Issue #246 - 5 Apr 2021 Dear Subscriber, |
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The British High Commission and BMCC Presents Outlook on UK Green Investment Landscape
The BMCC was pleased to continue our collaboration with the British High Commission to promote climate change action and sustainable finance through the "UK Green Investment Landscape: Outlook for Malaysian Investors" webinar on 31 March 2021, the fourth and final instalment of a four-part webinar series under the Great for a Sustainable Future campaign.
The webinar was headlined by a conversation with the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell, which was chaired and moderated by the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Charles Hay MVO. It also featured a panel of distinguished experts comprising Allan Walker (Green Finance Specialist, Financial and Professional Services Group, UK Department for International Trade) and Federica Giacometti (Business Development Senior Associate, Multi-Asset Primary Markets, London Stock Exchange Group) in a discussion on the growing relevance of ESG investing for sustainable value creation amid the pandemic-driven global economic crisis.
In his opening address, Abrar A. Anwar, Chairman of the BMCC and Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Standard Chartered Malaysia said the BMCC is committed to playing an active role in encouraging our members of both Malaysian and British heritage to make their commitments towards lowering carbon emissions. He added that the Chamber is looking forward to further collaborations with the British High Commission to engage Malaysian businesses on climate change action, leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26 in November 2021.
H.E. Charles Hay MVO said in the past two years, there had been a growing realisation that climate change is no longer simply a risk or cost to deal with, but rather a business opportunity. His Excellency added that the UK is planning to create up to a quarter-million high-quality green jobs in the climate sector over the coming years.
Lord Mayor Alderman Russell remarked that with the UK holding presidencies of the COP26 and G7 this year, the role of green finance has become his top priority. Perceiving climate change to be a bigger threat to the world than the COVID-19 pandemic, he said climate needs to be part of every financial and investment decision – and that this will be the future of finance, where all finance will be green.
The Lord Mayor added that the City of London as a global financial hub is shouldering its responsibilities to support the transition to net zero and bring together the many different efforts on green finance, specifically in supporting the COP26 private finance agenda to provide the right framework for climate reporting, risk management and returns. He also urged Malaysian corporates to sign up to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) as it is the standard that is gaining more traction than the others.
Jennifer Lopez, Chief Executive Officer of the BMCC, was the host and emcee for the event. The BMCC thanks the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur as well as our esteemed speakers for the successful delivery of the webinar.
Watch the webinar replay here.
For enquiries on UK green investment, please contact Nadzirah Ali (Inward Investment Manager, British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, Department for International Trade) at +6 (0)3 2170 2216 or email: sitinadzirah.ali@fcdo.gov.uk. |
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BMCC Congratulates Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman on His Appointment as MIDA's New CEO
On 1 April 2021, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) announced the appointment of Mr. Arham Abdul Rahman as their new Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of their former Chief Executive Officer Dato' Azman Mahmud after 32 years of exemplary service.
Mr. Arham, who was previously Deputy CEO 1 of MIDA, has an outstanding track record and a highly distinguished career spanning more than three decades with MIDA. The BMCC congratulates Mr. Arham on his new appointment and looks forward to continuing our stellar relationship with MIDA, which has always been a valuable source of support for our work in advancing bilateral trade relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia.
The Chamber would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dato' Azman for his past support and convey our best wishes to him as he starts a new chapter in his life.
