KUALA LUMPUR: Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun was conferred the “Order of King Leopold II” award for his long-term investment in the Belgium economy.
The award ceremony here was held yesterday in the presence of Belgian State Secretary Philippe De Backer, Governor of Antwerp province Cathy Berx and Belgian ambassador to Malaysia Pascal Gregoire. Also present was Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching.
The Order of Leopold II, which was established on Aug 24, 1900, is awarded for meritorious service to the sovereign of Belgium, and can be conferred to both Belgians and foreigners as a diplomatic gift.
In May 2015, Tan acquired a majority stake in Belgian football club, Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk (KV Kortrijk), one of the oldest football clubs in the country.
Tan, in expressing his deepest gratitude to the Belgium king for the award, said he never expected to be given such honour and recognition, while urging more Malaysians to invest and do business in what he described as an investor-friendly Belgium.
“I believe they always welcome investors with good backgrounds and strong commitments,“ he said.
Tan also accepted an offer made on Oct 1 to helm the Malaysia Belgium Luxembourg Business Council as its honorary chairman.
