4 September 2013: MAJECA is a recipient of the Japanese Foreign Minister’s award

The award is for the following:

“in recognition of its distinguished service in promoting mutual understanding and economic cooperation between Japan and Malaysia, contributing to promoting friendly relations.”

The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups of outstanding achievements in international fields to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. It also aims to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for their activities.

The commendation ceremony was held at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia.  YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Thong Yaw Hong, Vice-President of MAJECA, accepted the certificate on behalf of MAJECA.

In his speech, Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Shigeru Nakamura, remarked:

“First, let me touch upon MAJECA’s contributions. MAJECA and its twin organisation; Japan Malaysia Economic Association, JAMECA’s establishment were initiated with the full support and blessing of the then Prime Minister Fukuda and Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn in 1977. Since then we have witnessed great progress and tremendous growth in our bilateral trade and investments. This is a symbol of the strong economic ties between our two countries which is boosted by MAJECA’s numerous activities including frequent exchange of business missions and information sharing to build a foundation of mutual understanding.

As you may know, Japan is the first country Malaysia entered into an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with, and it furnished the cornerstone of our countries’ strong economic partnership. MAJECA contributed considerably in the process by providing the Malaysian government with useful input and helped to make possible the EPA’s smooth acceptance by the business sector. 

In addition, MAJECA is a staunch supporter of the Look East Policy which celebrated its 30th Anniversary last year.   MAJECA also took an initiative last year to approach the Malaysian Government to advocate the continuous importance of the Look East Policy. As a result, the Malaysian Government arranged for the 30th Anniversary of the Look East Policy to coincide with the MAJECA/JAMECA joint annual meeting on the 10th of October last year. I would like to laud the significant role MAJECA has played to cement the connection between our two countries.

On behalf of the Foreign Minister of Japan, I would like to laud MAJECA and University of Malaya’s Japan Studies Program’s endeavors which have benefitted Japan and Malaysia tremendously and have also cemented the close friendship and partnership between both our countries. Today’s commendation ceremony expresses the Government of Japan’s appreciation to both organizations for their contribution in strengthening the ties between Japan and Malaysia.”

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Thong Yaw Hong, MAJECA Vice-President, receiving the award from H.E. Shigeru Nakamura, Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia.

In a reciprocal speech to accept the award, YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Thong Yaw Hong, stated:

“MAJECA is very honoured to be awarded by His Excellency the Foreign Minister of JAPAN for promoting mutual understanding and close economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and Japan for the Year 2013. On behalf of the association, I am very honoured to receive this commendation award.

Since its inception in 1977, MAJECA has been a strong advocate of its mission and vision in fostering closer economic relationship between the private sectors of Malaysia and Japan. This had been achieved through a series of conferences, seminars, business missions and exchange visits organised bilaterally. The firm foundation that had been laid has grown from strength to strength over the years, as evidenced by the fact that Japan remains the largest foreign investor in Malaysia to date.

Moving forward, and with the firm commitment of both our respective Prime Ministers to build on the 2nd wave of the Look East Policy (LEP), MAJECA is ready to play its proper role. We shall work with all stakeholders to bring the relationship between our private sectors to the next level. We will support and reinforce the Government’s renewed initiatives through the Government to Government channels.”

Tan Sri Datuk Seri Utama Thong Yaw Hong speaking at the Commendation Ceremony to accept the award and expressing appreciation on behalf of MAJECA.

The AJBM was hosted by MAJECA, with the theme of “Global Challenges – Japan-ASEAN Response”.

• Keynote Address: The Rt. Hon. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Haji Mohd Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
• Global challenges (i.e. Eurozone crisis, US economic downturn, security in the Asia Pacific) and their impact on Asia
• ASEAN-Japan response : How each country and ASEAN as a whole surmount the difficulties and challenges, especially by taking advantage of regional cooperation and integration; how ASEAN and Japan can strengthen its collaboration, for the stability and growth of each other as well as for the world economy.
• Luncheon Talk : Hon. Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, Deputy Minister (Trade), Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia
• ASEAN-Japan Business Collaboration: Successful ventures and business linkages between ASEAN & Japan corporations in the Asia and other regions (Asian, African and Islamic markets); selected examples and models, as well as suggestions from ASEAN Countries.

Introduction

The 31^st MAJECA-JAMECA Joint Conference was held on 10 October 2012, after the Conference on “The Look East Policy – A New Dimension”. The lead organizer of the Look East Policy Conference was Malaysian Investment Development Authority MIDA. MAJECA and JAMECA were co-organisers.

Keynote Speaker

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Hon. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, was the Keynote Speaker at the Conference in the morning.  The Prime Minister highlighted three things to work towards the future success of the Look East Programme, that is:

a)       Continue to acquire skills, knowledge and values and apply them further by widening the net and getting more SMEs involved.  To get more Japanese SMEs to work with Malaysian Companies in specialist areas like green technology, key technical services and other high value added sectors.

b)       Construct a Look East programme that is more targeted and closely linked to specific outcomes in line with Malaysia’s focus on high technology and knowledge driven industries such as industries related to management of the environment, energy saving and green technologies.

c)       Concentrate on building not just stronger graduates, but also stronger institutions.

Briefing by the Hon. Minister of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia

The Minister of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia, Hon. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, presented a briefing on Malaysia as a preferred business destination.

