Issue #272 - 4 October 2021 Dear Subscriber, |
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BMCC Annual General Meeting 2021 Summary
In compliance with the Government's SOP to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, AGM 2021 was conducted on 23 September 2021 by way of virtual meeting and online remote voting. We are pleased to provide a summary of events below.
The meeting opened with a special recorded message from HE Charles Hay, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, who commended the BMCC for serving our members extremely well. The BMCC was also acknowledged for helping to secure GBP16.4 million of export business since the beginning of April 2021, and for enthusiastically supporting the British High Commission (BHC)'s efforts to engage business on the climate crisis in conjunction with the upcoming COP26 to be co-hosted by the UK this month.
On trade and investment, His Excellency emphasised that the Indo-Pacific region is the heart of the UK government's approach to foreign policy. This is well evidenced by the UK becoming ASEAN's first new dialogue partner in 25 years. His Excellency also said the UK remains committed to growing trade and investment further in Malaysia. To date, 100 UK companies have been granted MSC status, and while UK business interest in the market is holding up well, especially in the tax and education sectors with significant volumes of business won, it is important for the BHC and the BMCC to continue encouraging UK exporters to enter the market. His Excellency ended his message with a note of thanks to retiring BMCC Board members.
Following His Excellency's message, BMCC Chairman Abrar A. Anwar officiated the opening of the AGM and presented an overview of the Chamber's performance in 2020. Despite the tough year, the Chamber was able to retain about 82% of existing members in 2020, an increase comparative to 75% in 2019, ending the year with 48 Sterling Members.
While the COVID-19 pandemic derailed a large number of the BMCC's intended plans, we managed to pivot and navigate our way forward. By moving our work online, the BMCC was able to remain active during this period, putting our focus on three areas of priority: (1) Member Engagement; (2) Business Continuity; and, (3) Industry Advocacy & Government Relations. During the challenging times, the Chamber increased our member engagement activities as our top priority in order to help us understand and respond to members’ needs better.
The Chamber’s role as the collective voice of the business community for government engagement was heightened during the pandemic and we were kept busy with industry advocacy in the interest of our members for much of the year.
A total of 45 out 48 programmes for the year were organised digitally, including webinars, roundtables, forums and conference. We also successfully pulled off our inaugural digital conference, the BMCC-Standard Chartered Bank: Virtual Green Conference 2020, which attracted close to 300 participants and featured the Finance Minister of Malaysia as a special guest speaker. |
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The BMCC’s trade services team continued to meet its commitment as the delivery partner for the Department for International Trade, UK, facilitating more than 200 meetings with British exporters.
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During the Board elections that took place at the AGM, four Board members were re-elected and three new members joined the Board.
Abrar A. Anwar, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd, was re-elected as Chairman for a second term. Andrew Diamond, CEO, Asset Data Solutions Sdn Bhd and Nik Tasha Nik Kamaruddin, Senior General Manager (Group Brand Marketing & Communications), Sunway Berhad, were also re-elected as Deputy Chairman and Treasurer respectively for another term. Prof. Dr Mushtak Al-Atabi joins the officer bearers as the second Deputy Chair.
Long-standing Board members, Dato’ Larry Gan and David Ng ended their term at the AGM. The BMCC would also like to thank Dato’ Larry and David for their invaluable contributions to the Chamber during their Board tenure. More information on the new Board line-up here.
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Register Now for Malaysia Climate Action Week Events!
Join prominent thought and business leaders in pertinent discussions on leading-edge climate action initiatives and the much-needed transition to a zero-carbon future.
