Cathay Pacific is delighted to announce that starting from the winter 2025 schedule, they will be increasing their flight frequency between Hong Kong and Chengdu.

From 26 October 2025 onwards, you can enjoy same-day connections to Chengdu from Kuala Lumpur and Penang – no more overnight layovers or long waits.

Simply hop on the afternoon flight from Kuala Lumpur or Penang, connect seamlessly in Hong Kong, and arrive in Chengdu that very evening, ready to explore everything this dynamic destination has to offer.

Travel dates are now open for booking from 26 October 2025 to 28 March 2026.

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 14, 2025 — Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, today recently launched two AI-powered tools — Customs AI and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code Lookup Feature across Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. These solutions are designed to simplify the often-complex process of completing global shipping documents needed for international shipments, empowering businesses and individuals to ship with greater ease, accuracy, and confidence.

Inaccurate shipping documentation continues to be a major challenge in global trade. To address this challenge, FedEx has integrated new tools into its FedEx Ship Manager™ platform at fedex.com, offering customers an intuitive solution to more seamlessly navigate shipment requirements.

“At FedEx, we are driven by our commitment to delivering flexibility, efficiency, and intelligence for our customers,” said Salil Chari, senior vice president of marketing & customer experience for APAC at FedEx. “By leveraging advanced digital insights and intuitive tools, we’re empowering businesses with the agility to adapt, the efficiency to streamline operations, and the intelligence to make better decisions. These innovations not only simplify global trade but also enable our customers to grow their businesses with confidence in an ever-evolving marketplace.”

Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code Lookup feature: An Industry-Leading Innovation for U.S.-Bound Shipments

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Code Lookup Feature assists customers in their selection of correct HTS code for U.S. import clearance. Customers can input an item description, and the system will automatically suggest the most appropriate HTS code options, along with a confidence score, from which the customer can choose.

Customs AI: A Generative AI-Powered Chatbot for More Streamlined Shipment Documentation

Currently available in Australia, Guam, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the Philippines, Customs AI leverages advanced generative AI technology to help simplify the shipment documentation process. By analyzing customer inputs in real time, the chatbot intelligently prompts the customer to provide a specific item description and assists customers in selecting the corresponding HTS codes, which can be applied directly to shipment documentation with a single click.

Each suggested HTS code also includes a direct link to the official U.S. HTS tariff schedule, educating customers on the selection and ensuring full transparency and verification. The system is updated to maintain regulatory compliance in an evolving trade landscape, helping customers remain compliant with the latest customs requirements while saving valuable time and effort.

Together, these tools deliver a unified solution that simplifies global trade by addressing key challenges in clearance. Customers may benefit from:

1. Efficient Customs Clearance: The AI-powered chatbot dynamically tailors questions based on the item being shipped, guiding customers through a simplified documentation process that helps them provide complete and accurate data to brokers. This can help speed up clearance and drive compliance for U.S.-bound packages.
2. More Accurate Duty & Tax Estimation: Proper HTS code classification enables more precise calculation of import duties and taxes, helping customers better forecast and manage international shipping expenses.
3. Reduced Delays: Specific item descriptions and HTS code classifications from the outset significantly reduce the likelihood of shipments being held during customs clearance, supporting on-time delivery.
4. Potential Cost Savings: By avoiding errors in documentation, customers can mitigate the risk of additional handling fees, penalties, or delays caused by non-compliance.

Supporting Businesses to Navigate Trade Regulations

To further support businesses in navigating evolving trade regulations, FedEx offers a range of customer-centric initiatives, including webinars designed to provide practical knowledge and insights on customs compliance and global shipping best practices.

These webinars, combined with the robust FedEx suite of digital Import solutions such as the FedEx Import Tool and Collaborative Shipping Tool, empower businesses to adapt confidently to dynamic trade environments.

On Thursday, August 7th, AMCHAM brought together members for an evening of updates and connections at The Silver Monkey, Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur On The Park. AMCHAM CEO, Dato’ Siobhan Das, provided a comprehensive update on recent Chamber activities, including engagements with Ministers and government agencies to address tariffs and other pressing discussions.

Dato’ Siobhan also shared insights from the Chambers’ recent trip to Washington D.C. for the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Annual Doorknock 2025, where key discussions were held with U.S. policymakers.

We were also joined by Dave Williams, Economic Counsellor at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, who shared updates on the Embassy’s current initiatives and introduced new members of their team.

