ASEAN-BAC Malaysia held its concluding meeting for the year on 22 November, chaired by ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid.

The meeting was attended by Council Members Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon and Mr Raja Singham, ASEAN-BAC Healthcare Working Group (HWG) 2022 Chair Dr Khor Swee Kheng, ASEAN-BAC Green and Sustainable Economy Working Group (GSE WG) Chair and ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Consulting Director Ms Jukhee Hong, and the ASEAN-BAC Malaysia secretariat team.

The meeting discussed activities organised and attended by ASEAN-BAC Malaysia in 2022, updates from ASEAN-BAC HWG Chair Dr Khor, updates on the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) 2022 on 9 November, as well as proposals for activities and priorities in 2023.

ASEAN-BAC hosted the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2022 — its first physical event in two years — on 10 November in Phnom Penh, with over a thousand business leaders from across ASEAN participating.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid, who spoke on the opening panel, said that the substance of ASEAN centrality meant that ASEAN should take a stand on challenging issues instead of remaining neutral, especially on issues such as those in Myanmar.

Other speakers on the panel were the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce’s Secretary of State His Excellency Pick Rithi, the International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia’s Executive Director James Crabtree, and the US-ASEAN Business Council’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director Michael Michalak.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia congratulates the two Malaysian enterprises and entrepreneurs — Quantum Medical Solutions Sdn Bhd and BAC Education Group — which were honoured at the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) 2022.

This year’s ABA awards ceremony was held on 9 November to recognise ASEAN companies contributing to the region’s economic growth and prosperity.

ASEAN-BAC 2022 Chair Neak Okhna Kith Meng opened the ceremony with his welcoming remarks, calling for unity and resolve for ASEAN economic recovery and resilience amid “extraordinary” times.

The Cambodian Minister of Commerce and Chair of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) His Excellency Pan Sorasak, for his part, noted that the ASEAN economy grew by 3.4% in 2021 and is expected to reach 5% in 2022 and 6% in 2023.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia held a virtual consultation meeting with the Embassy of France in Malaysia on 3 November, chaired by Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid believes that Malaysia can do more for France as a gateway to ASEAN. For example, France could use Malaysia as a base to expand education and training in the region, especially in high technology.

ASEAN-BAC Council Member Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, for his part, said that he hoped to see bilateral trade and investment growing post-pandemic, especially in tourism which is an important sector for both countries.

Fellow Council Member Mr Raja Singham also urged Malaysian businesses to work with France in areas such as new technologies and biotechnology, as well as draw from Paris’s fashion industry.

Mr Raja Singham suggested that Malaysia could become the launchpad for France’s fashion industry into ASEAN and the gateway to launch ASEAN fashion to an international market.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia held a virtual consultation meeting with Japan on 3 November, with the participation of the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Takahashi Katsuhiko and five speakers. The session, which was chaired by ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid, discussed the opportunities and challenges that Japanese businesses are facing in Malaysia.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid suggested reviving and developing Malaysia’s “Look-East” approach which was used during the 1980s to include sustainability and the green economy.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Council Member Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon added that Malaysia-Japan relations will be further elevated with Malaysia’s recent ratification of the CPTPP, including through the US$838 billion government procurement market.

Fellow Council Member Mr Raja Singham, for his part, said that a combination of Japan’s expertise in artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things and Malaysia’s strength in manufacturing and supply chains is worth exploring.

Furthermore, Japanese assistance in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), technology and education sector will also help Malaysia meet Japan’s skilled labour needs.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia held a virtual consultation meeting with Australia on 1 November to discuss deepening Malaysia-Australia relations. The session was chaired by ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid.

Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Munir Majid noted Malaysia and Australia’s strong relations in education, tourism, migration, and defence, and suggested that the countries also explore working together in areas such as agriculture and food security.

ASEAN-BAC Malaysia Council Member Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, for his part, said that these strong bilateral ties will only be elevated with Malaysia’s recent ratification of the CPTPP.

Fellow Council Member Mr Raja Singham said that he looks forward to an elevated relationship between Australia and Malaysia, especially in education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and the digital economy.