Related news article here. |
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BMCC Meets with TalentCorp to Explore Collaborations
The BMCC team was pleased to meet the CEO of TalentCorp Malaysia Berhad, Thomas Mathew, and his team at the TalentCorp office on 26 April 2021. The objective of the meeting was to understand better the latest initiatives in their pipeline under the Talent and Graduates programmes, and also to seek potential opportunities for ventures through the BMCC pillar of services and network. TalentCorp is an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) that drives Malaysia’s talent strategy towards becoming a dynamic talent hub. They partner with the public and private sectors to implement initiatives that attract, nurture and retain the right expertise needed to meet the talent demands of today and in the future. The BMCC continues to give our fullest support to the nation's talent agenda and is looking forward to potential future collaborations with TalentCorp. Representing TalentCorp: Thomas Mathew (Chief Executive Officer); Nazrul Aziz (Head, Industry Partnership/ Graduate Emerging Talent); Vaffa Chau (Manager, Malaysian Professional Talent); Megat Fazrul (Manager, Industry Partnership/ Graduate Emerging Talent) Representing the BMCC: Jennifer Lopez (Chief Executive Officer); Roufizah Razali (Senior Manager, Membership and Strategic Partnerships) |
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IGEM 2021: Calling for Interest from UK Exporters to Showcase UK Products and Solutions in Green Technology! (1 July - 31 December 2021) The BMCC is pleased to support the upcoming largest trade showcase in Southeast Asia for green technologies and eco-solutions over the past decade, the 12th International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2021). Calling all UK companies to join us in showcasing the best of British innovations under one UK virtual pavilion.
Register your interest here.
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Share Your Green Initiatives with Us!
The second "Green edition" BMCC e-newsletter is out and you can read it here if you haven't already done so!
In line with the BMCC’s decision to make sustainability and building a green economy in the digital era one of our focus themes for 2021, the last weekly e-newsletter of every month in 2021 will be published as a special “Green edition” to share only contents related to climate change and sustainable finance.
We continue to reach out to our members for newsletter content related to your green business initiatives, particularly in the areas of climate change and sustainable finance.
Please drop an email to comms@bmcc.org.my if you have relevant story ideas, thought leadership articles, news stories or achievements to share with us.
We look forward to hearing from you! |
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BCC Quarterly Economic Survey Q1 2021: UK Firms Fighting for Survival but More See a Route Out of Crisis
The BCC's Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q1 published on 1 April 2021 found that UK business conditions remained historically poor in the first quarter of 2021 as the third lockdown severely limited activity. Key findings include: - All the key indicators for immediate business conditions remained in negative territory and well below pre-pandemic levels in Q1;
- 83% of hospitality and catering firms reported decreased domestic sales in Q1; and
- 55% of businesses expect turnover to grow over the next 12 months, back to pre-pandemic levels.
Take a look at the further details here. |
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BMCC Webinar | Improving Employability Skills in the Finance & Accounting Sector Organised by the BMCC’s Higher Education Committee, this webinar features a list of highly regarded panellists who will discuss how enhanced collaboration between the government, professional bodies and the higher education institutions can improve employability skills within the finance and accounting sector. Key topics for discussion: - Current collaborative efforts that have worked successfully
- Further initiatives that could be undertaken to promote and improve collaboration
- Challenges to overcome
Esteemed panellists: - Dr Nurmazilah Dato’ Mahzan, CEO, Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)
- Thomas Mathew, CEO, TalentCorp
- Prof. Wing Lam, Provost & CEO, University of Reading
- Luke Joseph, Head of Country, BP & Regional Director, GBS Asia, BP Malaysia
- Prof. Shamsul Nahar Abdullah, Ph.D., FCPA, CMA, CA(M), Professor & Dean, International University of Malaya-Wales, IUMW Business School
- Calum Shepherd, International Client Relations Manager, Kaplan Financial Services (Moderator)
Date: Wednesday, 7 April 2021 Time: 4.00pm - 5.30pm (MYT) / 9.00am - 10.30 am (GMT)
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BritCham Singapore Webinar | Economic Briefing 2021
The Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum or OMFIF and the British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, reflect on a tumultuous year for the United Kingdom, with the dual impact of Brexit and COVID-19 in 2020 setting the opening scene for 2021.
As we move into the second act of 2021, we look ahead into the changes before us, their implications for trade and the tools at our disposal.
Date: Thursday, 15 April 2021 Time: 4.00pm - 6.00pm (MYT)
Check out other upcoming BritCham Singapore events here. |
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Requirement to Register and Update Workplace and Employment Information
The Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia issued a directive on 23 March 2021 that all employers who wish to hire and employ any workers are REQUIRED to update the work locations and employment information within 90 days from the date of commencement of operations/ business or acquisition of a business or change of name/ business location (Section 63A of Employment Act 1955).
Employers must download the registration form - 'Borang Pendaftaran Tempat Pekerjaan' and submit the completed document to the Department of Labour, Ministry of Human Resource.