Our Members’ Briefings are more than just updates, they’re a chance to hear firsthand what’s shaping the business environment in Malaysia, how the Chamber is advocating on key issues, and where we’re headed next.

Thank you to all our members who attended and we look forward to gathering once again soon!

Cathay Pacific has officially resumed non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Brussels, reconnecting their home hub with the Belgian capital, an important centre of European politics, culture, and commerce.

This return strengthens their growing footprint in Europe following the recent launches of their Rome and Munich services in June and July. Malaysian travellers and corporate clients have even more seamless access to Europe via Hong Kong.

Together with HK Express under the Cathay Group, they now serve 100 passenger destinations globally. In 2025, their combined network is expanding to 18 new destinations, including Rome, Munich, Cheongju, Daegu, and coming soon, Miyako (Shimojishima).

Their Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Lavinia Lau, said:

“We are very pleased to be back in Brussels, directly connecting our home hub with one of Europe’s major political centres. This service offers excellent flight timings in both directions, enabling customers to make the most of their day whether arriving in Brussels or Hong Kong.”

Now flying four times weekly, the Brussels service is operated by the Airbus A350-900, featuring fully flat beds in Business, extra comfort in Premium Economy, and award-winning Economy seating. All passengers can enjoy high-speed inflight Wi-Fi and world-class entertainment, with complimentary Wi-Fi for Business Class and Cathay Diamond members.

This summer, Cathay Pacific is operating nearly 100 return flights per week to 12 cities across Europe, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, and Madrid, ensuring more choice and connectivity for your customers.

As global demand surges for talent in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, Malaysia stands at a strategic crossroads — with the opportunity to shape the future through meaningful investments in education and industry collaboration.

In a move that underscores its commitment to national development and community empowerment, Keysight Technologies, a global S&P 500 technology company, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), marking a significant milestone in nurturing industry-ready talent.

(From left) Director of USM Industry Network, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Wan Maryam binti Wan Ahmad Kamil, Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight General Electronics Measurement Solutions, Lim Han Sing and Keysight President Emeritus Ee Huei Sin sealed the MOA to nurture industry-ready talent.

At Keysight, we empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. Through our market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions, we support engineers in accelerating product development across communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics sectors. With a strong presence in Malaysia and across the globe, we are proud to be a long-term innovation partner helping to shape the future of technology and education.

This strategic collaboration with USM is more than an academic initiative — it’s a nation-building effort that aligns with the country’s ambition to become a regional semiconductor hub. By equipping students with practical, hands-on training using real-world tools and methodologies, Keysight is investing in the next generation of engineers and innovators who will help shape the future of technology.

“This semiconductor workforce development partnership exemplifies Keysight’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers,” said Lim Han Sing, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight General Electronics Measurement. “We are bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice — and in doing so, building a scalable model for academic-industry collaboration that can uplift the entire region.”

As the lead institution of Malaysia’s Consortium E&E (CEE), USM plays a pivotal role in strengthening national semiconductor talent. Through this collaboration, Keysight is delivering its Semiconductor Basic Design and Measurement Lab – a comprehensive, application-driven platform that equips students with practical skills in design, measurement, and semiconductor technologies.

Through direct exposure to industry-grade instruments and workflows, students gain hands-on experience that aligns with real-world engineering environments. This helps accelerate their transition into the workforce, raising the quality and job-readiness of local graduates.

By bringing advanced instrumentation and technology into university settings, Keysight not only supports education but also builds long-term familiarity with its solutions among future engineers and academic institutions.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, emphasized the national importance of these efforts – “Malaysia targets 60,000 engineers under the National Semiconductor Strategy. Achieving this requires close collaboration between industry and academia. Partnering with leaders like Keysight ensures that we are preparing the next generation of engineers to drive our E&E ecosystem forward.”

Keysight’s long-standing presence in Malaysia, coupled with its ongoing collaboration with local institutions, reflects a deep commitment to community development and national progress through technology and education. As Malaysia strengthens its position on the global technology stage, strategic academic partnerships such as this exemplify Keysight’s role — not only as a leader in innovation, but also as a catalyst for shaping the future of engineering talent.

Skrine has released 3 articles from 31 July to 6 August, 2025. Click on the links below to read the article(s).

1. Minimum Wages for Apprentices Ending the Era of Unpaid and Underpaid Skill-Building
2. Minimum wage throughout Malaysia aligned from 1 August 2025
3. USP Fund Contribution Waived for Cloud Service Providers and Social Media Platforms from United States