PENANG: Dato Yeoh Soon Hin has been officially appointed as the Honorary Consul of Mexico in Penang, marking a new chapter in strengthening bilateral ties between Mexico and Malaysia, particularly in trade, investment and cultural exchange.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the St. Giles Wembley Penang Hotel on Tuesday (Jan 28), with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow as the guest of honour.
Also present were the Mexican Ambassador to Malaysia, Luis Javier Campuzano Piña; the Chilean Ambassador, Jaime Muñoz Sandoval; the Uruguayan Ambassador, Diego Pelufo Acosta y Lara; state executive councillors; members of the state assembly; members of the diplomatic corps; and business leaders.
In his speech, Yeoh said his appointment was both a personal milestone and a responsibility to advance the interests of Mexico and Penang.
“I see this appointment not merely as a title, but as a responsibility to safeguard the interests of Mexican nationals in the region and to strengthen cooperation between Mexico and Penang,” he said.
Yeoh, who is also Chairman of the Penang Port Commission and Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, said his existing roles would complement his duties as Honorary Consul.
“These positions give me a hands-on understanding of how ports, logistics and tourism drive economic growth, attract investment and create jobs,” he said.
He noted that Mexico’s trade engagement with Asia-Pacific economies has been expanding, with growing demand for electronics and consumer goods from the region.
Mexico and Malaysia have enjoyed a strong trade relationship for decades, with Mexico consistently ranking as Malaysia’s largest trading partner in Latin America, he added.
According to trade data cited by Yeoh, bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$12.4 billion in 2023 and continued to grow into 2024 and 2025, with Malaysian exports to Mexico surging by 145.5% to RM4.14 billion as of April this year.
Yeoh said Penang’s well-established electrical and electronics ecosystem positions the state as a natural partner for Mexico’s manufacturing and export sectors.
“By linking Penang companies with Mexican partners, we can create new opportunities for local suppliers, generate jobs and strengthen regional supply chains,” he said.
Beyond trade, Yeoh emphasised the importance of cultural exchange in building trust and long-term partnerships.
He announced plans to convene a Penang–Mexico Business Forum and to launch a Penang–Mexico Cultural Talk series, with the support of the Mexican Embassy.
“Culture builds trust and opens doors for business. Despite the distance, Malaysians and Mexicans share many similarities, from our love of food and music to strong family values,” he said.
Yeoh reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with businesses and communities in both countries to promote mutually beneficial cooperation.
