SPEECH BY YAB CHOW KON YEOW

CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE HONORARY CONSUL OF NORWAY IN PENANG

9 MAY 2023, PENANG CLUB

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His Excellency Mr Morten Paulsen,

Ambassador of Norway to Malaysia

YBhg Dato’ Lio Chee Yeong,

Honorary Consul of Norway in Penang

Honourable Members of the Penang State Executive Council

His Excellencies Consul-Generals of Thailand, Indonesia, China and Japan in Penang

Honourable Members of the Penang State Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament

Members of the Consular Corp in Penang

Distinguished guests

Members of the media

Ladies and gentlemen

Good evening. When His Excellency last met me in April 2022, I could recall that one of the items we discussed about was the pending progress of setting up a Norwegian honorary consulate in Penang. I am delighted that it has now become a reality, and the Penang State Government welcomes the opening of Norwegian Honorary Consulate Office as well as the appointment of Dato’ Lio Chee Yeong as Honorary Consul of Norway in Penang.

Dato’ Lio, I wish to congratulate you on this appointment and am confident that your role will boost stronger relations between Norway and Penang. As a Penangite who is already familiar with the duties of an Honorary Consul, you are in the best position to promote Penang to our Norwegian friends, and vice-versa. Together, there is much to gain from this deepening friendship. The State Government is ever supportive of the growing number of consular representations in Penang, and we certainly welcome more exposure for Penang in Norway and her fellow Scandinavian neighbours. 

Since diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Norway was established in 1968, both countries have maintained ties based on trust and mutual respect. With the opening of the Norwegian Honorary Consulate Office here, I hope our ties will be strengthened in the fields of business, investment, and other areas of mutual interest. I also take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency, members of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Government of Norway on their upcoming Constitution Day which falls on 17th May. Thank you.