Category Archives: News

2024 News and Events

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SHRDC-MAJECA-MASSA Webinar on 18 January 2024: COSIRI Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing

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The Selangor Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC) with the support of MAJECA and Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) organised a webinar titled “COSIRI Framework for ESG towards Sustainable Manufacturing” on 18 January 2024. The webinar saw the participation of over 100 attendees. YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA and MASSA delivered the Welcome Remarks.

At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos, the International Centre for Industrial Transformation (INCIT) launched its Consumer Sustainability Industry Readiness Index, or COSIRI. The first of its kind, COSIRI is an independent, manufacturer-centric framework that is set to benchmark the sustainability maturity of global industry players and their ESG transparency and reporting.

The Consumer Sustainability Industry Readiness Index (COSIRI) is a comprehensive framework and set of tools designed to assist manufacturers, regardless of size or industry, to embed sustainability into all their operations. COSIRI serves as an independent benchmarking system to assess the sustainability maturity of manufacturers, help guide future roadmaps, and enhance Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) transparency and reporting for manufacturing organisations.

The programme of the webinar was as follows:

TimeItem
10.00 amOpening Remarks
10.05 amWelcome Remarks YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA & MASSA
10.10 amESG Webinar: Eager to Begin your Sustainability Journey? Ts. Dr. Chua Wen-Shyan Certified COSIRI Assessor (CCA), Head of Malaysian Smart Factory 4.0, SHRDC
11.40 amQuestion & Answer Session
12.00 pmClosing Remarks & Announcements.

YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President, MAJECA & MASSA delivering his Welcome Remarks.

Ts. Dr. Chua Wen-Shyan
Certified COSIRI Assessor (CCA), Head of Malaysian Smart Factory 4.0, SHRDC giving his presentation.

Meeting with InvestPerak on 17 January 2024

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MAJECA, represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive met with the Management Team of InvestPerak on 17 January 2024.

Mr Mohamad Hashim bin Abdul Ghani, Chief Executive, Dr Ahmad Shahir bin Abdul Aziz, Senior Manager and Mr Mohamad Shahriman Arif bin Mohd Shariff, Investor Relations Manager represented InvestPerak at the meeting.

The meeting discussed how InvestPerak and MAJECA could collaborate to raise awareness amongst the Japanese investing community about the investment opportunities in Perak State.

From left-to-right:
Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MAJECA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA, Mr Mohamad Hashim bin Abdul Ghani, Chief Executive, Dr Ahmad Shahir bin Abdul Aziz, Senior Manager and Mr Mohamad Shahriman Arif bin Mohd Shariff, Investor Relations Manager

Memorandum of Understanding with the Government-Industry TVET Coordination Body (GITC) on 4 December 2023 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre

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MAJECA, alongside 55 other associations and chambers of commerce representing over 10,000 companies across various economic sectors, had on 4 December 2023 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the newly established Government-Industry Coordination Body (GITC) on the occasion of its official launch in conjunction with the Launching Ceremony of the Polytechnic Transformation Roadmap 2023-2030.

The GITC was established as a tripartite coordination body involving representatives of all economic sectors at the national level and serve as a single platform to realise the industry-driven TVET agenda to coordinate integrated industry intelligence/inputs and advice in workforce development/manpower requirement and skills needs.

The Memorandum was aimed at fostering future talent needs and driving industry-led TVET empowerment agenda. Representing MAJECA at this Ceremony was YBhg Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President of MAJECA.

Further information about the 4 December 2023 Ceremony and the GITC can be read here: https://www.fmm.org.my/Announcements-@-GITC_Poised_to_Steer_the_National_TVET_Agenda_By_Implementing_Strategic_Collaboration_with_All_Stakeholders.aspx

Meeting with Mr Koichi Takano, Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur on 17 November 2023

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The Managing Director, Mr Koichi Takano met MAJECA President, YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim on 17 November 2023. Accompanying them were Mr Hiroyuki Nitta, Deputy Managing Director, JETRO, Ms Itsuko Ago, Director, JETRO, YBhg Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA and Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA.

