MBC hosts business delegation from Malaysia
MBC, as the secretariat of the Philippines-Malaysia Business Council (PMBC), organized a number of meetings on 10 January for a group of Malaysian businessmen, MBC's very first foreign guests for the year. The visiting delegation was headed by Tan Sri Dato' Mohamed Basir, Chairman of the Malaysia-Philippines Business Council (MPBC) and Chairman of the Malayan Banking Berhad, one of the largest commercial banks in Malaysia and which owns Maybank Philippines. The Philippine delegation, on the other hand, was led by Felipe Alfonso, PMBC Vice-Chairman. Another major company in the mission was Metroplex Berhad which has large investments in the local leisure and property sector.

The group paid a courtesy call to President Arroyo in Malacañang where she hailed the Malaysians' efforts at strengthening investment relations between the two countries. She asked Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas to report on proposed Malaysian projects in the Philippines agreed on during her previous visits to Malaysia. Among these are the use of Malaysian technology in smart cards, oil palm projects in Mindanao, and the resolution of the NSC case.

From Malacañang, the group proceeded to Bangko Sentral to meet privately with Bangko Sentral Governor Rafael Buenaventura. The joint meeting of the PMBC and MPBC that followed thereafter discussed in detail the Malaysians' concerns in doing business in the Philippines. Among the issues raised were the need for a more consistent application of investment incentives and respect of contracts, attracting more tourists by improving the process of visa applications, and more transparency and consistency in customs procedures.