By Nicholas Fang

A business club set up to cater to those keen to venture into China is aiming to groom up to 30,000 bilingual and bicultural Singaporeans capable of thriving in the booming Chinese market.

The non-profit Business China was established by the Singapore Chinese Chamber by Commerce and Industry last month.

It was formed in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s suggestion that a platform be created to encourage Singaporeans to take an active interest in learning and appreciating Chinese language and culture.

The club aims to establish a network for Singaporeans who are doing business in China or are intending to go there to learn Chinese.

Business China said in a statement yesterday that its long-term target is to groom up to 30,000 Singaporeans able to communicate effectively in the Chinese market.

Club membership is by invitation only with 300 people set to be enrolled during the first stage of its recruitment drive.

Business China said that it is looking to recruit “successful, capable, experienced and talented individuals” as core members.

“Business China is also looking for individuals with special skills and resources to support its organisational framework,” it said. “We welcome the participation of members of the public in our activities.”

The club’s patron is MM Lee and its board is chaired by Ho Bee Investment chairman and chief executive officer Chua Thian Poh.

The board had its first meeting yesterday where five committees were formed and chairmen were named for each of them.

Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Kim Yong, will head the programme committee; membership and outreach will be under the Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan; Singapore Press Holding chief executive Alan Chan will chair the publicity committee; Pan-United chairman Ch’ng Jit Koon the fund-raising one, while finance and establishment will be chaired by Keppel Corp executive chairman Lim Chee Onn.

Courtesy of Straits Times, October 10 2007

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