AMCHAM’s CEO Siobhan Das was invited to moderate the panel discussion at Invest Penang’s webinar “Penang Investment Webinar: Your Springboard to the World” earlier this morning. Penang is known as the ‘Silicon Island of the East,’ one of the most vital economic powerhouses in Malaysia and home to many Global Fortune 500 Companies. The presentations and discussions at today’s webinar showcased why Penang, and Malaysia altogether, should be—if it isn’t already—your preferred destination for business.
This session served as a means for businesses, consultants, and investors to learn more about Penang in particular and why to choose Penang as your destination for business and investment. The panel of speakers comprised of Dato’ Seri Lee Kah Choon, Special Investment Advisor to the Chief Minister of Penang and Director of Invest Penang; Nelson Samuel, Director, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), New York; Dave Mitchell, VP of Operation, Boston Scientific Malaysia; Mike Snell, Corporate VP, Manufacturing, Lam Research Corporation; and Shankar Nagalingam, VP & GM, Clarivate Malaysia.
Dato’ Seri Lee Kah Choon gave an overview of Penang providing world-class infrastructure, capabilities & services, excellent connectivity, and having 50 years of industrial experience and business intelligence. Nelson Samuel, on the other hand, presented MIDA’s role in promoting Malaysia as a whole. It’s comforting to know that despite challenging times, there are many new investments coming in coupled with new expansion plans by existing investors in Penang. Dave Mitchell and Mike Snell both shared their journey setting up their operations in Penang and why they choose Penang specifically.
The moderated discussion covered a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, the global supply chain and talent acquisition and management. It was truly an engaging session throughout and AMCHAM would like to thank Invest Penang for inviting us on the panel.
After a year of lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme in effect, companies should be taking the opportunity to rethink and strengthen their future office arrangement and strategy, with regards to employees returning to work post-pandemic.
On 15 April, AMCHAM hosted a Spotlight session by Knight Frank, on the subject of ‘Rethinking Your Office Space Strategy’. This session featured a panel of expert speakers to provide an in-depth update on the state of the current property and workspace market. They also presented the audience with strategies and models on what workplace models and approaches can be taken moving forward, followed by examples of how they have helped their clients figure out their space.
Speakers for this session were Young Khean Teh, Executive Director Corporate Services, Naythan Chong, Associate Director Corporate Services of Knight Frank Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Adeline Liew, Director Occupier Services, and Samarth Kasturia, Director Workplace and Strategic Consulting of Knight Frank APAC.
Overall a very successful Spotlight session with over 130 attendees. Special thanks to the speakers from Knight Frank for an insightful session on the office market and the future of workspace. For more information on Spotlight sessions please visit out website: https://amcham.com.my/events/spotlight-session/
AMCHAM along with more than 70 other industry associations, Chambers and government agencies engaged with the Prime Minister on issues industries are facing today.
In addition to raising the issue of Malaysia’s competitiveness, the AMCHAM CEO raised the need for greater access to much needed talent, reducing bureaucratic barriers to hiring workers that drive the productivity of the country, from expatriate to foreign workers.
Ratification of CPTPP and RCEP was also raised by the group along with issues on medicine price controls, the prospect of an investment council and the need for more robust financial models to support emerging industries including aviation.
MITI also outlined the recently announced National Investment Aspirations redefining Malaysia’s value proposition.
On 14 April, AMCHAM resumed its MP Chat series, sponsored by VMware, with invited guest YB Dr. Ong Kian Ming, Member of Parliament for Bangi as well as a member of the Special Select Committee on Economy and Finance. This was also a hybrid session with a few members attending in person to meet with YB. Dr. Ong, with the remaining audience tuning in online.
For this session, he spoke about the importance of maintaining and brining in new FDI into Malaysia, the state of Malaysia on the COVID-19 pandemic, the current political climate as well as what’s likely to happen in the coming months. He also provided practical suggestions as to what approach companies can take amidst the uncertain political landscape in Malaysia, to make sure their businesses will remain competitive in these challenging times.
Attending members were able to raise concerns and questions in this session. Special thanks to YB Dr. Ong Kian Ming for making this MP Chat a success. Be on the lookout for more entries in this member exclusive series.
Congratulations on the Strategic Trade Act (STA) 2010 10th Anniversary Celebration!
AMCHAM was delighted to be invited to be on the Public Private Partnership panel this morning alongside with Mr. Nantha Kumar Govindasamy, Director, International Trade Policy (Asia Pacific), Intel Microelectronics (M) Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Zameer Zahur Hussain, Head of Sales & Operations, Olefin, Glycol and Derivatives Department, PETRONAS Chemical Marketing Labuan Ltd, PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad, moderated by George Tan Swee Cheng, Founder CAPTCIS, Singapore and facilitated by Mr. Lewis Pyrtle, Regional Advisor, Export Control and Related Border Security, U.S. Department of State.
The key takeaway from the discussion was the importance and need for continuous engagement between the public and private sectors. Policymaking and implementation are lagging behind the rapid pace at which businesses are evolving. This further underscores the need for government and industry to stay engaged so that the policies reflect industry needs. Proactive engagement using a collective voice is one of the ways that AMCHAM can help to bridge this gap and facilitate dialogue.
AMCHAM would like to thank MITI for organizing this program and congratulations once again.
Hilton has an amazing selection of mouth-watering delights for this Ramadan season. Be sure to visit www.eatdrinkhilton.com to see what’s available.
