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Companies strike business deals at Commonwealth Conference in Malaysia

21 February 2008

When you organize a conference and you see practical outcomes that generate business, jobs and employment opportunities, you feel that your efforts have not been in vain, says Commonwealth expert

The Pan Commonwealth Conference on Trade in Professional Services ended here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 21 February, with some participants striking business deals.

One such deal was reached between Global Links Network; a Canadian- based consulting firm, and Visionary Development SDN BHD (vDev), a Malaysian firm specialising in advising companies by doing market research and conducting feasibility studies.

Ms Diane Girard, the President of Global Links Network, made a presentation during one of the sessions at the conference, and Zamri Baba, the Managing Director of Vdev found that the kind of partners Global Links was looking for matched with his company’s profile and competencies.

Immediately after the presentation, Mr Baba approached Ms Girard, presented to her the credentials of his company, including testimonials from satisfied clients, which VDev has facilitated.

“This was because during the conference, presenters gave us tips on how market the opportunities in the services sector, and immediately I saw that this was an opportunity not to be missed,” said Mr Baba.

The two business executives did not waste anytime, and concluded the deal by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“The present is to confirm the intention of Global Links Network and Visionary Development SDN BHD (VDev) to explore business opportunities as a result of their discussions at the Pan-Commonwealth Conference on Trade in Services,” the MoU reads in part.

It states that Global Links Network will collaborate with VDev on the provision of export training and capacity building workshops for potential Small and Medium Enterprise exporters, while VDev will coordinate with local stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of the workshops.

The two companies will also identify opportunities of joint venture and technology transfers between Malaysian and Canadian companies.

“The intent is for a two-way trade between Malaysia and Canada to meet both supply and demand sides,” Diane Girard.

They said that the MoU has been made possible because of the two organisation’s participating in the conference.

Nikhil Treebhoohun, adviser and head of the Trade Section of Commonwealth Secretariat’s Special Advisory Services Division (SASD) was all smiles at the news of the clinching of the deal.

“When you organize a conference and you see practical outcomes that generate business, jobs and employment opportunities, you feel that your efforts have not been in vain. The Commonwealth Secretariat is very pleased to have partnered with the Government of Malaysia to deliver this conference—and to see these fruits coming out,” he said.