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Issue #233 - 4 Jan 2021
Dear Subscriber,
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Happy New Year

Dear valued members,

A very happy 2021 and welcome back. I trust you had an enjoyable year-end break, and are recharged and raring to get back into the world of business! After a year of valuable lessons, gained from innovative ways of operating in the new normal amid a suddenly transformed business landscape, I would say there is a lot to be hopeful and excited for moving forward. The oft-quoted saying “In every crisis lies opportunity” has certainly never been more appropriate than right now, as we emerge more resilient, agile and ready to adapt to thrive.

One unexpected outcome of the global pandemic is the rising collective awareness of the importance of climate action. The positive effects of reduced environmental pollution during the global lockdown cannot be overlooked, and it is now ever clearer what steps we, as business leaders and participants of the global economy, must take to secure the future of our planet. In line with this, BMCC has decided to make sustainability and building a green economy in the digital era as one of our focus themes for 2021.

To start the year on a “green” note, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage our member companies to join the thousands of businesses globally that have already signed up for the RACE TO ZERO CAMPAIGN in support of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Please contact Hafiz@bmcc.org.my by 15 January, if your organisation has already joined this global initiative or is interested to participate.

BMCC plans to organise various initiatives throughout the year focused on supporting our members in building greener businesses, in the run-up to the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (COP26) to be jointly hosted by the UK and Italy in Glasgow, Scotland from 1 to 12 November 2021.

The UK and Malaysia’s robust bilateral trade and investment relations nurtured through historical context continue to create various opportunities for businesses. Prioritising our work in the interest of our members based on these opportunities and current economic conditions, we will be focusing on selected areas in delivering our initiatives such as education, digital transformation, e-commerce, sustainability, green solutions, health and wellness, diversity and inclusion, as well as promoting the role of SMEs in the global value chains.  These areas are based on the collective feedback we have received through various engagements with members and stakeholders in the last few months of 2020. We will be reaching out in due course to set up interest groups in these areas, as we trust through focused engagement with our members, we will be able to deliver the right initiatives to share insights, exchange knowledge, and collaborate for mutual benefits.

In 2021, we will continue to focus on strengthening our industry advocacy work. In addition to current sector committees and networks in education, energy and construction and engineering, we intend to set up additional networks based on the interests of our members. Collaboration and coming together as one with our members and stakeholders are important to create a greater presence and stronger engagement to strengthen the voice of business for advocacy, which is much needed during these times. Together with my team at the Executive Office, we welcome feedback from our members.

To usher in the new year, I look forward to sharing a toast with you at our traditional New Year’s Drinks on 27 January. Moving on, Q1 will see a wide variety of scheduled talks and networking events; we are also thrilled to bring back the Annual Business Excellence Awards in 2021 after a hiatus year. Another activity in the pipeline is the first ever BMCC golf tournament, which we are excited to present as a signature networking event. There are many plans in the pipeline. However, we will continue to remain agile and adaptable to whatever changes that may come in 2021 to ensure we are delivering services and initiatives that meet the needs of our members. Do stay connected with us for the latest developments and happenings at BMCC by subscribing to our e-newsletter or through our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

I would like to thank all our valued sponsors, partners and members for your continued support. On behalf of the BMCC Board of Directors and the Executive Office team, I wish you a better, more productive and rewarding 2021!
 
Jennifer Lopez
Chief Executive Officer
BMCC
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BMCC Johor Chapter New Year's Drinks 2021

The British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce is back in Johor! Gear up to meet and expand your business contacts with fellow BMCC members, stakeholders, potential investors or prospective partners from across the region. Join us at our inaugural Johor Chapter New Year's Drinks 2021 to welcome the new year!

Date: 14 January 2021
Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Venue: George & Dragon Café 

BMCC Johor Member: Complimentary
BMCC Member: RM80
Non-Member: RM160

Register here.
 
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BMCC In Conversation With His Excellency Charles Hay MVO, British High Commissioner To Malaysia

Join us for an exclusive digital conversation with HE Charles Hay MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia. Topics of conversation will include:
  • EU Exit update
  • Bilateral relations with Malaysia
  • Update on UK Government priorities for 2021

The webinar will include a Q&A session. Participants are encouraged to forward questions to events@bmcc.org.my prior to the webinar.

