Schneider plays a significant role in bridging the gap between Malaysia and EU by promoting Selangor as a key investment destination in Asean

By TMR

EU-MALAYSIA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI) announced the appointment of Sven Schneider (picture) as its new CEO starting March 30 this year.

The board of EUMCCI appointed an external agency to lead the recruitment process and identify suitable candidates. Following a rigorous process, Schneider was finally chosen after a challenging interview with several board members.

In the last 12 years of his career, Schneider has played a significant role in bridging the gap between Malaysia and the European Union (EU) by promoting Selangor as a key investment destination in Asean.

As the director of trade and investment and strategic planning, as well as previously the director of corporate communication and strategic planning at Invest Selangor Bhd, Schneider has been the architect of Selangor’s ecosystem development and investment promotion strategies.

Before he set sail for Malaysia, Schneider started his journey by exploring his entrepreneurial spirit in Germany, where he consulted economic development strategies and export promotion programmes on state and city level.

EUMCCI chairman Oliver Roche said: “Schneider offers an excellent range of skills and knowledge, as well as an extensive network to take on his new role. In recognition of EUMCCI’s mission to promote, support and develop EU business interests in Malaysia and strengthening bilateral relations, the board has given Schneider the mandate to reignite the conversation on EU-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement.”

In 2020, EUMCCI targets to enhance its collaboration with the Malaysian government to further grow European investments and bilateral trade. In this context, the board intends to strengthen the chamber’s advocacy work through its vast member base in concerted collaborations with bilateral chambers and EUMCCI’s thematic commit tees. Most importantly, EUMCCI will focus on its members and core business by providing more business opportunities through business matching events and collaborations.

Schneider said: “We plan to announce strategic partnerships and some exciting initiatives early in my tenure to position the chamber as a leading platform for investment and trade facilitation into Malaysia and the Asean region.”

EUMCCI represents 27 EU member countries, together with respective bilateral chambers, and thereby offers access into a market worth US$18.8 trillion (RM77.83 trillion) or 22% of the global economy. EU companies invested RM3.1 billion in Malaysia for the period of January to September 2019, and remained a key trading partner for the country, contributing 9.2% of Malaysia’s total trade until September 2019. Since trade has slightly slowed in 2019, EUMCCI believes that trade and investment activities will benefit considerably from the promise of a trade agreement.

Sourced by The Malaysian Reserve