World Chambers Congress (WCC),

Global business chambers to meet in KL next year
Rupa Damodaran Published: 2008/06/04


THE global business community will discuss how to compete and grow in difficult economic conditions at the sixth World Chambers Congress (WCC), an international event of business associations.

The WCC will be held from June 3 to 5 in Kuala Lumpur next year, the first time in Southeast Asia, with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) as the host.

"The Malaysian business community, and the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must take advantage of the opportunities to showcase their capabilities," International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said at the launch of a one-year countdown to the biennial congress.

Miti, through its agencies the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) will arrange business matching sessions for SMEs that register early.



With over 1,000 business visitors and business matching sessions, FMM will also invite foreign chambers of commerce to organise business delegations and hold briefings for the participants.

FMM president Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon said Malaysia has an advantage as a gateway for other markets in the region, especially once the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) is fully realised by 2015.

The WCC will have plenary and workshop sessions. Plenary sessions will address the key challenges faced by businesses today including economic implications of climate change, how businesses will need to respond to new challenges as well as the impact of globalisation on SMEs.

Other topics that will be addressed include corporate governance, counterfeiting and intellectual property, women in business, information technology and leadership.

"Businesses are being challenged with rising costs of doing business, increasing fuel prices as well as having to assume greater responsibilities on environmental and social issues."

Previous WCCs have been held in France, South Korea, Canada, South Africa and Turkey.
__________________