Malaysia the "Kuala Lumpur Dialogue" — June 2007

On June 10-12, 2007, the Foundation and BCIU sponsored a meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the theme of which was "Strengthening Islamic and U.S. Joint Business Understanding." The first part of the press release reads as follows:

"How can Muslim and non-Muslim business leaders help each other increase their business opportunities?

This was one of the key questions an outstanding group of participants from Malaysia and the West addressed at the Conference, sponsored by the Asian Programs Foundation and the Business Council for International Understanding.

The second, and more unusual but equally important issue, is whether these key leaders can bring their influence to bear on reducing intolerance, specifically, to increase mutual understanding and interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims in the international business arena.

The Program is the brain child of Victor Frank, Jr., the President of the Asian Programs Foundation and former U.S. Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank, working in concert with leaders from the Malaysian community such as Y. Bhg Dato Abdullah Mohd Yusof, who opened the session."

In a comprehensive luncheon address at the meeting, Y. Bhg Professor Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, Ph.D., pointed out that the first Muslim businessman was the Prophet Mohammad. That in fact Islam intrinsically favors trade and from its origins has been pro-development, pro-science, pro-diversity and, thus, a healthy climate for business. Thus, he opined, the West, and the U.S. in particular, if properly knowledgeable about Islam and "sharia compliant," have plenty of room for commonality.

The morning panels, one featuring presentations by distinguished U.S. asset managers, and a second featuring two leading Kuala Lumpur businessmen, provided perspectives on the current climate for transactions. This set the stage for the open discussions of the afternoon session, which included what action steps could be taken by the Asian Programs Foundation and those present to improve conditions for increases in business activity and tolerance between Muslims and non-Muslims, East with West, going forward.

Participants from the morning session from the Western asset manager community included:

• Mr. Gary Lawrence, general manager of Excelsior Capital
• Mr. Richard Foyston, managing director of Navis
• Ms. Hope Chen, partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson
• Mr. Peter Sullivan, chairman of Lombard Investments
• Mr. Jonathan Robinson, partner of Asian Mezzanine Capital.

Participants from the Kuala Lumpur community included:

• Y. Bhg Dato Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin, president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia
• YM Raja Dato Abdul Aziz Bin Raja Muda Musa, vice president of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
• Y. Bhg Dato Ahmad Tajuddin bin Abdul Rahman, chairman of the Islamic Economic Development Foundation, Malaysia
• Encik Nizar bin Idris, chairman of Bechtel, Malaysia

The afternoon session included a panel which adopted action steps such as those referred to above, which we are seeking to implement.

Other speakers included:

• Ahmed S. Hariri, manager of the Islamic Development Bank, Kuala Lumpur
• Nicholas Zeffreys, president of Applied Engineering and Consulting; former president of the American Chamber of Commerce (Malaysia).