Date: 25 January 2021
Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm (MYT)

Register here.
 
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BMCC New Year's Drinks 2021

Join us in toasting to the new year with the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, our Board of Directors, and members at our customary New Year's Drinks 2021! We look forward to welcoming you back. 

Date: 27 January 2021
Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm
Venue: Royal Selangor Visitor Centre

BMCC Member: RM80
Non-Member: RM160

Register here.
 
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Race to Zero Campaign

The BMCC is working with the British High Commission, Kuala Lumpur to encourage our members to commit to reaching Net Zero by 2050 by joining the RACE TO ZERO CAMPAIGN, in the run-up to the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (COP26) to be jointly hosted by the UK and Italy in Glasgow in November.

Please contact Hafiz@bmcc.org.my by Friday, 15 January, if:
  1. Your organisation has already joined this global initiative; OR
  2. Your organisation is interested to know more about this campaign and keen to join.
We will also be forming an interest group on sustainability in 2021, as we would like to work together with our members to multiply the impact of our work to mitigate climate change, as COP 26 draws close. If your organisation is keen to join this interest group, please contact Hafiz too.
 
We look forward to your participation.
 
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BritCham Cambodia: eCommerce Outlook in Cambodia 2021

On 2 November 2020, the Royal Government of Cambodia announced its Law on eCommerce. Since the pandemic, eCommerce is among the fastest moving markets. Cambodia estimated $183m in revenue with an annual growth rate of 11.4%. We are bringing you experts from DFDL, Digital Rain and Mango Tango to share with you what we need to know about eCommerce in Cambodia. 

This webinar is free to Britcham members.

Date: 12 January 2021
Time: 3.00pm (Cambodia time)
  
RSVP before 11 January: 
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Schools, educational institutions to open 20 January, IPT 1 March — PM Muhyiddin

All educational institutions under the Ministry of Education (MoE) will be opened on 20 January, according to the scheduled academic calendar, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. For private and international educational institutions registered with the MoE, it is subject to their respective academic calendar in addition to following the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council (MKN).

MoE media release (BM version) here.

News article here.
 
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RMCO nationwide extended until 31 March 2021

On 1 January, the government extended the recovery movement control order (RMCO) nationwide to 31 March 2021, after it was originally scheduled to end on 31 December 2020, when the country reached its new record high of daily Covid-19 cases.

Federal government gazette here.

News article here.

 
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Advertisement on MYFutureJobs for the Hiring of Expatriates

Effective 1 January 2021, employers must advertise vacancies for a minimum of 30 days and conduct interviews to obtain local talents as a precondition for application to hire expatriates.

Infographic here.

Frequently asked questions here.

Employer manual for advertisement here.

More details here (BM version).
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Smith+Nephew is a global portfolio medical technology business. We design and make technology that takes the limits off living, and we help healthcare professionals achieve the same goal.

Principal Representative:
Mark Arthun (Managing Director & Site Leader, Smith+Nephew Operations Sdn Bhd) 
E: mark.arthun@smith-nephew.com | T: 012-9883560 | W: smith-nephew.com
 
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ORCHID LEADERSHIP Coaching & Consultancy Ltd supports managers and business owners globally in becoming powerful and impactful leaders and serves to reveal the leader within all of us. Serving corporate leaders, executives, education leaders and international school owners, through tailored coaching programmes, training and consultancy services.   

Principal Representative:
Karen McClymont (Director, ORCHID LEADERSHIP Coaching & Consultancy Ltd) 
E: karen@orchidleadershipcoachingandconsultancyltd.com
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EIC LIVE e-vent: Outlook on Asia Pacific Transition to Clean Energy: What’s Happening in the region?

Hear from our panel speakers and join our live Q&A to discuss the current state of play with regard to energy transition in Asia Pacific. In the second part of the webinar we will zoom in on hydrogen, presented by a major regional energy operator and a leading UK hydrogen industry player.
 
Event Information

Date: Monday, 11 January 2021

Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm MYT/SGT (8.00am - 9.00am London)

Cost: Free of Charge to both EIC Members and Non Members

Register here.
 
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Talent & Business Connectivity in Challenging Times

The current COVID 19 is posing numerous challenges to international companies and Expats based in Malaysia. Short term economic pressure is to reduce employment opportunities and specifically to cut back if not eliminate all learning or internship type programs.

