The Market Development Grant (MDG) is an export facilitation in the form of a reimbursable grant. MDG was introduced in 2002 with the objective to ease Malaysian exporters’ core expenses in promoting Malaysian made products or services globally. The maximum ceiling amount for Malaysian SMEs, Professional Service Providers, Trade and Industry Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Professional Bodies and Co-operatives is RM300,000 per life time. 

For this purpose, Virtual Event is a web platform in virtual venue to enable interaction with business people and entities through live interaction tools. The interactive features will be displayed on devices such as smart phone, tablet and laptop/desktop. Virtual events expenses claimable under MDG include such as exhibitions and business to business meetings (B2B).  Virtual Events expenses claimable under MDG are related to promotion of Malaysia products and services globally. 

The 2020 Presidential Election in the United States is moving ahead full throttle amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. On 18 June 2020, AMCHAM held a webinar on Bipartisan U.S. Election Preview and Foreign & Trade Policy Implications.

Leading voices of McLarty Associates – Nelson Cunningham, McLarty’s President and long-time Biden insider, Ambassador Rick Burt, McLarty’s Managing Partner and well-known Republican foreign affairs strategist brought insight on the current situation in the U.S. and how that could affect the upcoming election. Joining the other panellists was Ambassador Bob Blake, Senior Director for Southeast Asia of McLarty Associates who brought to the discussion what businesses should be taking into account in developing their strategies in Asia, considering the election dynamics and the shifting of supply chains away from China. The session was moderated none other than our very own Siobhan Das, CEO of AMCHAM.

All three speakers also brought to the table what the possible outcomes could be for the upcoming election and how it may affect Malaysia should these outcomes occur. 

The Licensing Officer of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has agreed to grant an extension of the project implementation period for companies, which have been accorded Manufacturing Licences under the Industrial Coordination Act, 1975. This is part of the pro-active measures undertaken by the Government in ensuring that the Malaysian economic sectors remain competitive despite the current COVID-19 pandemic. 

Under the normal procedure, licensed companies are required to implement their approved projects within a period, as stipulated in their Approval Letter of Manufacturing Licence. With the implementation of this relaxation mechanism, an approved manufacturing company will be automatically given an extension of 12 months to implement their projects. The 12-month extension period will commence from the end date of the implementation period stated in the approval letter. 

Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a member of the MMC Group, has welcomed 4 new ship to shore (STS) quay cranes as it continues its drive to optimise services and capacity. The purchase of the Super Post Panamax cranes forms part of PTP’s Asset Management Strategy, which aims to improve the efficiency in the terminal, by increasing container handling capacity, capability and reliability, whilst meeting its safety standards.

The cranes have a lifting capacity of 65 tons, are 55.5m high, weigh 1,900 tons and are capable of handling containers over 24-rows across ultra large container vessels (ULVC).

Now that Malaysia is open for business  the government is taking steps to support business and affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them to adapt and grow in the new normal.

These are the latest SOPs as of 10 June 2020. More updates and translations to come.