The meeting was organised for the leadership of MAJECA to meet with the new leadership of JETRO Kuala Lumpur who had recently assumed office. The meeting highlighted areas of mutual & actionable interest and cooperation between Malaysia and Japan which include SMEs, supply chain and food security.

From left-to-right:
Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MAJECA, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, Mr Koichi Takano, Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA, Mr Hiroyuki Nitta, Deputy Managing Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur and Ms Itsuko Ago, Director, JETRO Kuala Lumpur.

49th ASEAN – Japan Business Meeting on 3 November 2023 at Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore

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The 49th ASEAN – Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) hosted by AJBM Singapore and the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) was held at Raffles City Convention Center, Singapore. A total of 150 members comprising business leaders and industry captains from across ASEAN and Japan registered. MAJECA (AJBM Malaysia) was represented by Mr Raja Hamzah Abidin, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA and Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary.

The ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM) is a multilateral, private-led forum between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The inaugural meeting was held in 1974 in Tokyo, Japan, on the initiative of Keizai Doyukai, one of the influential national business organizations in Japan.

Behind the creation of this forum was a strong belief among the Keizai Doyukai members of the time, that economic exchange on the private-sector level, supplementing official development aid, should play a key role to realize stability and development of the East-Asian countries. In comparison with other international conferences and forum, the AJBM is unique in providing an arena for private sector dialogue between Japan and ASEAN as a region.

AJBM Singapore and Keizai Doyukai, showcased a new format for the ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting. With the cooperation of Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting Group and the AJBM National Committees in ASEAN countries, this 49th meeting showcased real voices and latest trends to businesses in ASEAN & Japan. A series of workshops were held in the lead up to the AJBM with the assistance of Deloitte fraternity across ASEAN and Japan. The outcomes of these workshops on key business agendas were outlined and discussed at the 49th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting (AJBM).

Building on the outcomes of the 48th AJBM, wherein ASEAN-Japan partnership was further underscored, and human resources as a top priority issue was identified. The 49th AJBM, themed “ASEAN–Japan Common Agenda in the Value Co-Creation Era” highlighted additional key business agendas built on the aforementioned workshops, which included sustainable mobility and digital experiences to drive sustainable growth.

Opening Session

  • Mr Cecil Leong, Chairman, 49th AJBM (AJBM Singapore), PSA Singapore delivered the Welcome Remarks.
  • Mr Yuji Hirako, Co-Chairman, 49th AJBM (Keizai Doyukai), Vice Chairman, ANA Holdings Inc., delivered the Welcome Remarks.
  • H.E. Koji Ishikawa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Singapore delivered the Guest Remarks.
  • Mr Eugene Ho, CEO, Deloitte Southeast Asia delivered the Guest Remarks.
  • The Keynote Speech was delivered by H.E. Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Mr Fumikazu Kitagawa, Partner, Deloitte, Japan delivered the introduction to the aforementioned new concept & format of the AJBM and proceeding AJBM Plenary Sessions.

Plenary Session 1: Sustainable Mobility – Carbon Neutral Realities in ASEAN

Mr Takashi Kuwabara, Partner, Deloitte, Japan delivered the opening presentation on the above theme. Following that, the session then proceeded to a panel discussion comprising:

  • Mr Koji Ikeya, Former Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Mistubishi Motors Corporation
  • Mr Kasemsit Pathomsak, Vice Chairman, Board of Trade of Thailand (BoT)
  • Ms Corieh Dichosa, Executive Director, Philippine Board of Investments
  • H.E. Dr Yusra Khan, Ambassador, Environment Stakeholder Member National Energy Council, Indonesia & Ambassador of Indonesia to the Republic of Mexico
  • Mr Brian Ho Chi Kuen, Partner, Deloitte, Singapore
  • Mr Takashi Kuwabara, Partner, Deloitte, Japan
  • Mr Rikuto Yamada, Manager, Deloitte, Singapore moderated the session

