BMCC Newsletter Issue #440 - (6 January 2025) |
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Highlights of the Week: - Malaysia's Positive Economic Outlook for 2025
- Toast to the New Year at our New Year's Drinks 2025
- BMCC Premium Member Spotlight on Venkkat Ramanan, Regional Vice President of Asia Pacific from AICPA & CIMA
- Meet the Newest Members to Join us in 2025: Red Dragon Consulting (IPGCE.com), Shermal Advocates & Solictors, and University of Southampton Malaysia
- Unlock New Opportunities and Download our Membership Directory 2024/2025
- Member-to-Member Benefits: Special Rates by EQ Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Holiday Deals by Malaysia Airlines
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Malaysia's Positive Economic Outlook for 2025 |
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Dear Subscriber,
Happy New Year! It's our pleasure to present our first newsletter of 2025.
We are excited to welcome the new year and witness Malaysia assume the ASEAN Chairmanship. Paired with Malaysia's strong economic performance in 2024, the nation is poised to maintain its growth trajectory, while enhancing its global presence.
Economists cite that Malaysia's GDP is projected to expand by up to 6.0%. This exceeds the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 4.2% GDP growth forecast for emerging markets and developing economies, which reflects Malaysia’s resilience in the face of global uncertainties.
Key Drivers of Growth - Private consumption and dynamic private investments contribute over 80% to the nation's GDP.
- Robust private investment expanded by 12.1% in the first three quarters of 2024, bolstered by rising incomes, low unemployment, and government income support initiatives.
- Malaysia is also strengthening its position as a regional data centre, advancing as a technological hub, and thriving within the global semiconductor ecosystem
- Proactive measures are being taken to address inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions, further strengthening economic stability.
Malaysia’s Growing Global Role As the Chair for ASEAN, Malaysia is set to enhance its international presence through: - Landmark Projects: Initiatives like the Singapore-Johor Special Economic Zone and expansions in technology-intensive industries.
- Regional Trade Agreements: Deeper participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) strengthens trade diversification and resilience.
These efforts are expected to position Malaysia as a global investment focal point while advancing ASEAN’s collective economic interests.
Projections and Opportunities Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted that the GDP growth remains on track at 4.8%-5.3%, driven by household spending. Economists also see additional opportunities in: - Increased foreign direct investments (FDI).
- New trade and investment avenues for Malaysian enterprises.
- ASEAN’s forecasted annual growth exceeds 5%, which ensures continued regional appeal to global investors.
We anticipate that Malaysia’s stewardship of ASEAN in 2025 will foster economic resilience, align regional economies, and elevate the region’s global reputation. With the Government's proactive efforts to attract businesses that are repositioning to ASEAN, these shifting global trade dynamics have great potential to grow the global economy and ensure continuous benefits for Malaysia and its partners.
Stay tuned as the BMCC organises ASEAN-centric events and programmes that aim to strengthen the relationship between Malaysia and the UK and establish Malaysia as the gateway to ASEAN. |
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Calling all BMCC Members,
Let’s kick off the New Year on a high note together! Join us for an evening of connection and camaraderie at our first networking event of the year.
Date: 9 January 2025 Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Venue: BMCC Office @ Menara IQ
Don’t miss this chance to connect and celebrate with fellow members.
We look forward to welcoming you! |
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| Spotlighting Venkkat Ramanan of AICPA & CIMA |
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"CIMA has had a strong presence in Malaysia for nearly 50 years, starting its operations in 1977. Today, Malaysia ranks among the top 10 growth markets worldwide for the CGMA Professional Qualification, a testament to the growing recognition of our qualification’s value. In 2017, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants was formed, with CIMA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) as founding partners. Together as AICPA® & CIMA®, we serve 600,000 members and students in 188 countries. Today, we have 24 offices in major cities throughout the world."
Read our full interview with Venkkat and find out more about AICPA & CIMA below! |
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Join us in welcoming the newest additions to our fast-growing member network. |
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Red Dragon is a leading platform supporting international teacher training. They offer flexible, affordable, globally recognised online UK programmes tailored to schools and educators. |
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Their services include professional development courses such as the PGCE, IPGCE, QTS AO and iQTS, leadership programmes, and free job advertising for schools. They can provide significant group discounts to schools that can enrol multiple teachers. Click here to book a consultation.
