DPM asks Hopo community in Malaysia to be country’s tourism ambassadors Posted on October 12, 2012, Friday

MIRI: Members of the Hopo community, part of the Chinese Hakka clan in Malaysia, can be the country’s ambassadors to help promote it as an attractive destination for foreign investment, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday. He said he was also confident that the community could contribute to the country’s continued growth and prosperity by participating actively in the tourism sector, which was one of the national key economic areas, contributing almost 12 per cent to the national gross domestic product (GDP). In conjunction with “Visit Malaysia Year 2013/2014, the government has targeted 26.8 million tourist arrivals, as Malaysia’s multi-cultural heritage offered tourists from all over the world a unique opportunity to experience the many different cultures – “All In One,” he said. “As we all know, the Hopo and Hakka community and all other races love this country, which we call home. You have participated actively in the country’s economy, education, culture and politics and contributed to the country’s growth and development, and your contribution is duly recognised and acknowledged,” he said when officiating at the second World Hopo Community Convention 2012, here. Also present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin, State Housing and Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim, China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi and Federation of Hopo Association Malaysia president Voon Sheo Fah. Addressing 1,400 delegates from all over the world, Muhyiddin said the government would continue to promote Malaysia as an international financial hub and attract foreign direct investment into the country. He said the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), which was launched by the government on July 30 this year with a gross development value of RM26 billion, would provide new investment opportunities by connecting the business community with the global market. TRX was expected to attract 250 international financial services companies and offer job opportunities to 40,000 knowledge and skilled workers, he said. On the two-day convention, he commended the association for having reached out to most of the Hopo associations throughout the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, China, Taiwan and Indonesia and other Asean countries to get to participate, which symbolised the true spirit of perseverance of the Hopo clan. “I believe there is much to learn from each other and much to gain by working together,” he said, adding that the convention was the right forum for the Hopo and Hakka community across the world to further enhance their collaboration. — Bernama Sourced: theborneopost