this over the next 12 months!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your enthusiastic support of AMBC Victoria during 2017/2018. Since the last AGM, we’ve organised 15 different occasions for us to explore opportunities and grow our networks:
- Aug 24: AMBC Victoria AGM, new Board elected
- Aug 24: Drinks & Nibbles with new AMBC Board
- Oct 9: ASEAN-Australia Entrepreneurs Business Forum
- Oct 26: AMBC Spring Networking Drinks (The Black Rabbit)
- Nov 14: Corporate Boardroom Lunch with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
- Nov 14: Briefing and Networking with MIDA and Matrade
- Dec 4: Meet Your Audience Forum
- Dec 7: End-of-Year Networking Event (Temple Brewery)
- Feb 22: Yumcha Lunch (Shark Fin House)
- Apr 24: Autumn Networking Drinks (The Black Rabbit)
- May 15: Principal Hub Incentive Scheme - MIDA
- May 17: Melbourne: Planning for Growth
- May 24: A Conversation with Jason Yeap OAM
- May 30: Australia’s Free Trade Agreements – an Update
- Aug 25: Meet with visiting Malaysian Franchisor Delegation
Over the course of the coming year, we will be reviewing what the future holds for the New Malaysia. Will the coalition hold, or will they succumb to political infighting? What direction will they take the country, and can they stay the course? What are the changes in the social and economic environment, and are there new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment. It is truly an exciting time, and I encourage you all to participate and get involved.
At every AGM, we retire half of our Board members and open it up for elections. At this AGM, I am pleased to announce the unopposed re-election of the following members to the Board:
- Josh Chye (HLB Mann Judd)
- Michael Gough (Rigby Cooke Lawyers)
- Trevor Haines (Secos Group)
- Nathanael Kitingan (M&K Lawyers)
The Board is keen to further improve its diversity, and would like to encourage our women and younger members to nominate for next year’s AGM. Also, organisations such as ours thrive on new blood and new ideas – I encourage you to participate in a Working Committee of your interest and help create the AMBC that we want. These include:
- Property & Construction
- Manufacturing
- Food & Agribusiness
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Young Professionals
- Corporate Member Events
- Social & Networking Events
Please get in contact with our Secretariat Chris, or any of our Board members if this interests you.
Also, please make use of the online Business Directory – this gives our website visitors an opportunity to connect with the specialised knowledge, skills and experience of our member network. I encourage all members to take advantage of the Business Directory to create new connections and raise your organisation’s and personal profile.
Lastly, can I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Malaysia Day on Sept 12th - this year we will have a market-style theme with several food stations, each with a chef. It will be an excellent way to enjoy the warm fellowship that is uniquely AMBC's, as well as entertain any Malaysian clients that you might have. Event and booking details can be found on our website.
This AGM marks my final year as your President. I have received tremendous encouragement from members and friends, old and new, and have been both humbled and energised by your passion and enthusiasm for AMBC. My deepest thanks to all of you and my fellow Board members, for your continuing support of myself and the organization. We already have a reputation of being one of the most progressive and active bilateral business councils in Victoria, and I look forward to working with you to create another successful year for AMBC.
Semper Progressus (Always Forward),
Felix Wong GAICD
President, AMBC Victoria
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