Panel Discussion

The panellists and topics covered at this session were:

a)    Mr Mark Rozario, CEO, National Innovation Agency: Innovation, Technology & Skill Development : The Driver of the 2nd Wave of Japanese Investments

b)    Mr. Kimihisa Kitamura, Managing Director, Kawasaki Gas Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd: Development and international expansion of Technology for energy-saving and energy-creation : Expanding to Malaysia and human resources development

c)     Mr. Tetsuro Kobayashi, Senior Managing Director, The Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association: Developing Human Resources to Establish a Foundation for High Technology in Malaysia

MAJECA-JAMECA 31^st Joint Conference

The 31^st Joint Conference commenced after luncheon.  Speakers made presentations on the following topics:

a)    Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Secretary-General, MAJECA: Future prospects of Malaysia-Japan economic cooperation including revitalization of Malaysia’s Look East Policy

b)    Mr Ku Kok Peng, Director, NKEA, ETP Investment & Oil Palm, PEMANDU: Malaysia, Prime For Investment

c)     Dato’ Hafsah Hashim, SME Corp Malaysia: The Success of MAJAICO & How It Had Created New Business Opportunities

d)    Datuk Takashi Hibi, President of the Japanese Chamber of Trade & Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM): Expansion of Japan-Malaysia Economic Relation supported by Look East Policy

e)    Mr. Masakazu Fujita, Chairman, Terasaki Electric Co., Ltd.: Harmony of globalization and localization : Cooperation with local suppliers in Malaysia and sharing new technology

f)      Mr. Tomoaki Saito, Director, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad: Advantages of Malaysia as a financial market : Our business development and cooperation with local companies

Dinner Talk

Hon. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the guest speaker at the Dinner Talk hosted by the Deputy Minister of International Trade & Industry, Hon. Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir.

The second roundtable discussed the way forward to deepen and broaden the Look East Policy in line with the current economic aspirations of Malaysia.

The Committee is co-chaired by the Embassy of Japan and the Public Services Department of the Prime Minister’s Office.  The committee is formed to look into commemorative activities in conjunction with the 30thAnniversary of the Look East Policy.

MAJECA organized a dinner meeting for the Keidanren Delegation at the Restoran Seri Melayu, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

MAJECA organised a round-table discussion on the way forward for the Look East Policy in conjunction with the 30^thAnniversary of the Policy.  Various stakeholders, including representatives from the Embassy of Japan, Alumni of the Look East Policy as well as MAJECA Executive Committee members attended the meeting.

Discussion topics during the Joint Conference were:

• Recovery of the Supply Chain from Great East Japan Earthquake & Priority Business Areas by METI, Japan
• Malaysian Economic Scenario & Progress of the Malaysian Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) by MITI, Malaysia
• Malaysia as an Islamic Financial Hub by Bank Negara Malaysia
• Possibilities of Japan-Malaysia Cooperation in Islamic Finance by Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ
• Malaysian Business Environment, Now and Future by JACTIM
• The Preferred Destination for Healthcare Travel (a Hidden Jewel) by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
• Human Resources Development through Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) by MOFA, Japan
• Urban Development & Environmental Technology – Smart Community Project by Toshiba
• Smart City Development in Selangor by Mayor of Shah Alam
• Smart City Development in Cyberjaya by Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd

Discussion topics during the Malaysia Seminar were:

• Investment Environment in Malaysia by Malaysian Industrial Development Authority
• Invest in Selangor by State Minister of Investment, Industries and Trade of Selangor
• Smart & Sustainable Development: Medini Iskandar Malaysia by Iskandar Investment Berhad
• Japanese Investment in Malaysia by Lion Corporation

During the visit to Yokohama, a lecture was held at the Yokohama City Hall entitled “Smart City Project in Yokohama”, outlining the Yokohama smart city project in cooperation with five other companies.

A tour to the local Eco-Facility was also held, where among the features shown were the solar-powered pavement & wind-generating house. There was also a visit to the Nissan Global HQ, where participants viewed the Electric Vehicle Testing Center & the eco-friendly company building.

The theme of the conference was “Empowering ASEAN-Japan Economic Partnership in the Changing Setting of the Global Economy”.

Discussion topics during the conference were:

1. Security and Risk Management as a Basis for Sustainable Growth:

• ASEAN and Japan after “3.11”, changing behavior of the Japanese industry (Japan +1)/construction and management of risk-resilient supply chain.
• Recent developments in the global financial and capital markets and counter measure for the region
• Review of the AEC blueprint (2011-2012); evaluation of its development, risks and remaining issues.

2. Future Energy Architecture and Co-operation in Asia:

• Energy strategy and recent developments, attempts and vision in the energy policy as a country and a sub-region.
• Complementarity among ASEAN countries and Japan for prosperity.

3. Human Resource Development, Exchange and Management

• Measures to be taken to realize free flow of human resources within the region (EPAs & ASEAN MRA)
• Greater exchange of human resources and cross-border development of business (supply chain management and human resources, training in the international backdrop)
• Corporate management to fully utilize human resources and achieve higher productivity.

Discussion topics during the summit were:

1. Towards the Development of the Asian Economy:

• Overview of the Asian Economy.
• Regional Integration and Roadmap Towards FTAAP
• Energy, Environment and Disaster Response

2. Private Initiative towards Growth Strategies

• Innovation and Technology
• Infrastructure Development
• Financial Co-operation in Asia