On March 24, AmCham Singapore released the 2021 ASEAN Business Outlook Survey (ABOS). As part of the release, AMCHAM’s CEO, Siobhan Das was invited as a panelist to discuss the findings of the survey and to share some on the ground insights from Malaysia.
She was joined on the panel by Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director at AmCham Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City & Da Nang and Monica Chitnis, Research Director at Blackbox Research. The moderator for the session was Steven Chan, Senior Director and Regional Head of Government Relations, Asia-Pacific at PayPal.
After opening remarks from AmCham Singapore’s Executive Director and a presentation of the survey findings from Monica, the panel discussed topics such as the impact of COVID-19 on their respective countries, the vaccine rollout, ASEAN integration and business travel and mobility during the COVID pandemic.
To read more about the report, please click here.
“Welcoming Investors, Keeping You Safe”
Kuala Lumpur, 23 March 2021 – Malaysia is welcoming business travellers to Malaysia while keeping everyone safe by introducing a Business Travellers Centre (BTC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The BTC, launched today by the Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, functions to facilitate the entry of foreign business travellers into Malaysia. Located at Gate C36, Satellite Terminal, KLIA the BTC is now open for short term foreign business travellers planning to carry out their business tasks in the country.
The launching of the BTC today also marks a major milestone of the Government’s unwavering mission to revive the economy and to pave the way for economic rebound in 2021. According to Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year will be a promising year for the Malaysian economy as the Government is committed to easing business operations for both local and foreign businesses alike. “Malaysia has pro-business and pragmatic policies that support the investment climate in the country.
Our supportive business ecosystem is in fact a catalyst to attract investors not only to conduct new business activities, but to also expand and diversify their existing operations here. The BTC is reflective of our responsiveness to the current situation and in finding progressive solutions to ensure we can achieve a balance in protecting lives and livelihoods,” said the Senior Minister. 2 The BTC is one of the key components of the One Stop Centre (OSC) initiative by the Malaysian Government to ease the movement of Business Travellers – from entry to exit point. The Centre assumes a vital role in ensuring that Malaysia remains an attractive investment destination for foreign businesses.
It provides a seamless support system for short term Business Travellers by providing fast-track services such as below: i. after disembarkation from the plane to taking the RT-PCR swab test at the dedicated COVID-19 Lab within the BTC, which results can be produced within 3 hours; ii. after having declared healthy, the business travellers will proceed to the immigration green lane; and iii. the Government will appoint a liaison officer for the business travellers with a specific business itinerary. Short Term Business Travellers are business travellers who do not hold any dedicated entry passes and intend to stay in the country for 14 days or less, subject to the approval of the OSC committee and a strict set of Standard Operating Procedures.
To date, the OSC Committee has approved 93 applications for Short Term Business Travellers. The Short Term Business Travellers whose applications were approved are from investing companies with total investments valued at RM15 billion. Moving forward, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) – an agency under Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) – has identified RM82 billion worth of investments in potential leads and another RM65.9 billion in the pipeline. In realising these potential investments, services by the OSC such as the BTC are critical. The BTC is a collaborative effort between MITI, MIDA, Ministry of Health (MOH), Department of Immigration Malaysia, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB). 3 For more information, please contact the OSC Secretariat at [email protected].
KUALA LUMPUR, March 18, 2021 – Premier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition, is organizing its annual Herbalife Nutrition Month to encourage Malaysians to embrace a healthy, active lifestyle, through positive good nutrition habits and regular physical exercises. A pivotal recent activity was the gathering of 10,000 Malaysians across the country in a virtual workout session to burn 1.5 million calories together.
Joining Herbalife Nutrition Malaysia in this campaign is Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM), extending their collaboration from 2020, to boost nutrition education. Both parties will bring their mutual expertise to benefit the general public – such as development of educational content that focuses on topics including nutrition, health and wellness.
“As a premier nutrition company in the country, we strive to create a healthy community through raising awareness of the importance of nutrition and promoting a balanced healthy lifestyle and Herbalife Nutrition Month is designed to do just that. We are delighted to have NSM on board to impart proper nutrition knowledge in order to help Malaysians kickstart their health journey,” said Steven Chin, General Manager and Director, Herbalife Nutrition Malaysia.
“As an organisation that is tasked to help more people understand good nutrition, we are glad to be able to work closely with Herbalife Nutrition that shares the same ideals,” said Dr Roseline Yap, the Honorary Treasurer of Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM). “Together, we embark on this journey with Herbalife Nutrition to raise awareness and improve the lives of Malaysians through proper nutrition information,” added Dr Roseline, whose research interest is directed towards community nutrition with the emphasis on food consumption and dietary patterns.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, one in two adults in Malaysia were either overweight or obese while diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol are among the main non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With the aim of helping steer Malaysian’s habits toward a healthier lifestyle to tackle this issue, which is of a growing concern to the Malaysian government, Herbalife Nutrition Month becomes a driver to inspire the public to embrace living a healthy, active lifestyle, through good nutrition and exercise.