Click on the individual event links below to register: - Incorporating ESG Practices into Your Business (Monday, 25 October, 3.00pm - 4.45pm [MYT])
- How Climate Governance is Shaping Corporations around the World (Tuesday, 26 October, 3.30pm - 4.30pm [MYT])
- Accelerating Transition into Sustainable Energy (Wednesday, 27 October, 3.00pm - 4.45pm [MYT])
- Creating Climate Smart Cities towards Net Zero Ambitions (Thursday, 28 October, 3.00pm - 4:30pm [MYT])
- Race to Net Zero Supply Chains (Friday, 29 October, 10.00am - 11.30am [MYT])
- Climate Change and Food (Friday, 29 October, 3.00pm - 4.00pm [MYT])
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BMCC at the 17th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2021
BMCC recently participated in the annual Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) taking place virtually from 9 September until 31 December 2021. Themed "Empowering Halal Together, Tomorrow”, the event is hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), organised by the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and sponsored by CIMB. BMCC CEO Jennifer Lopez was honoured to represent the Chamber as a panellist for the Forum: Halal Trade Trends in ASEAN. Jennifer shared her wealth of experience in international trade by giving trade insights and touching on the prospects for UK businesses looking to venture into the ASEAN Halal market. With BMCC's extensive regional network and the Trade Services team being the overseas delivery partner for the Department of International Trade, UK, Jennifer emphasised BMCC's readiness to assist and facilitate UK business entry into the Malaysian market. Quoting the £4.7 billion total trade between the UK and Malaysia, Jennifer added that the Halal market is definitely something that UK businesses should look at, especially with the ongoing digitisation efforts and the robust development of the e-commerce sectors giving an added advantage to UK companies. If you would like to learn more on how you can benefit from BMCC Trade Services, please write to us at trade@bmcc.org.my. |
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Replay of BMCC Webinar| National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) – In Conversation with the CEO of ProtectHealth Corporation, Dato' Dr Anas Alam Faizli
If you missed our conversation with Dato' Dr Anas Alam Faizli, Chief Executive Officer, ProtectHealth Corporation (PHC) on the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK), watch the replay to hear his insights on PHC's leading role in increasing the involvement of private medical practitioners and NGOs in PICK and how these public-private partnerships are contributing to its positive outcomes.
Dato' Dr Anas also provided his thoughts on current issues of public interest such as the rollout of booster shots and the vaccination of adolescents in the informative Q&A segment. |
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BritCham Indonesia | Guide to British Business in Indonesia Handbook 2021/2022 is Now Open for Endorsements
BritCham Indonesia is currently working on our new edition of Guide to British Business in Indonesia (GBBI) Handbook 2021/2022. It is our most substantial hard-copy publication with up-to-date business directory, message from key institutional directors, and will also feature the usual guides of doing business in Indonesia. It will be circulated to our Embassy, government stakeholders, sponsors, and partners, with an estimated readership of 20,000 in both hard copy and electronic formats.
As a member of Britain in Southeast Asia (BiSEA), we are giving special rates for BMCC members to endorse your organisation in our upcoming GBBI handbook. Listings must be confirmed by Monday, 1 November 2021.
More information for advertisers here. |
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insigHT2021 (16-18 November 2021) The BMCC is collaborating with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) as SUPPORTING PARTNER at insigHT2021, a three-day virtual conference for the healthcare travel industry happening on 16-18 November 2021.
Join us to collaborate with key regional healthcare travel industry players as we strategise our business into 2022.
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Sterling Member Spotlight | Meet Roger Schultz, Head of The Alice Smith Schools Association
Roger Schultz is Head of The Alice Smith Schools Association, a not-for-profit educational foundation responsible for the administration of the Alice Smith School, a founding school of the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) that offers an outstanding education to more than 1,400 students aged 3 to 18 from all over the world.
In this interview, he shares with us the proudest milestones of the school, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and the reason he values the BMCC membership and the connections it brings.
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1) Malaysia’s Trade Performance Maintained Its Upward Momentum in August 2021
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) released Malaysia’s trade performance for August 2021 and the period of January-August 2021 on 28 September 2021. Trade increased by 15.7% to RM169.79 billion compared to August 2020, the seventh consecutive month of double-digit growth since February 2021. Exports grew by 18.4% to RM95.59 billion, the 12th consecutive month of year-on-year (y-o-y) expansion since September 2020.
The increase in exports was primarily due to strong external demand for petroleum products, electrical and electronic (E&E) products, owing to higher shipments of semiconductors as well as chemicals and chemical products. Exports to all major markets namely ASEAN, China, the United States, the European Union, and Japan recorded positive growth.
MITI Media Statement (ENG) here.
Trade Performance Infographic August 2021 (ENG) here.
Trade Performance Infographic January – August 2021 (ENG) here.
2) The 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (12MP)
On 27 September 2021, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob unveiled the 12th Malaysia Plan 2021-2025 (12MP) themed “Resetting the Economy; strengthening security, wellbeing and inclusivity; and advancing sustainability” in the parliament.
