Dato' Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed (fourth left), Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, meets with Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance delegation (FILE)

Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance (AEA) recently made a market study trip to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. AEA, which aims at helping unite determined Chinese enterprises in their efforts to "go global" together, headed a delegation of some ambitious entrepreneurs of privately owned businesses to the above four Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries from May 1 to 8, trying to help them to find new business opportunities.

Chinese entrepreneurs of the delegation showed great interests in the ASEAN market. Deng Dong, Board Chairman of Sichuan Qixiangsha Silk Industry Co. Ltd, said the abundant sunshine in Thailand and Malaysia is very suitable for cultivating silkworms. Malaysia is a big potential market for his company, for there is large demand for silk in the country. Labor and facilities costs are very low in the two countries. In addition, their governments offered favorable policies for foreign investment; therefore, there are substantial advantages for attracting investments.

Zhao Chunyuan, a senior manager of Inner Mongolia Phoenix Silicon Co. Ltd, said both the favorable natural conditions and official policies are tempting him to invest in ASEAN countries.

As neighbors of China, ASEAN countries are often seen as ideal destinations for Chinese investment. There are many overseas Chinese living in those countries. Therefore, ASEAN shares similar culture with China. The popularity of the Chinese language in the region also contributes substantially to the absorption of Chinese investments.

The delegation was welcomed by officials and business sectors of the four ASEAN countries. They said the possible investment of Chinese enterprises might not only promote the local economy but will also create more job opportunities. Therefore, they promised more favorable policies for Chinese enterprises.

Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia, showed great interest in the Chinese delegation. He introduced the favorable investment environment to the delegation and showed his support for Chinese investment in his country.

Feng Jun, President of Aigo Digital Technology Co. Ltd. and founder of the Aigo Entrepreneurs Alliance, said: "We need to find new and suitable investment markets for Chinese enterprises. And ASEAN countries also need Chinese funds to boost their economy and to help their people to get rich. It will be a win-win choice. "