Plenary Session 2: Digital Experience – Sustainable Growth through Creating New Digital Experiences

Mr Takuya Shiotani, Executive Director, Deloitte, Singapore and Mr Rasheed Deen Basheer Ahmad, Manager, Deloitte, Singapore delivered a presentation on the above theme. The session the proceeded to a panel discussion moderated by Mr Kenichiro Hashiguchi, Senior Manager, Deloitte, Singapore. The panel comprised:

  • Mr Raja Hamzah Abidin, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner, RHL Ventures, Malaysia and Executive Committee Member of MAJECA
  • Ms Gan-Low Mai Leong, Head, Economics & Investment, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Malaysia
  • Mr Kuniyoshi Mabuchi, Partner, Deloitte, Japan

The AJBM then adjourned for a lunch session where H.E. Masahiko Kiya (1st pic below), Ambassador of the Mission of Japan to ASEAN and Mr Eddie Ng (2nd pic below), Head, Digital & Data Strategy, PSA BDP, Singapore gave guest speeches respectively titled “ASEAN and Japan – Beyond the 50th Year of Friendship and Cooperation” and “Data & Digital Solutions for Supply Chain Resilience.

Plenary Session 3: Human Resources Value Chain – Human Resource Platform to Unleash Value Co-Creation in the Region

Mr Kazufumi Watanabe, Group Chief Transformation Officer, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer, Sompo Holdings Inc. delivered a presentation & moderated the panel discussion. The panel comprised:

  • Mr Jiraphant Asvatanakul, Vice Chairman, Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC)
  • Mr Ferdinand A. Ferrer, Chairman and CEO, EMS Group, Co-Chairman, Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee, Inc. (PHILJEC)
  • Mr Avishek Nandy, Partner, Bain & Company Inc., Singapore
  • Mr Hiroyuki Tsutsumi, SEVP, Corporate Executive Officer, Fujitsu Limited
  • Ms Asuka Hamakawa, CEO, Earth Company & Mana Earthly Paradise, Japan

The Wrap-up session saw Mr Fuchu Takaaki (1st pic below), AJBM Singapore Representative Partner, Deloitte on behalf Mr Tetsuya Watanabe, President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Mr Kalin Sarasin (2nd pic below), Honorary Chairman, Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand who delivered their inputs to wrap-up the deliberations of the day and announced that AJBM Thailand had accepted to host the 50th Golden Jubilee ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting in Thailand in 2024.

The AJBM then proceeded to its Closing Session.

Mr Naoaki Mashita, Vice Chairman, Keizai Doyukai and Chairman & Group CEO (Founder), V-Cube Inc. delivered his Closing Remarks.

Mr Cecil Leong, Chairman, 49th AJBM (AJBM Singapore), PSA Singapore delivered his Closing Remarks.

Further information on the 49th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting, including the videos of the presentations and related documents can be viewed on the Keizai Doyukai website on the following: https://www.doyukai.or.jp/en/policyproposals/2023/231103event&info.html

Malaysia-Japan Economic Dialogue co-hosted by FMM, JCCI and Nikkei on 25 October 2023 at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur

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The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) led by JCCI Chairman Mr. Ken Kobayashi brought a delegation of 50 Japanese businessmen to Malaysia on 25 October 2023. The purpose of the Mission is to facilitate bilateral economic relationships and promote the cooperation of small- and medium-size enterprises between Japan and Malaysia.

In conjunction with the JCCI Mission, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) co-hosted a Malaysia-Japan Economic Dialogue with JCCI and Nikkei on 25 October 2023 at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. MAJECA and its members were invited to attend this Dialogue. YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry graced the Dialogue and delivered a Keynote Address.

The Dialogue began with remarks from the leadership of FMM and JCCI.

