GEORGE TOWN: Belgium is bent on tapping Malaysia's huge industrial, sustainable and resilient potential, via Penang.
Its ambassador Pascal Gregoire said that Penang, which was celebrating 50 years of industrialisation this year, was indeed fully gearing up and moving forward for the implementation of the 'Vision of Penang 2030'.
"This is an initiative by Penang as a family-focused green and smart state to inspire the whole nation.
"While borders are progressively reopening, Penang recorded the highest exports of electrical and electronic products worth RM26.2 billion in January this year.
"This has made it Malaysia's top exporter of the products, with a share of 31.3 per cent overall," Gregoire said at a gala dinner to officiate Belgium's honorary consulate in Penang, at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Lebuh Farquhar.
Present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, his wife Tan Lean Kee, Belgium deputy head of mission Pierrick Massaux, its honorary consul to Penang Michel Van Crombrugge and Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Malaysia vice-president Vincent Borgne.
Gregoire revealed that trade between Belgium and Malaysia had doubled during the last decade, to reach about 1 billion euros, while the exports from Malaysia to Belgium increased by 15 per cent (or about 92 million euros) between January and July last year.
"They mostly involved chemicals, petroleum products, manufactured items, metal and commodities.
"There is definitely more room to boost these figures," he said.
On Crombrugge's appointment, Gregoire said that he was a very experienced and knowledgeable person, whose roadmap was not only to ensure targeted consular tasks.
"Most surely, Crombrugge is tasked to be a proactive and strong bridge between Penang, the private sector and Belgian companies and investors," Gregoire said.
The establishment of the honorary consulate, he added, demonstrated the strong interest and confidence in the region, especially Penang, from the side of the Belgian stakeholders.
"In truth, the opening of our honorary consulate in Penang cannot be timelier when it comes to the relationship between Penang, Malaysia, Belgium and its regions (Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia) for many a reason.
"Our objective then, now and tomorrow is - and will be - to build and strengthen the partnership with Penang for a greener, more sustainable and a more climate resilient future, while focusing on human capital and sustainable policies.
"This is as such, and in our minds, another milestone to raise awareness in Belgium on Penang and its huge potentials.
"In other words, we are more than ever committed to walk the talk!" assured Gregoire.
He reminisced on his last concrete visit to Penang in October last year, where he met with governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and heads of public agencies.
Gregoire followed it up last week with a meeting with Chow, state executive councillor for infrastructure and transport Zairil Khir Johari, state executive councillor for trade, industry and entrepreneur development Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, and representatives of Invest Penang, Penang Port, Penang Tourism and 'George Town Festival 2022'.
Gregoire said that current Covid-19 pandemic and the many challenges around the world, should definitively not prevent them to be creative and proactive.
"To quote Edward de Bono (who authored 85 books translated in 46 languages and who passed away in June last year at the age of 88): 'You cannot dig a new well by digging the same hole deeper'.
"As such - and in close cooperation with Belgium's regions, its economic and trade representatives, the Belgian and European chambers, the European Union delegation in Malaysia and other stakeholders - let us move on together in the coming months for a concrete agenda of initiatives," Gregoire urged.
He called for more online trade missions and targeted seminars, promoting Penang's specific sectors of activities and interests.
These, he said, included digital economy, e-finance, education, universities, food, logistics, petrochemicals, energy, ports, green technologies and carbon offset.
"There is a lot to improve and we have to promote targeted business-to-business online meetings; follow-up missions and regular contacts.
"I believe in Penang, Malaysia and Belgium boleh!" said Gregoire, adding that Belgium had contributed greatly with its Pfizer vaccines to combat Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Chow said that the setting up of Belgium's consulate would help promote greater opportunities, given that there were not many Belgian companies in Penang.
He said Malaysia and Belgium had maintained their ties based on trust and mutual respect, since diplomatic relations were established in 1975.
"This is another addition to Penang's growing community of foreign representatives.
"I look forward to more robust engagements between the state and the respective diplomatic missions in the future," said Chow.
He pointed out that Penang's future was bolstered by its position as one of the country's key economic backbones.
"Our exports are dominated by electrical, electronic and semiconductor products.
"We are confident that there are plenty of opportunities for Penang, particularly those arising from global supply-chain reconfiguration, and the emerging industries.
"We welcome Belgian companies to consider Penang as their operational base and manufacturing site.
"We will scale new horizons and bring new opportunities for the benefit of our nation," said Chow, adding that despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Penang managed to do well in the manufacturing sector.
"With Malaysia opening its borders to international visitors from April 1, I foresee the services sector picking up.
"Of course, we cannot expect an influx of tourists immediately, but it is the first step to receiving more tourists to the state and country," said Chow.
He noted that Penang was the largest recipient of medical tourism in the country, with more than 50 per cent visitors before the Covid-19 lockdown.
Chow said the state was building a few more hospitals, with Batu Kawan to be promoted as a medical hub other than for electrical and electronic products.