Their mission is to support schools in building strong, adaptable teaching teams that meet the demands of today’s global education landscape. To view their testimonials, click here. |
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| Shermal Advocates & Solicitors |
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Shermal Advocates & Solicitors is a litigation law firm based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The firm focuses on 3 key practice areas – corporate and commercial disputes, defamation and civil fraud. |
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Led by Shermaljit Singh, the firm regularly advises and acts for publicly listed companies, major companies and high-net-worth individuals mostly in the higher courts. The firm also frequently collaborates with some of the top litigators in Malaysia, forming dynamic teams of lawyers for big-ticket disputes.
Visit their website here. |
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| University of Southampton Malaysia |
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The University of Southampton has seven campuses, six in the UK and one in Malaysia. They were invited by the Malaysian Government to establish a branch campus for engineering within the EduCity development in Iskandar, Malaysia with their campus opening in October 2012. |
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Since its opening in 2012, the university has grown the number and variety of undergraduate programmes on offer and recently added Business, Computer Science and Economic BSc programmes to its portfolio as well as expanding the Foundation Year courses. Their split campus (UK and Malaysia) degree programmes offer the chance to gain a unique 'Southampton' education for the first two years in Malaysia combined with the final two years at a world-class research-centred university in the UK.
In October 2021, the University of Southampton Malaysia relocated to a brand-new campus, located in Eco Galleria, Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The upgraded 150,000 sq. ft. multi-storey campus is built to accommodate up to 2,000 students and features state-of-the-art facilities.
Visit their website here. |
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| BMCC's Membership Directory is Now Available! |
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This directory is more than just contacts! This informative document is a dynamic way to build your next connection and foster your next collaboration with our vast member network.
Inside, you'll find: - Essential member details and activities
- Sector insights and industry breakdowns
- Opportunities to explore partnerships and connect with leaders
Thank you to all members and stakeholders who contributed to the creation of this directory. We hope it will inspire growth across industries in the UK and Malaysia.
Explore the directory and unlock opportunities today! |
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| KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific | Malaysian SME Resilience & Growth Conference 2025 |
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KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, in collaboration with the SME Association of Malaysia and the Economic Club of Kuala Lumpur, is organising the Malaysian SME Resilience & Growth Conference. |
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As global markets increasingly prioritise sustainability and responsible business practices, it is imperative for Malaysian SMEs to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations to remain competitive and resilient.
This conference will convene industry experts, policymakers, and successful entrepreneurs to explore strategies for sustainable growth and innovation. Participants will gain actionable insights on leveraging sustainability as a catalyst for long-term business success.
Date: 23 January 2025 Time: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm Venue: Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur
KSI is extending three (3) complimentary seats to BMCC members to attend the conference. If you are interested in redeeming one of these seats, reach out to us at Comms@bmcc.org.my by 10 January 2025.
Click here for the conference programme. |
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| BMCC Meeting with MyDIGITAL |
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We met with MyDigital Corporation to discuss how the Chamber can support programmes and initiatives during Malaysia's ASEAN 2025 chairmanship. We also sought to collaborate on talent development and build a stronger dialogue to exchange best practices in the digital and technology space. |
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We thank Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid, Head of the National Artificial Intelligence Office, and Ellina Roslan, Senior Director, for meeting with us. The BMCC looks forward to working with MyDigital to advance Malaysia's digital economy agenda. |
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| National AI Office Malaysia Launched |
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Recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by the Minister of Digital, YB Mr. Gobind Singh Deo, launched the National AI Office Malaysia (NAIO), an extended branch under the MyDIGITAL Corporation. Driven by the accelerating advancement and expansion of Artificial Intelligence, NAIO serves as the dominant office in championing the AI agenda in the country, especially in transforming Malaysia into a premier AI producer. |
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A panel discussion moderated by Adrian Marcellus, CEO of MyDIGITAL Corporation featuring YB Fabian Bigar, Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital and the Head of NAIO, Mr. Sam Majid, was held. During this, NAIO expressed a call for feedback from local and international businesses on policies and technology, investments, and partnerships. He also shared that the current industry focuses are healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and public services.
He expressed that NAIO is interested in holding roundtable sessions with companies to field feedback, investment opportunities, and establish partnerships - altogether to help industries with their journeys into digitalisation.
You can also find out more here. |
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We're hiring! If you have the relevant skills for the following roles, apply now at info@bmcc.org.my. |
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| Vacancy for Membership Manager |
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Are you a person who is passionate about driving membership acquisition and retention through strategic planning, targeted outreach, and active engagement with potential and existing members?
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| EQ Kuala Lumpur Offers Special Promo Code for BMCC Members |
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EQ Kuala Lumpur is the BMCC’s preferred hotel!
