1.0 The 34th JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference was hosted by JAMECA at the New Otani Hotel, Tokyo, on 1 June 2016.    The theme was “Deepening and Strengthening the Economic Collaboration between Malaysia and Japan”.

2.0  A Roundtable Meeting with Hon. Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia was held with prominent Japanese businessmen from JAMECA prior to the 34th JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference at the New Otani Hotel, Tokyo.

 

 

3.0 Congratulatory Messages from the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Japan were read by the Malaysian Ambassador and the Japanese Ambassador, respectively.

 

4.0 The Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Hon. Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was the Guest-of-Honour.   In his keynote speech, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the following:

a) He acknowledged the roles of MAJECA and JAMECA that had spearheaded the bilateral economic and business relations between the two countries since their inception in 1977.

b) The bilateral relationship has been greatly enhanced through the Look East Policy (LEP) 2.0, building upon the foundation of human capital development as well as to achieve more technology transfers, effective collaborations in R&D and successful business joint-ventures.

c) In the regional fora, Malaysia and Japan are both members of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) as well as working closely on new and enhanced economic agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

d) In 2015, Japan was Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner with total trade valued at USD32.77 billion (RM127.4 billion).

e) Japan continued to be among Malaysia’s largest source of FDI in the manufacturing sector with a total of 3,362 manufacturing projects with Japanese interests with total investments of USD32.9 billion approved as at December 2015 in sectors such as electronics and electrical products, non-metallic mineral products, basic metal products, petroleum products including petrochemicals, chemical and chemical products and transport equipment.

f) Collaboration initiatives were undertaken, example JETRO organised the “Japan-Malaysia Invest Symposium” in Kuala Lumpur on 15 March 2016.  Another seminar on “Doing Business in Japan” will be organised by MITI, JETRO, MATRADE and MIDA on 14 June 2016.

g) Japan will host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.  Malaysian businesses, particularly those in the Halal Food Industry, were encouraged to capitalize on this major event to increase Malaysia’s business presence in Japan.

h) Japanese businesses were encouraged to use Malaysia as a gateway to the ASEAN market to take advantage of the ASEAN Community that came into force in January 2016.

5.0 The topic for Plenary Session 1 was “Update on the Status of AEC, RCEP and TPPA” by 1) Datuk Hiswani Harun, Advisor, Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia (MITI) and 2) Mr. Toshiyuki Sakamoto, Deputy Director-General for Trade Policy, Ministry of Economy and Industry (METI) Japan.

6.0 Plenary Session 2 topics included:-

1. Presentation by the Kedah State Government
2. Presentation by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), Malaysia
3. Presentation by The Japanese Chamber of Trade & Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM)

6.1   The Kedah State Government and Invest Kedah Berhad briefed the participants on an “Overview and Introduction on Kedah State” and “Investment Opportunities in Kedah”.  The speakers were Hon. Dato’ Dr Ku Abd. Rahman Ku Ismail, Senior Kedah State EXCO, Chairman for Industry & Investment, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consumer Affairs and Dato’ Ahmad Shukri Tajuddin, Managing Director, Invest Kedah Berhad.

Some of the key data presented included:

 

 

 

 

7.0 The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) gave participants an Overview and Introduction of the ECER.  This was presented by Mr Saifol Bahri Mohammad Shamlan, General Manager of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC).

Key data included:

7.1 Mr. Fukuo Tsubouchi, Managing Director, Kaneka (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and Mr Takahara Toshiya, General Manager, Tosoh Advanced Materials Sdn. Bhd. made presentations about their investments in the ECER.

8.0 Mr. Masakuni Nakayama, Vice-Chairman of Trade and Investment Committee, The Japanese Chamber of Trade & Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM) spoke on the business activities and opportunities by Japanese Companies in Malaysia.

He said that Japanese companies investing in Malaysia look at the country from three different angles: innovation and enhancement of Malaysian industry, expectations on TPP and halal hub, and labour issues.

On the TPP, JACTIM hoped for further deregulations, such as to allow the participation of Japanese convenience stores into the domestic market which they think will help to modernize and revitalize small Malaysian retail businesses.

In respect of the promotion of Malaysia as a Halal Hub and a gateway to the Islamic world, JACTIM said that the Japanese food industry can offer detailed, fine-tuned production control know-how which has been strictly applied to ensure high level of food safety and believed that such expertise can satisfy the stringent standards of halal management. By attracting investment by the Japanese food industry in this area would ensure a win-win situation.  Japan is collaborating with JAKIM, the certification authority of Malaysia, and the Japan Halal Association and the Japan Muslim Association have been recognised as certification organization by JAKIM.  This would augur well for Malaysia’s food industry sector in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 when Japan would welcome Muslim guests.

9.0 Plenary Session 3 focussed on Investment Opportunities in Japan.. The speakers were:

1. Mr Kazuya Nakajo, Director General, Invest Japan Department, JETRO
2. Mr Masaaki Shimizu, Managing Director (CEO), Brahim’s Food Japan Co., Ltd.
3. Mr Susumu Hosokawa, Managing Director, AT Toyyibah Japan Co., Ltd.

Key slides were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.0 During the Closing Ceremony, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA, issued an invitation to JAMECA to attend the 35th MAJECA-JAMECA Joint Conference that will be held in Malaysia in 2017.  The 35th Joint Conference is significant as MAJECA celebrates its 40th Anniversary of MAJECA-JAMECA relations that began on 8th November 1977, marking an important milestone and achievement for both the Associations.

11.0 The Hon. Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia graced the dinner hosted by JAMECA after the Conference.  In his speech at the dinner, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister congratulated JAMECA and MAJECA on the success of the Conference.

12.0 The 35th MAJECA-JAMECA Joint Conference will be held in Malaysia in 2017.

 

13.0 MAJECA and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Kuala Lumpur organised a visit to JETRO Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) office at Ark Mori Building, Tokyo.  Mr Fujihara Masaki, Director of Invest Japan Support Division, Invest Japan Department, JETRO Headquarters welcome and briefed the MAJECA and JETRO delegates on JETRO’s Invest Japan Programme and IBSC.   The delegates also toured the IBSC facilities after the meeting.

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Newspaper Articles on the 34th JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference

1. The New Straits Times on 1 June 2016
   
2. The New Straits Times on 2 June 2016 (1)
3. The New Straits Times on 2 June 2016 (2)
4. The Star on 2 June 2016
5. The New Straits Times on 3 June 2016 (1)
6. The Edge Financial Daily on 3 June 2016

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