Mr Ken Kobayashi, Chairman, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI)

Tan Sri Dato’ Soh Thian Lai, President, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM)

Session 1: Malaysia’s Advantage and Attractiveness of Investment

(from left-to-right) Mr Toru Takahashi, Nikkei moderated the discussion. The panel speakers comprised: Mr Kuniharu Nakamura, Chairman, Sumitomo Corporation & Vice President, JAMECA, Mr Shinichiro Shimizu, Executive Vice President, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. and Mr Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Senior Executive Director, Investment Policy Advocacy, MIDA.

Following the discussion, a guest presentation by Dr Yukihiro Maru, Founder & Group CEO, Leave A Nest was delivered before the Keynote Speech from YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (pic below).

The Dialogue then adjourned for a networking coffee break before resuming with the next Plenary Session.

Session 2: Accelerating Holistic Growth for a Competitive Industry

(from left-to-right) Mr Akito Tanaka, Nikkei moderated the discussion. The panel speakers comprised:   Mr Seiji Kuraishi, Chairman and Director, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mr Danny Ng, CEO, MTS Fibromat (M) Sdn Bhd and Mr Hiroya Kawasaki, Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster (KBIC). 

The Dialogue concluded with a guest presentation by Sankyu Inc. (pic below).

Digital Experience Showcase Workshop at Deloitte Malaysia organised by Deloitte SEA Working Group for Digital Experience on 5 October 2023 supported by Deloitte Malaysia and MAJECA

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Deloitte SEA Working Group for Digital Experience, with the support of Deloitte Malaysia, Keizai Doyukai and MAJECA organised a Digital Experience Showcase Workshop in Malaysia on 5 October 2023. This Showcase Workshop was organised as a part of the preparatory engagements in the lead up to the 49th ASEAN-Japan Business Meeting.

This Showcase Workshop was organised to share the findings and ideas of Deloitte SEA Working Group on the themes of: (i) customer growth / sustainability transformation (ii) regional revitalisation and (iii) the role of digitalisation & big data to deepen the understanding of the issues, challenges faced by stakeholders and industry players, and offer sustainable solutions while exploring collaboration opportunities.

Participants comprised government ministries & agencies and the private sector. The discussion moderated by Deloitte addressed and highlighted the observations, insights, challenges and pain points faced by the participants in their respective industries.

Forum on 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation on 16 August 2023 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel

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In conjunction with the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) organised a commemorative Forum on the theme of “Innovating for Progress: Reflecting on 50 Years of ASEAN-Japan Cooperation” with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia and the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) on 16 August 2023 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel.

The Forum aimed to enhance and strengthen the partnership of ASEAN and Japan by bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from both ASEAN, specifically Malaysia and Japan to exchange ideas and explore new avenues for cooperation.

Photo Gallery (from left-to-right)

Mr Takero Sawamura, President, Japan Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia (JACTIM), Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, President, KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI) and Hon. Secretary, MAJECA, H.E. Katsuhiko Takahashi, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA and Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA, Former Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Former Chairman, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia.

Special Dialogue: “ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation – Reflections on the Past 50 Years and the Next 50 Years”

Tan Sri Rastam Mohd Isa, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA, Former Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Former Chairman, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA and Special Dialogue Moderator, Ms Minako Sugawara, Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Malaysia Office and Mr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute for International Affairs (SIIA).

Panel 2: Japanese Business Philosophy on Driving Innovation

Ms Esther Lai, Assistant Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur, Ms Yuki Aizawa, APAC Director / Country Director, Malaysia, Women in Tech Global Movement and Panel 2 Moderator, Mr Takero Sawamura, President, JACTIM and Ms Ngai Yuen Low, Group Chief Merchandise & Marketing Officer, AEON Co Malaysia.

