“Our mission for the next two years is crystal clear,” says the incoming president of the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) Datuk Ken Phua, elaborating, “to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and cultivate sustainable growth within our vibrant retail landscape.” At the recent MRCA installation, a new council was installed for the 2024 – 2026 term, with the passing of a ceremonial sceptre from the outgoing MRCA president Dato’ Sharan Valiram to Phua.
This installation, which took place at the grand ballroom of the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, gathered movers and shakers of the Malaysian retail industry, a segment of economy that currently represents 17.6 per cent of Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (shaping up to be 20 per cent by end this year). This year, the retail industry is calculated to surpass RM300 billion in monetary measure. And by 2029, the size of the Malaysian retail industry is projected to hit over RM500 billion in value according to market advisory firm Mordor Intelligence.
The black-tie dinner event, themed Ebony and Ivory, saw a turnout of 1,000 guests comprising MRCA members, associate members, corporate patrons, dignitaries of foreign missions and embassies as well as representatives of affiliated ministries such as Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MARTRADE). On the night, the guest of honour was Malaysia’s Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo who, along with the other guests, were welcomed at the foyer by a Steinway Spirio O180 – a high-resolution player piano which flawlessly reproduces the playing style and music of masters.
Inside of the hall, Hungarian-born violinist Helga Sedli welcomed the minister as well as his retinue with a rendition of Storm by Vanessa-Mae. before launching into an opening salvo of Unstoppable by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, accompanied by the interpretive dance of Azim Riaz.
A nine-course dinner paired with wine kept spirits high as guests – clad in their most stylish white and black-tie garb – networked and enjoyed the host of onstage performances including a performance by the incoming MRCA president Phua himself, who dedicated the song “Quizás, Quizás, Quizás,” penned by Cuban songwriter Osvaldo Ferrés – to the guest of honour.
The evening ended on an anticipatory note with MRCA members and attendees looking forward to the upcoming visit to Alibaba Cloud taking place in November, in which its Malaysian iteration also functions as a digital accelerator programme to boost AI adoption and advance Malaysia’s digital transformation.
More photos of the MRCA event
