ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia had invited MAJECA to a closed-door online meeting on 3 November 2022 to discuss “Investment Opportunities and Challenges between Malaysia and Japan”.
This meeting was organised with the aim to facilitate an exchange of views on Malaysia’s continuous efforts to attract FDI into the country and foreign investors’ support needs in Malaysia and ASEAN, with a focus on the perspective of the Malaysia – Japan bilateral relationship.
Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, on behalf of Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President represented MAJECA at this meeting.
Members of the meeting included:
- Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid, Chairman, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia
- H.E. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia
- Mrs Najihah Abas, Executive Director Investment Promotion, MIDA
- Mr Mah Chun Wai, Director, Investor Relations – Asia and Oceania, InvestKL
- Mr Daiji Kojima, President, JACTIM
- Ms Mai Onozawa, Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur
Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal delivered his remarks.
Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) noted that there are new challenges ahead despite accelerating Japanese FDI in Malaysia.
He added that in the Malaysian and global context, Malaysia needs to continue presenting itself to be competitive and in a favourable environment, not only at the inception stage but continuously during the entire investment period.
He continued that as industries continue to operate during these turbulent times, one will see how the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic can be overcome, as well as how industries can navigate around the challenges arising from the war and hoped for a peaceful resolution to the war.
He echoed views of Ambassador Takahashi Katsuhiko of the importance and the opportunities presented by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the recent ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
These FTAs are progressive. Malaysia and the signatories should work together to reap benefits accorded under these agreements,” Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal said. According to Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, over 15,000 – 17,000 students from Malaysia benefited from the Look-East Policy where they went to Japan, studied and some of whom were gainfully employed there. These students were being equipped through education and practical experiences in Japan into skilled talents.
A group photo of the meeting participants.
(1st row, from left-to-right) Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid, Chairman, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, Council Member, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, and H.E. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia
(2nd row, from left-to-right) Mr Daiji Kojima, President, JACTIM, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, and Ms Mai Onozawa, Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur
(3rd row, from left-to-right) Mrs Najihah Abas, Executive Director Investment Promotion, MIDA, Mr Raja Singham, Council Member, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia, and Mr Mah Chun Wai, Director, Investor Relations – Asia and Oceania, InvestKL
ASEAN BAC made a Press Release on 3 November 2022 and can be read here https://mailchi.mp/760415066682/asean-bac-malaysias-q2-2018-newsletter-updates-15074118?e=5ee9d4c72e.
MAJECA 