Recognised as Malaysia’s #1 City Hotel in 2024 by Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific for the third consecutive year, EQ offers an unparalleled hospitality experience, with world-class accommodation coupled with breath-taking views, luxurious in-house facilities and versatile meeting venues, all complemented by exemplary EQ service standards. |
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Make your booking using the promo code BRITISHCHAMBERS on their website. |
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| Treat Yourself To An Amazing Holiday with Malaysia Airlines |
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Enjoy up to MYR500 off on Flight and Hotel packages with MHholidays as a BMCC member.
Book now until 31 March 2025.
T&Cs apply. |
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| Marlborough College Malaysia | Forthcoming Events in 2025 |
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Discover a world-class education with Marlborough College Malaysia's upcoming events. Sign your children up now and secure their future! |
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Singapore Information Evening Date: 14 January 2025 Time: 5:30 pm Venue: The British Club, Singapore
Admission Open Morning Date: 18 January 2025 Time: 8:30 am Venue: Marlborough College Malaysia |
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| TraTax | Tax Snapshot of 2024 and 2025 |
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As we welcome 2025, TraTax has provided a holistic snapshot of key tax measures set to be implemented by Malaysia during 2025.
Read the full snapshot on our website here! |
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| TraTax | Flagship Tax Conference 2025 |
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TRATAX is hosting a flagship conference on Malaysia’s evolving tax landscape, providing finance and tax leaders with key updates and strategic insights.
Date: 20 February 2025 Time: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Venue: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
This one-day conference highlights crucial tax developments in Malaysia. It equips participants with insights into the 2025 National Budget, key Sales & Service Tax (SST) changes, emerging trends in tax disputes, e-invoicing implementation and tax incentives.
Tax events are never dull, especially when hosted by TRATAX. This time, they’re making it even more exciting with a fun and engaging Tax Quiz based on the conference content. Winners will be rewarded with a MacBook Air or AirPods!
The conference is HRDC-approved. Early bird registration fee expires on 27 January.
Register and get more information here. |
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| IGB International School | New Year, New Open Day! |
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Kickstart 2025 at the only international school in Malaysia offering all four IB programmes — where IGB International Schoolsnurtures future global leaders beyond academics!
When: 18 January 2025 (Saturday) Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Where: IGB International School, Sierramas, Sungai Buloh
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| Knight Frank Malaysia Shares Data Centre Research Report 2024 |
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Bringing together key insights in a single report, showcasing Malaysia’s dominance in the SEA-5 Data Centre Opportunity Index.
Ranking first in the index for the second consecutive year, Malaysia recorded a significant annual take-up of 429 MW, outperforming regional peers. |
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Report highlights: - Malaysia secured RM141.72 billion in digital investments in the first ten months of 2024—triple 2023’s total.
- The country hosts 54 operational data centres with a 504.8 MW capacity, with Johor leading in IT capacity and Klang Valley remaining a core market. Emerging hubs include Sarawak, Negeri Sembilan, and Kedah.
- Notable tech investments include USD 23.3 billion from Microsoft, Google, AWS, and Oracle for AI and cloud infrastructure.
- Government initiatives like the Green Lane Pathway and Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) boost sustainability, while new planning guidelines foster a robust investment environment.
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| Welcome the New Year with Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur! |
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Make Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur your partner in celebrating the new year! Enjoy fine cuisine, stellar hospitality, and unique festive offers for the upcoming Lunar New Year by clicking the links below! |
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Indulge in Chef Takizawa’s meticulously crafted OSECHI Bento and New Year’s Special Set Course, which blend symbolic dishes with exquisite flavours to welcome 2025 in true Japanese tradition. |
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Accept this invitation to Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur and usher in the auspicious Year of the Snake in 2025 with a spectacular array of Chinese New Year celebrations. |
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| British Theatre Playhouse presents Beatlemania - A Musical Journey |
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Beatlemania - A Musical Journey is created by the British Theatre Playhouse to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of The Beatles, and will be performed by UK's No. 1 tribute band, The Cavern Beatles, hailed as being the closest experience to the Fab Four. |
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You have the power to make a significant impact. By taking up a sponsorship package to attend and participate in the exclusive BEATLEMANIA! ART FOR CHARITY gala event on 25 February 2025, you'll be supporting life-changing education programmes for underprivileged children and contributing to their future and growth through the JWYE Foundation.
If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact Dato’ Seri Azim Zabidi, Fundraising Chairman JWYE Foundation at azim@zabidi.net |
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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 2024 |
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