It was announced that the total allocation for development expenditure is estimated to be RM400 billion. Malaysia's economy is expected to grow at a rate of 4.5-5.5 percent per year, resulting in a higher Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of RM57,882 in 2025.
The following are some of the highlights of the 12MP: Gross exports are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.0 per cent, supported by higher value-added products and a diversified market. Gross imports are estimated to expand at an average annual rate of 5.9 per cent, in line with strong exports performance and higher domestic investment. The digital economy is expected to contribute 25.5 per cent of GDP by 2025. Employment is expected to grow moderately at 1.4 per cent per annum to reach 16.2 million by 2025, with an additional 1.1 million jobs created.
More information about the 12th Malaysia Plan, including the Main Document, Executive Summary, Speech and Video Presentation and Pamphlet here.
3) Phase Transitions and New Relaxation
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently announced the phase transitions of Melaka and Klang Valley, encompassing the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, the Federal Territories of Putrajaya and the state of Selangor, into Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
The state of Kedah will also move to Phase 2 of the NRP starting 1st October 2021. Several new relaxations have been made by the Pandemic Management Special Committee as outlined in the Prime Minister’s speech.
Prime Minister’s Speech (BM) here.
Prime Minister’s Speech (Unofficial English version**) here.
4) MyTravelPass Exemption for Malaysian Citizens
The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) has recently announced that effective 1 October 2021, all Malaysian citizens who wish to leave the country for specific purposes are given exemption from applying for MyTravelPass (MTP) approval.
Media Statement (Unofficial English version**) here.
** Unofficial English translation by the BMCC in collaboration with AmCham. |
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Skrine | Trade Protection Measures – Can They be Used to Enhance Your Business? Is there any way for local companies in the manufacturing sector to initiate trade protection measures in Malaysia? We will speak about the three main types of trade protection measures available in Malaysia namely, anti-dumping, safeguards, and countervailing. We will discuss current trends and how these measures may be beneficial for businesses.
Date: Thursday, 7 October 2021 Time: 4.00pm - 5.00pm (MYT)
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IUMW | An Unparalleled Lineup of Speakers Have Come to Share their Secrets @ IAC 2021
On 26-28 October 2021, the International University of Malaya-Wales (IUMW) will stream the all-in-one International Academic Conference 2021 (IAC 2021) that will bring you closer to leading industry and academic players than ever before.
We bring you five Insightful Panels with renowned experts for live discussions and Q&A sessions under the conference theme, Digitalisation in Transformation: Bridging Academia & Industry, giving you unique insights and takeaways for your business, career or professional growth as well as: - Never seen before Research Presentations
- Project Showcase from top student talent pools
- Professional Workshop Series
- Speed Networking
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British Council | Study UK Smart Talk Webinar Series and Alumni Awards 2021-22
Check out the latest Study UK highlights from the British Council this week:
The Study UK Smart Talk Webinar Series brings the best of British and Malaysian talent to give inspirational talks to young people. Sign up and attend to the sessions with Dr Amalina Bakri, Ian Yee, Celyn Bricker and Danial Rahman.
The Study UK Alumni Awards 2021-22 are open! Winners can expect recognition on the global stage, a professional development grant worth GBP 500 and a professional networking trip to the UK. Apply here now! |
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Marlborough College Malaysia ─ Online Admissions Morning
Outstanding academic results, in the top 2% of schools globally who offer IB, international award-winning pastoral care set within a 90-acre purpose-built site that includes an organic farm, golf driving range and lake for watersports.
Marlborough College Malaysia is in the top 15 schools in SE Asia and the top 100 schools globally by Spear's Schools Index 2021.
The Master invites you to come meet the staff and see the site. - UK National Curriculum, IGCSE & IB Diploma
- Age 3 to 18 years
- Co-educational boarding and day school
- Full co-curricular programme within the school day
- Lifelong membership of the Old Marlburian worldwide network
Date: Saturday, 16 October 2021 Time: 9.00am (MYT )
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PwC | The Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) Overview
The tabling of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) on 27 September 2021 comes at an opportune time as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 crisis.
Read the highlights in PwC Centre Stage: The Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) overview.
Download the report here. |
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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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