KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 — The MCA today launched the MCA Belt and Road Centre (Mbrace) to enable entrepreneurs from Malaysia and China to grab opportunities through information exchange as well as business matching. 

Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the centre would serve as a platform to assist the private sector, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to participate and benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the Government of China.

“At the moment, there are 65 countries participating in the initiative and Malaysia is one of them. This will help connect Malaysia to the other parts of the world and help build business and grow the economy. 

“Apart from the centre, we will also set up a website to inform not only entrepreneurs but the public on the latest business opportunities in China,” he said to reporters after the launch of the centre here. 

The Belt and Road Initiative is a brainchild of President Xi Jinping of China. The initiative is an effort to enhance cooperation, including in trade and investment, policy coordination, strategic alignment and financial cooperation, as well as for cultural as well as people-to-people exchange.

Meanwhile, Liow, who is the Transport Minister, praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak Razak for his efforts in pursuing closer ties with China as he believed it would drive greater development in Malaysia.

“Najib has laid the foundation for stronger economic growth in Malaysia after securing deals worth RM144 billion from his visits (to China).

“This sort of deal boosts trade and opens new economic activities,” he said. — Bernama