However, as gaining access and nurturing talents provides the core competitive edge of business, neglecting them will make recovery more difficult. Meanwhile, restriction in local mobility and international travel is constraining normal business engagements, hampering the bottom line.

Learn about our “International Internship Program” which is part of our larger project “Talent & Business Connectivity for Career Development” which serves to enhance talent and business connectivity in time of mobility restrictions as well as to promote academia-industry co-operation for human resource development in a sustainable way. We work with specially selected local universities to identify candidates of high caliber and positive mindset and provide you with value added services to meet your needs at this challenging time.

Please feel free to contact wee@sciencecareer.asia / call +6016-6361734 (Ms Wee) for more information or register your interest here.
 
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ILM report: Leading Through Challenging Times

Leaders and managers need to be equipped better to lead through times of crisis new report finds. Clearly 2020 has been an incredibly difficult time for many businesses thanks to COVID-19 and many businesses have fought for their very survival.

Leaders and managers have truly been put to the test and, in some cases, their skills have found to be deficient in areas that could have enabled them to navigate this difficult period more effectively. That’s according to new research from ILM – a City & Guilds Group business and the UK’s leading provider of leadership qualifications – which finds that nearly three quarters of employees surveyed (73%) believe that some part of the company’s leadership has been lacking during the pandemic.

Read the full report here.
Upcoming Leadership Webinar:  What Is Impactful Leadership In A Virtual World

With a shift to virtual working and change becoming a constant, what does impactful leadership look like? When Covid hit the globe, the working culture businesses once had disappeared over night, with staff working at home and customer transactions largely being remote.

Businesses across the world have had to adapt the way they lead and their strategies for workforce skills development. In many cases, this has meant empowering and trusting staff to take more control of their daily schedule and to meet their performance targets in a more flexible working culture. How is this working in practice and what challenges are businesses facing?

Our upcoming ILM webinar will share views and experiences on how businesses and leaders are supporting the wellbeing of their workforce, ensuring performance is maintained and that their customer experience is not impacted.

Date: Wednesday, 27 January 2021
Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm CST

Register here.
 
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Human Resources & Legal Dilemma: Employees Tested Positive for Covid-19
 
Malaysia reported a record high of 2,188 new Covid-19 cases on 24 November 2020, bringing the total number of cases in the country to a whopping 58,847. As Malaysians observe the constant escalating number of Covid-19 cases, the likelihood of employees being exposed to Covid-19 virus will also increase.
 
Read the full article brought to you by Tay & Partners here.
 
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Download our Risk Outlook 2021 Predictions Paper

For the fifth year in a row, we are proud to have developed the Risk Outlook report alongside Ipsos MORI. 2020 has shown that, on its own, the past is a poor guide to the future. But armed with this expert analysis and insight, leaders will be better equipped to navigate the uncertain times ahead. 

Download our brochure here.
 
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UKCA marking with BSI - The new product marking for Great Britain
 
From 1/1/21, the UK will update its laws that regulate product safety and performance. The same standards as now will enable conformity with these laws, from PPE to machinery, electrical equipment to construction products. This new regime will bring some changes to the way in which regulations reference standards.

More details here.
Download the brochure here.
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BSI Training Academy: ISO training and business improvement courses

Because we help shape international standards, there’s no one better to help train you and your staff on how to implement management systems to make your business more secure, more successful and more resilient. We don’t just train you to meet standards – we help you to understand how to embed them into your organisation.

View 2021 training courses here.
 
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JLL's Occupancy Benchmarking Guide

Pre pandemic, flexible work and mobility program trends were upending everything we knew about occupancy planning and space design, transforming traditional workplaces into agile and collaborative spaces. Then, COVID-19 hit and launched the world’s largest “work-from-home pilot” ever imagined and forced a reversal of trends.

JLL's annual benchmarking reports uncover trends based on data from more than 100 organisations across the world . View and compare global and regional data on a wide range of workplace planning topics.

Read the guide here.
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Advertise with us! Email to comms@bmcc.org.my for advertising opportunities


British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Berhad
201801018075 (1280091-P)
E04C0, 4th Floor East Block, Wisma Golden Eagle Realty, 142-B Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
T: +603 2163 1784 / 1786 |  E: info@bmcc.org.my  |  W: www.bmcc.org.my
Copyright © BMCC 2021

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