Panel 3: Understanding Japanese Values and its Influence on Business and Society – Lessons for Malaysia & ASEAN

Mr Norhisa Tsukamoto, Director, Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), Ms Cheong Lye Foon, President, AOTS Alumni Society of Malaysia, Ms Sharifah Asma Jamalulail, Japan Graduate and Panel 3 Moderator, Mr Gary Tang Kok Lian, President, Japan Graduates’ Association of Malaysia, Mr Isrami Ismail, President, Alumni Look East Policy Society (ALEPS).

12th Asian Business Summit on 5 July 2023 in Seoul, Korea

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The 12th Asian Business Summit (ABS) was hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on 5 July 2023 in Seoul, Korea with 13 business organisations from countries in Asia in attendance.

MAJECA, representing Malaysia at the Summit was represented Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA. Accompanying him was Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, Hon. Secretary, MAJECA.

A group photo of the leaders of the respective delegations at the Asian Business Summit Welcoming Dinner and Reception.

The 12th Asian Business Summit Joint Statement from Keidanren (https://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2023/050.html) is as quoted below:

“On July 5, 2023, the 12th Asia Business Summit took place in Seoul, Korea, with 13 business organizations participating.

The world economy, including the Asian economies, has been greatly affected by trade protectionism and rising inflation caused by prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the international order due to conflicts between major powers and the war between Russia and Ukraine, and fragmented global supply chain.

In order to resolve social challenges and achieve a sustainable development, it is essential to realize a free trade and open international economic cooperation and “Society 5.0 for SDGs”, which denotes a problem-solving society that utilizes innovative science and technology as well as the creativity and imagination of a diverse range of people.

In this situation, Asian economies have collaborated closely with one another and cooperated within international organizations based on the strong trust we have built up over the years. With this shared understanding, the participants attending the Summit exchanged candid opinions and agreed on the importance of the following points.

First, Asian economies, which had achieved very high economic growth as the world’s growth center, have been severely affected by restrictions on the movement of people and activities due to the spread of the COVID-19. In this post-pandemic transition, we will strive to further promote mutual understanding and strengthen trust through the people-to-people exchanges within Asia. Furthermore, we will stimulate intra-regional international labor mobility and simplify immigration processes between Asian nations, which will lead to regional prosperity.

Second, amidst growing energy demand in Asia, we will achieve economic growth as well as steadily energy transition towards a decarbonized society by promoting efficient use of energy through mobilizing digital technologies. We will cooperate in developing and implementing innovative technologies for hydrogen and ammonia towards decarbonization of thermal power generations and manufacturing process as well as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

Third, we will promote digital transformation (DX) to create new solutions that contribute to improving productivity and solving social challenges. We will strive to ensure data free flow with trust (DFFT) across the borders, and will promote the interoperability of data management system in accordance with the legal systems of each country and region.

Fourth, in order to achieve sustainable economic growth, it is vital to rebuild the free and open international economic order based on the rule of law. As part of this process, Asia will make more proactive efforts, and promote implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) at a higher level.

Fifth, to alleviate supply chain vulnerabilities across Asian nations, we will explore the establishment of a supply chain system for vital resources among Asian business community. The creation of such a system, facilitating cooperation between nations with limited resources and those with abundance, will contribute significantly to the collective growth of Asia. Moreover, we will explore possibilities for joint projects between Asian countries, for the development and adaptation of vital resources in resource-rich countries within Asia or beyond, and for food security and healthcare.

We reached a consensus that the Asia-wide business community will further strengthen coordination and cooperation among business communities in each country and region and call on governments to make concerted efforts in order to realize a more prosperous and vibrant Asia, an Asia that leads the global economy, and an Asia that contributes to the well-being of humankind.“

(from left-to-right)
Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, Hon. Secretary, MAJECA, Mr Masakazu Tokura, Chairman, Keidanren and Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA.

The Malaysian delegation was hosted to a private lunch by the Foreign Minister of South Korea, H.E. Dr Park Jin. (from right-to-left) Tan Sri Dr Michael Yeoh, Hon. Secretary, MAJECA, H.E. Dr Park Jin, Foreign Minister of South Korea and Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA.