ASEAN Business Outlook Survey Launch in Malaysia

32 members and guests gathered at the AMCHAM Executive Office for the Malaysia launch of the ASEAN Business Outlook Survey (ABOS) on 13 September 2017. After a presentation by Hazlyn Aidzil, of AmCham Singapore, and the lead analyst,  Siobhan Das, AMCHAM’s Executive Director, moderated a distinguished panel:  Y. Bhg. Datuk Seri J. Jayasiri, Secretary General, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) along with Belinda Ford, Public Affairs & Communication Director, Coca Cola and Nat Turner, Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The report felt that while optimism remains strong, there had also been a clear softening of sentiment toward business prospects in the region over the past few years. In the 2015 survey, for example, 72% of respondents said their level of trade and investment in the region had increased over the prior two years. In 2013, 91% of respondents said their  trade and investment would increase in the next five years.

Key topics discussed related to the role Malaysia plays in enhancing the ties between ASEAN and the US and Datuk Seri also shared his views on the short & long term goals for Malaysia, as well as the industries that will encounter growth in the near future and were important to the country’s development.