BMCC Newsletter Issue #447 - ASEAN Edition #1 (24 February 2025) |
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Dear Subscriber,
We are thrilled to introduce the BMCC ASEAN Edition Newsletter—a monthly newsletter that aims to serve as your dedicated source for all things ASEAN!
As Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, this special edition aligns with the Chamber’s priorities to highlight key regional developments, opportunities, and collaborations.
Stay informed with the latest ASEAN-related news, expert insights, and exclusive event updates, ensuring you remain at the forefront of the region’s dynamic business landscape. |
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ASEAN-UK Symposium to Develop ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework |
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Bringing together over 100 regional policymakers, academics, and industry practitioners, the symposium focused on leveraging the UK’s diverse and dynamic creative industries to drive economic development in ASEAN. By facilitating knowledge exchange and best practice sharing, the event reinforced the importance of cross-border collaboration in shaping a more resilient and innovative creative economy.
Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Khairul Firdaus Akhbar Khan, emphasised the significance of the symposium in establishing a strategic framework to guide ASEAN’s creative economy development. This framework, set to be a key deliverable at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in April or May, will help chart a unified vision for the sector’s sustainable growth.
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, highlighted that the collaboration and expertise shared in shaping the framework will not only strengthen ASEAN’s creative industries but also support a future where creativity drives inclusive economic growth.
BMCC’s Commitment to the Creative Economy We recognise the creative economy as a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and sustainable growth; therefore, we are committed to promoting and strengthening UK-Malaysia partnerships in this sector. |
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About ASEAN-BAC Malaysia
As Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia plays a crucial role in championing business-led initiatives that drive economic integration, innovation, and sustainable growth across the region. Serving as the private sector’s voice within ASEAN, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia works closely with key stakeholders to advance policies that enhance trade, investment, and entrepreneurship. BMCC is proud to collaborate with ASEAN-BAC Malaysia in driving strategic initiatives that strengthen UK-Malaysia business ties, foster cross-border partnerships, and support the development of high-impact sectors, including the creative economy. Through our engagement, we aim to contribute to a more connected and resilient ASEAN business ecosystem. |
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| 11 March | UK-ASEAN Business Forum |
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The UK-ASEAN Business Forum is the UKABC's flagship event in support of UK-ASEAN bilateral trade, investment, and government engagement. |
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Taking place in London, the Forum will bring together senior figures from the UK and ASEAN's public and private sectors to discuss the rapidly growing UK-ASEAN trading relationship, worth close to £50 billion. Malaysia's Chairmanship in 2025, under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' provides an opportunity to grow the UK-ASEAN trade and investment relationship, expand intra-ASEAN trade—currently standing at 25%—and strengthen regional integration. Key priorities of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council of Malaysia include developing an ASEAN Carbon Market, simplifying sustainability reporting, enhancing talent mobility, implementing a cohesive ASEAN AI Strategy, and fostering seamless connectivity across the region. The Forum will provide an unparalleled opportunity to deepen collaboration, align strategic goals, and expand trade and investment relationships. Sign up now to hear from BMCC Chairman, Mak Joon Nien, CEO and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, as he discusses "The Role of AI in Southeast Asia’s Economic Future." He will be speaking alongside The Rt Hon. The Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Chair of UKABC, in what promises to be an insightful and thought-provoking discussion. Don't miss out! |
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| BMCC at ASEAN-BAC Malaysia's Briefing Session |
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The BMCC recently attended an insightful briefing led by Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, who outlined ASEAN’s key economic priorities and initiatives for 2025.
Tan Sri Nazir Razak highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in driving business growth and economic development. He encouraged companies to actively participate in ASEAN-BAC events, emphasising the networking and partnership opportunities available. |
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With Malaysia chairing ASEAN in 2025, businesses can expect emerging opportunities across the region, driven by: - Greater involvement of international leaders
- A shift in focus from national to regional markets
- The rise of multilateral trade agreements
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Through these insights, we aim to keep our members ahead of regional developments and seize growth opportunities. BMCC looks forward to working closely with ASEAN-BAC to further strengthen bilateral trade ties between the UK and ASEAN. Stay tuned for more updates from BMCC on ASEAN-BAC initiatives! |
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| BMCC a Supporting Partner of the ASEAN Inclusivity Collective |
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The BMCC is proud to be a supporting partner of the ASEAN Inclusivity Collective, one of the ASEAN-BAC Malaysia's priorities launched in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN-BAC Chairmanship 2025.
This initiative aims to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as a driver of growth, innovation, and a thriving workplace culture. Our shared goal is to achieve meaningful progress in DEI by 2030, in alignment with local cultural values and national regulations. |
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In support of this Collective, we invite all BMCC Members to pledge your support to this impactful initiative and make a difference!
Learn more about the pledge by accessing the Terms of Reference here.
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| BMCC Energy Committee Discuss ASEAN Power Grid with UK FCDO SE Asia Regional Lead |
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The BMCC's Energy Committee recently met with Ivana Dimitrova, UK FCDO Southeast Asia's Regional Lead for Green Energy & Industrial Decarbonisation to discuss key developments in energy transition and decarbonisation.
