Kota Kinabalu: Cross-border business networking helps companies understand foreign markets and build lasting trade ties, said Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah President Datuk Dexter Lau.
He said this after attending a business dinner hosted by the High Commission of Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Lau, who is also a Federation of Public Listed Companies executive committee member and Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad group executive director, said such gatherings allow businesses to go past surface-level introductions and gain a real understanding of each other’s industry needs and market conditions.
He was joined at the dinner by MCCC Sabah branch vice president and MCCC Young Entrepreneurs Committee vice chairman Yong Siew Lee, and Koperasi Usahawan Utama Sabah Berhad director Celine Teah.
Representatives from business communities, chambers and industry organisations in both Bangladesh and Malaysia also attended to exchange views on trade opportunities.
Lau said companies in different countries bring their own industry strengths and market networks, and cross-border engagement gives businesses fresh perspectives on models and trends they would not encounter within their existing markets.
“The important thing about participating in business networking is not simply meeting more people. It is about following up after the initial engagement, gaining a better understanding of each other’s business needs and identifying areas of cooperation that can be translated into action.”He said a single networking session rarely leads directly to a partnership, but continued communication allows businesses to build trust over time and turn an initial contact into trade, investment or project collaboration.
Lau added that such events also let companies connect with industry organisations across different sectors, helping them identify areas where resources and expertise complement one another, particularly for firms looking to enter overseas markets.
He said chambers of commerce serve as a bridge in this process, using their networks to connect member companies with foreign counterparts and to keep engagement going after the initial meeting.
“The role of a chamber is not merely to bring businesses to networking events. It is to ensure that the engagement continues afterwards. Through follow-ups, business matching and direct engagement, an initial meeting can gradually develop into a long-term business relationship.”Lau said MCCC Sabah will continue taking part in domestic and international business networking activities to create opportunities for member companies to enter global markets and strengthen information exchange among enterprises.
“We hope every business networking opportunity will not simply be a one-off event, but a new beginning. Through continued contact, further communication and direct engagement, we can gradually turn business networking into meaningful corporate cooperation,” he said.
