by guest contributor Joe David
Photo credit:Patricia McDougall
“I hope this evening of celebration will be one of many for us,” said H.E. Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Bin Hussin, The Ambassador of Malaysia. “I expect it to enhance stability and peace between the East and the West, and accelerate social and cultural integration by providing an attractive region for U.S. companies to cultivate long-term business relationships. I am optimistic that someday soon ASEAN will be one of the bright spots that will shine a little light on our world.”
Dr. Rajesh Mehra, Shahin Mafi, President & Trustee, Azar Foundation for Children of the World, H.E. Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Bin Hussin, Ambassador of Malaysia, Aleida Delgado, Tony Pillai, Deputy Chief Technology Officer, District Department of Transportation, Mary Gotschall, Voice of America’s “Learning English” and Alan Schlaifer, President, Wharton Club of DC
A two-day ASEAN Islamic Finance Conference concluded last week on a spectacular note of celebration with a Recognition Awards Dinner, in which over 150 enthusiastic guests filled the grand ballroom at the Embassy of Malaysia and paid tribute to the men and women who contributed their energy to the success of the ASEAN financial markets.
The gala dinner followed two days of intensive discussion between leading Islamic Capital Market and U.S. business leaders. For many, it was the highlight of a major Islamic conference that brought together prominent international dignitaries, business leaders, and the public. It gave them an opportunity to meet and to network with members of the ASEAN diplomatic communities to discuss the many opportunities that exist for them in an Islamic Finance Industry with a market size of U.S. $ 1.7 trillion.
During the dinner celebration, awards were presented to small-medium-enterprises and trailblazing business leaders that are making generous contributions to market growth. Roy Michael, Executive Director of the Malaysian US Chamber of Commerce, attributed this evening of celebration and ASEAN entertainment to their successes at creating pathways for their peers to follow in the ASEAN region and in the United States.
The four awardees were CWorks, Full Circle, McLean Furniture Gallery, and Thrive Solar Energy Philippines, Inc.
Guest contributor Joe David, author of The Infidels, H.E. Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Bin Hussin, Amb. of Malaysia and Nicole D’Amecourt, U.S. president of Agenda SOS International, Inc.
C Works is a Malaysian owned-company that is a facility management software and service provider. Their focus is facility management, manufacturing, oil & gas, airports, mining, healthcare, education and local governments. Based in Buffalo, New York, CWorks Systems, Inc., offers technical, operational, and consultation support to CWorks’ CMMS users.
Full Circle is an advanced materials company led by native Malaysians, Chandra Pillai and Hari Chandra. It offers asphalt modifier technology that may one day revolutionize paving in the U.S. and worldwide, because of its products’ sustainability, lower cost and higher performance.
Roy Michael, Executive Director, Malaysia US Chamber of Commerce and his wife Mrs. Jennifer Michael; Datuk Noripah Kamso, Global Practitioner in Residence in the Center for Global Citizenship of Principal Financial Group, U.S. and visiting professor to Drake University; USA/ Panelist, Ro-Zanne Ho, Mistress of Ceremonies; Jan Du Plain, President, Du Plain Enterprises, Inc.; Myron Belkind, 2014 National Press Club president; and Jane Pennewell, owner, Image Consultant Group.
McLean Furniture Gallery is making inroads since 1984 in the trade with ASEAN by offering craftsmen-made woodwork from the ASEAN region. The woodwork originates from places like Bali, Indonesia, Laguna, Philippines and Singapore.
Thrive Solar Energy Philippines, Inc. offers solar-powered lanterns and systems from the ASEAN region. The company has partnered with the Philippines Department of Education in eradicating poverty through education. Thrive believes life without light leads to unequal opportunities. To eliminate this, it is bringing clean energy and equal platforms in which children of the world may study.
One of the stirring moments of the evening occurred with Michael giving special tribute to the founder of Malaysia’s U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Former Malaysian Ambassador and Special Envoy, Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis. “His premature death leaves us all saddened. As many of you know Jamaluddin was a Member of Parliament for Rompin, Pahang for the past 25 year. He was instrumental in putting the first Malaysian in space, and his sudden death, when his helicopter crashed into the jungle last April, has left a big void in our lives.”
The evening concluded with a night of ASEAN multicultural entertainment. Ten glamorous fashion models representing different ASEAN countries, stepped off the stage and walked gracefully into the ballroom, dazzling the crowd with their colorful attire. The countries the women represented were Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, PDR.