Representing the BMCC Energy Committee was its Deputy Chair Leon Rosario, the Regional President (ASEAN) of Ricardo Asia Ltd. |
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The discussion covered the UK government’s latest priorities in energy transition and industrial decarbonisation, as well as potential avenues for collaboration to support ASEAN’s Net Zero ambitions. Key initiatives explored included the ASEAN Power Grid Initiative, a transformative effort to enhance regional energy connectivity through sustainable solutions.
Also joining the discussion were Sarazif Ramli (bp); Azril Hanif Zainal (ARUP); Sridaran Sabapathy (OPITO); Muru Loganathan (British High Commission Kuala Lumpur); Asyraf Shahar (BMCC).
Want to be part of the conversation? Join our Energy Committee and help shape the future of green energy. Contact asyraf@bmcc.org.my for more details. |
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| Briefing on the CPTPP's Effect on Trade with DBT and MDEC |
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The BMCC Team recently attended an exclusive and informative briefing on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), conducted by David Johnstone, Head of FTA Utilisation from the Department of Business and Trade, UK. We thank MDEC for coordinating and organising this joint session for BMCC and MDEC team members involved in trade and investment promotions work. |
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David’s briefing expanded on how CPTPP would benefit countries who are signed under the agreement, with a particular focus on the tech and digital industry. He emphasised the convenience that CPTPP provides for trading member countries, including tariff reduction, simplification in navigating customs, and digitally improving trade processes.
Of the countries in the ASEAN region that have signed the trade agreement, Malaysia is joined by Brunei, Singapore, and Vietnam. David highlighted that Indonesia is soon to sign, and that Thailand and the Philippines have expressed interest in joining this economically diverse network.
With the information and connections we acquired from this briefing, we look forward to further helping our members navigate this crucial trade agreement that will help strengthen businesses in the UK and Malaysia. |
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| ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships 2025 Open to Empower Women to Lead in STEM |
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On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the UK in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat opened applications for the second year of Women in STEM Scholarships under the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Education (ASEAN-UK SAGE) programme. This initiative reaffirms the UK’s commitment to empowering women in Southeast Asia and Timor-Leste to overcome barriers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), enabling more women to lead in these fields.
ASEAN-UK SAGE Programme tackles gender barriers to basic digital skills for employment, aiming to support the development of basic digital skills for marginalised groups to improve employment opportunities and therefore quality of life, which helps narrow the development gap in ASEAN. The ASEAN-UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships support this goal by providing financial assistance to disadvantaged women from ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste to access UK education in key STEM-related fields.
For more information on the ASEAN–UK SAGE Women in STEM Scholarships, For more information on the British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM, |
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| Malaysia to Lead ASEAN's Sustainable Future with Three Key Initiatives |
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Malaysia will champion three transformative initiatives — energy decarbonisation, biodiversity protection, and economic connectivity — to chart a bold course for the future of ASEAN in its journey towards realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
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Also present at the ASEAN Workshop on Sustainable Development (AWSD) 2025 were ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Kao Kim Hourn and BMCC's Patron, Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, Chairman of Sunway Group and United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Solutions Network Malaysia Chair. Read the full article here. |
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| Standard Chartered Calls ASEAN The Fastest Growing Trade Corridor |
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While the world debates the next chapter of globalisation, it’s a case of full steam ahead in ASEAN markets.
Investors are flocking to the region, drawn by its trade links, digital transformation and the demand for sustainable infrastructure. |
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In the view of Standard Chartered’s Future of Trade report, the fastest growing trade corridor is likely to be within ASEAN itself. They expect annual growth of intra-ASEAN trade to be the fastest of any such corridor in the world, averaging 8.7 per cent a year until 2030.
For more insights on diverse opportunities in ASEAN, click here.
Read the full article here. |
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| ACCA Supports ASEAN Sustainability Reporting Advocacy Collaborative (ASRAC) |
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Our member, ACCA, is a knowledge partner of the ASEAN Sustainability Reporting Advocacy Collaborative (ASRAC).
This initiative is designed to provide valuable input that reflects the views of businesses across ASEAN through active advocacy and engagement with standard setters and policy stakeholders.
Click here to find out more. |
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| CMI | Inclusive Leadership: Unlocking Global Talent (Webinar) on 25 March |
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Join Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for an engaging digital event that brings together expert speakers from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka to explore how businesses across the Asia-Pacific region can advance Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
During the event, they’ll tease out what is working, identify the barriers to faster progress, and help teams get ahead of any pushback from colleagues and customers to embed genuine inclusion across their organisations.
Date: 25 March 2025 Time: 8:00 pm (MYT) Venue: Online
To register for this complimentary webinar, click here. |
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Stay up to date with the Chamber’s latest news and activities through this newsletter or follow us on our social media platforms. |
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British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Berhad 201801018075 (1280091-P) No 02-B, Menara IQ, Lingkaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188 Kuala Lumpur Copyright © BMCC 2025 |
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