As one of the key activities of Herbalife Nutrition Month, a webinar titled ‘Diet vs Exercise: What Matters Most’ was jointly conducted by Herbalife Nutrition and NSM. Dr Roseline touched on topics such as different types of nutrients and how the body uses them, the Quarter Quarter Half (QQH) rule, as well as debunking the common nutrition myths. On the other hand, Susan Bowerman, the Senior Director of Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training at Herbalife Nutrition, shared her expertise in health promotion, weight management and sports nutrition. She also shared the benefits of exercise when coupled with a balanced-nutrition diet, and showcased preparing a quick and simple nutritious meal.
Earlier in the campaign, a webinar on ‘Importance of Healthy, Active Lifestyle in the Current Time’ was led by Samantha Clayton, Vice President, Sports Performance and Fitness at Herbalife Nutrition. She highlighted Fitness Trends in 2021, explaining how fitness regimes have pivoted to online workouts, outdoor exercise, restorative fitness programs and many more.
Malaysia: “Welcoming Investors, Keeping You Safe”
The Business Travellers Centre (BTC) at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport was officially launched by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Bin Ali, Senior Minister, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) this afternoon.
In his opening remarks, the Minister told representatives that “This initiative is driven by the catch phrase: “Welcoming Investors, Keeping You Safe” … not only ensures that the nation remains on the path of economic recovery but is also firmly aligned with Malaysia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The BTC will facilitate short term business travellers under the One Stop Centre initiative. Investors, specialty business travellers and technical talent who need to enter Malaysia for under 14 days will be able to take advantage of monitored access to the country without the need for quarantine. Thus far, the government has approved 93 Short Term Business Travellers.
If you have any questions, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) is ready to assist with these latest initiatives, the One Stop Centre for Business Travellers (OSC) and the Business Travellers Centre. For more information, please visit MIDA’s website – https://safetravel.mida.gov.my/
Siobhan Das, AMCHAM’s chief executive, who was present at the launch had this to say after touring the centre: “The Business Travellers Centre (BTC) is a new, forward looking chapter for Malaysia. With access to safe travel into and within the country, Malaysia is one step closer to normalizing business travel.
This facility will allow access to specialized technical talent that many of our member companies need to bring online equipment, enable training and the transfer of knowledge to the local workforce. In the face of increasing global demand, movement across supply chains and relocation of regional/global hubs, the BTC offers an entry solution for investors to assess the country’s capabilities and demonstrates the government’s commitment to drive recovery, safely.
AMCHAM has already had some positive experiences with the BTC in the run up to its launch and we look forward to American businesses taking advantage of these special arrangements. The contained on-site testing facility and resting areas will allow comfortable arrival for visitors. The monitored itinerary will reassure local authorities that the business travellers meet their business needs while minimizing the health exposure of both the traveller and the Malaysian public. In the spirit of #togetherwecan, the BTC allows businesses to be proactive but still stay protected while in Malaysia.
Congratulations to MIDA, the cooperating agencies and private sector participants: MoH, JIM, MyXpat, Malaysian Airlines, Pantai Hospital, Sama-Sama Hotel, etc. for the launch of the Business Travellers Centre.”
EY has released its latest tax alert issue (No. 6/2021).
Malaysian developments
- Income tax exemption on gains or profits derived, in lieu of interest, from Sukuk Prihatin
- Extension of time for submission of tax returns under the Labuan Business Activity Tax 1990 (LBATA) for the year of assessment 2021
- Frequently Asked Questions on tax deduction on costs for renovation and refurbishment of business premises
Overseas developments
- India’s reduced threshold for e-invoicing applies from 1 April 2021
- Indian Supreme Court rules on taxability of software payments
AMCHAM would like to thank Ramzi Toubassy, CEO, AmMetLife, for his four years of service as AMCHAM’s Chairman. Stepping into the role as Acting Chairman is Steve Clayton, Chief Executive Officer, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Bhd. Steve will serve until the upcoming Annual General Meeting, which is scheduled to be held in June when a new Chairman is duly elected.
Ramzi arrived in Malaysia in 2014 and joined the AMCHAM Board in 2016. The following year, he was elected as President and then made Chairman in January 2020. During his tenure, the Chamber has grown from strength to strength; not only navigating through a number of significant events in Malaysia’s political and economic landscape but supporting the reshaping of the organization.
On behalf of the governors and entire membership, AMCHAM CEO Siobhan Das would like to thank Ramzi for his contribution, consul, and collaboration that has allowed the Chamber to flourish and meet the needs of its members. “He has been an excellent Chairman and he has played a crucial role in the successful development of the Chamber. He will be missed and we wish him the best with all his new endeavors.”
AMCHAM Executive Office
Message from AMCHAM’s Chairman to members
As many of you are aware, I will be stepping down as the Chairman of AMCHAM at the end of March. It has been an honor for me to serve as the President and then Chairman of the Chamber for the past four years. I have greatly appreciated working with many talented CEOs and members from various industries.
Over the years, we have made tremendous strides in transforming AMCHAM into becoming a strong advocate of U.S. businesses in Malaysia. None of our success would have been possible without the collective efforts of all of you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for your continuous support and contribution.
In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Siobhan and her team for the remarkable work that they do in supporting member companies navigate the ever-changing business landscape. I leave with fond memories of working with all of you and trust you will extend the same level of support to my successor.
Thank you.
Ramzi Toubassy
A Special Tribute to AMCHAM’s Chairman
