Malaysia to host the fourth GES

Malaysia will host the fourth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) this week with more than 3,000 people coming from around the world.

This important event born from the US President, Barack Obama’s 2009 Cairo Speech which said that US would work to deepen ties among entrepreneurs, business leaders, non-profits, and policymakers from the US and Muslim communities around the world.

The US Ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun said, by hosting the first GES in the Asia-Pacific region, Malaysia is demonstrating global leadership and commitment to fostering innovation around the world.

Prime Minister Najib will be joined by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman as well as other world leaders, and entrepreneurs, innovators, and youth.

“At the Global Entrepreneurship Summit and beyond, these entrepreneurs, young and old, will develop ideas to adopt new technologies, foster creativity, facilitate an entrepreneurial business climate, support small and medium enterprises, and encourage young people to tap their potential for innovation.

“The GES is an investment for leaders of tomorrow, with strong emphasis on our teachers and students.

Here in Malaysia, we now have 75 Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) working in schools throughout Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Perak,” said Joseph.

He added that thousands of Malaysian youth are improving their English proficiency and growing their interest in the broader world while the American volunteers carry back to America a deep understanding of and respect for Malaysians and its culture.

“These 75 spirited American college graduates are following in the footsteps of the thousands of Peace Corps volunteers who worked throughout Malaysia from 1962-1983.

“I am also delighted to report that our businesses are looking to create jobs and enhance prosperity through trade and investment,” he added.

The United States is the largest foreign investor in Malaysia, employing more than 150,000 Malaysians in well-paying jobs and contributing billions of Ringgit to the country’s economy.

At the same time, these businesses are helping to develop key industries here as well promote the wellbeing of Malaysian communities through high-impact corporate social responsibility programs.

“Strong U.S.-Malaysian relations are also built by our soldiers, sailors, law enforcement professionals and aid workers who work together to promote security in the region, provide humanitarian assistance following disasters, and protect our people from criminal and terrorist threats.

We should all applaud the work of Malaysian and American journalists, scholars, and civil society leaders who seek to make our countries better through transparency, fairness and good governance,” Joseph added.