The Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (MTCC) was registered on June 21, 2002, with the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand. The organisation, which today comprises 155 corporate and individual members across Thailand, was officially launched and introduced to the public on July 6, 2002 by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, the former prime minister of Malaysia.
MTCC was founded at the suggestion of the then minister of International Trade & Industry of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz, who had the aim of bringing together the Malaysian business community in Thailand. The organisation now enjoys the patronage of Dato’ Jojie Samuel, the present ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand.
“MTCC works very closely with the Embassy of Malaysia to facilitate visits by Malaysian Government ministries to engage with the business community in Thailand. We are very fortunate to have the support of Dato’ Jojie as well as the continuous stewardship of our honorary and founding chairman, Mr. Yeap Swee Chuan,” said Dr. Hwee Khim Boo, who is the current chairman of MTCC and the co-owner of Best Plastics Technology Co., Ltd.
Under the leadership of Dr. Hwee Khim Boo, MTCC is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors and four Advisors from various Malaysia government agencies based in Thailand. The Board of Directors and the Advisors convene formally on a monthly basis to discuss plans in furtherance of the organisation’s main objective of promoting and developing economic relations between Malaysia and Thailand.
“Networking events and seminars are organised regularly throughout the year, aimed at providing advice and information to assist members to gain a better understanding of the latest developments affecting businesses in the country,” explained Ms. Sher Hann Chua, a Director of MTCC and a consultant at regional law firm Tilleke & Gibbins. “Due to the pandemic, we have also moved some of our activities online, such as by hosting free webinars for our members.”
In addition to networking events and seminars, the MTCC organises events such as its flagship Merdeka Golf tournament, which was held on August 28 at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi this year. “Despite having to limit the number of participants to 100 to comply with safe physical distancing requirements due to the pandemic, the event serves as a useful platform for the business community here to promote mutual cooperation, and we are very pleased to have received so much support from everyone,” said Mr. Halmi bin Mohd Salim, who chairs the MTCC sport committee.
To find out more about the activities of MTCC, please visit www.mtcc.or.th or the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mtcc.thailand.
Participants of the Merdeka Golf 2020 pictured before the tee-off on August 28, 2020.