For any enquiries related to the above requirements and registration, contact or visit the nearest Department of Labour office.
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MIDA's InvestMalaysia Portal Goes Live
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) announced in a statement on 29 March 2021 that its digital transformation initiative, better known as InvestMalaysia Portal, is now open to public.
The digital platform offers 10 modules for online application submission and serves as a single entry point for the stakeholders via the Investmalaysia.mida.gov.my microsite. Among the modules available include the enhanced Manufacturing Licence (e-ML), Exemption Letter from ML, Enhanced Incentive (e-Incentive), Expatriate Posts and Representative Office/Regional Office (RE/RO), Import Duty/Sales Tax Exemption (JPC) and MIDA Confirmation Letter (SPM) as well as Domestic Sales.
Related news article here. |
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SOPs for CMCO, RMCO
On 1 April 2021, it was announced the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang and Kelantan would be extended from 1 April to 14 April.
The recovery movement control order (RMCO) in Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Terengganu, as well as the federal territories of Putrajaya and Labuan would also be extended until 14 April.
Meanwhile, the CMCO in Sarawak was expected to end on 12 April.
The current restrictions on inter-district and interstate travel were also extended for another two weeks.
Relate news article here.
*English translation by AmCham |
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Third of UK's Biggest Companies Commit to Net Zero
In a media statement by the UK government on 30 March 2021, it was announced that nearly a third of the UK’s largest businesses pledged to eliminate their contribution to carbon emissions by 2050. Together these firms, including AstraZeneca, BT Group, Sainsbury’s, and Unilever, represent a total market capital of £650 billion. The government is urging more businesses to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 and build back greener ahead of UN climate conference COP26 in Glasgow.
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Charterhouse Malaysia | Virtual Open Day
Charterhouse, one of the original 7 British Public schools, with over 400 years of academic excellence, is coming to Malaysia in 2021!
Join our Leadership Team as they present the Charterhouse Malaysia Education programme and discover how we will work with you to make sure your child is "Future Ready".
There will be an opportunity to ask questions of both our academic and admissions specialists.
Date: Saturday, 10 April 2021 Time 10.00am - 11.00am
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Ramadan Iftar at Mandarin Oriental With the Holy Month of Ramadan slowly approaching, enjoy the best buka puasa you have come to know and love over the years at Mandarin Oriental. From our culinary masters cooking up a storm to showcase some of the all-time favourites, to our dedicated team of banquet professionals, your Ramadan Iftar at Mandarin Oriental will be remembered and talked about by your business associates and colleagues.
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Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre “Nostalgic Ramadan Corporate Packages”
Your perfect venue to Buka Puasa with your clients and associates.
With stringent compliance to safety SOPs and dedicated prayer and ablution facilities.
Call +603 2333 2877 to book! |
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Mott Macdonald Malaysia | PerjalananKu Mobile App to Assist Enhancements to Future Transportation Networks in Iskandar Malaysia and Melaka
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UKFCDO)’s Global Future Cities Programme has developed PerjalananKu, a mobile app to collect data on mobility habits which will help with enhancements to future transportation networks in Iskandar Malaysia and Melaka.
Flyer for Iskandar Malaysia here.
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MDEC Launches MYWiT Hiring and Training Initiative for Digital Services and Tech Roles
#MyDigitalWorkforce Work in Tech (MYWiT) is an initiative by the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to incentivise employers to hire Malaysians via digital upskilling and reskilling programmes. This initiative supports digital tech and service companies to hire digital talent through salary and training incentives. MYWiT consists of the following programmes: Digital Business Services (DBS) and Digital Tech Apprenticeship (DTA).
Get more information and apply here. |
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Tay & Co. | Landlords, Tenants and the Extended COVID-19 Act in Malaysia
The COVID-19 pandemic’s march towards calamity has undeniably left a wake of economic destruction in its path. To aid the amelioration of the economy, the Government gazetted the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Act 2020 (“the Act”) on 23 October 2020, which, among others, provides temporary relief from contractual obligations.
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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 Copyright © BMCC 2021 |
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