Pardip Kumar Kukreja is a man on the move. Being the executive chairman of one of Malaysia’s most dynamic tourism companies and president of the Malaysia Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), he’s always juggling with time. But, to his credit, each role is played to perfection, and when you walk into his office you realize that you’re face to face with a man who’s kept his tryst with success.
Grand Paradise Holdings being the controlling entity, its business includes travel, tours, hotels, restaurants, airline representation, automobile and health. The company also offers management and accounting service to all its subsidiary companies.
Kukreja was indirectly referring to a statement made in June by Thierry Rommel, European Union Ambassador to Malaysia. Rommel criticized Malaysia’s New Economic Policy (NEP), saying the country’s racial quota policy favouring the majority ethnic Malays was detrimental to the country
Kukreja’s group gives back to the community too. It has established Tara Bhavan, a home for underprivileged children. The primary aim of the home is to provide shelter to boys who come from poverty-stricken backgrounds, abandoned children, orphans and poor single mothers. “Our mission is to provide a conducive environment and a brighter future for the child,” says Kukreja.
Kukreja is also the President of the MAICCI, which was set up to explore various opportunities in the areas of economic enhancement and development for the Indian community. Right now the membership of the MAICCI is about 2,000. “But we are targeting 10,000,” says Kukreja, member of a Punjabi immigrant family from Pakistan. He’s confident that the membership numbers will grow fast, and that the Malaysian Indians’ share of the economic pie will increase from the present 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent by 2011. “It’s vital that we have a larger say in the economy, considering that PIOs are nearly eight per cent of the Malaysian population.”
The membership of MAICCI consists of the State and District Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. MAICCI is a member of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM). The activities of MAICCI are very broad-based, covering various aspects of the private sector and Government ranging from trading to policy matters, assisting entrepreneurs to business counselling, networking within Malaysia and overseas investment to human resource development.
On the MAICCI’s role, Kukreja says that he is focused on a strong membership, building up the right resources and creating an international network. “We are an organization with members that can plan strategically.” India’s on the MAICCI radar, a prime target. Malaysian PIOs want to invest in India and sea potential in infrastructure and township development areas. And he sees Indian business playing an increasingly larger role in IT, bio-technology, services and tourism sectors. At the same time he has a word of advice for authorities in India, “While awarding contracts to Malaysian firms in India, the Indian Government should also ensure that there is no discrimination against Indian firms in Malaysia.”
Kukreja was indirectly referring to a statement made in June by the Thierry Rommel, European Union Ambassador to Malaysia. Rommel criticized Malaysia’s New Economic Policy (NEP), saying the country’s racial quota policy favouring the majority ethnic Malays was detrimental to the country. Malaysia’s attractiveness to foreign investors had, therefore, weakened as a result of the affirmative action policies for the majority ethnic Malays or Bhumiputras. Rommel had gone on to say, “the protectionism is expanding and the scope for competition and efficiency is narrowing… Malaysia is marginalizing itself.”
When the chamber got its website up and running, Kukreja, told members, “MAICCI moves into the cyber era.” It is also time for both MAICCI and Kukreja to step on to the next level.
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