It’s 2020 and we are 10 years away from achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. So it’s time to take the right steps to get closer to achieving the targets in each of our selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the afternoon of Wednesday, 22 January 2020, AMCHAM was delighted to host Ms. Neha Das, Senior Manager of Global Operations (Asia & Oceania) of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for a luncheon at the Equatorial Hotel Penang.

Ms. Neha shared the functions of the UNGC on both a global & local level as well as provided an update on the sustainability measuring tools they will be rolling out moving forward.

Kuala Lumpur, 13 January 2020 – Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad (“Gibraltar BSN”), one of Malaysia’s fast growing life insurance companies, was named Malaysia’s Digital Insurer of the Year by regional insurance publication InsuranceAsia News, during its annual InsuranceAsia News Awards for Excellence 2019.

According to InsuranceAsia News, Gibraltar BSN caught the judges’ attention by using a unique combination of digital applications, data analytics and social media. The life player harnessed these tools to help engage with its customers and potential customers, while designing ground-breaking products. 

One of the digital initiatives that impressed the judges was Gibraltar BSN’s first-in-market WhatsApp e-Policy delivery system introduced in August 2019, which enables the life insurer to instantly and securely deliver insurance policies to their customers the moment a policy is approved. 

Rangam Bir, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gibraltar BSN commented, “Over the past couple of years, Gibraltar BSN has been focused on executing our digital transformation strategy to elevate the quality and relevance of our service and products for our customers. InsuranceAsia’s recognition shows that we are on the right track as our achievements stand out tall amongst our peers across the region. We are certainly motivated to continue the introduction of digital initiatives that improve customers’ experience, accelerate business growth and expand distribution channels. This is only the beginning!”  

The InsuranceAsia News Awards for Excellence are designed to identify the best firms operating in Asia-Pacific. Winners are determined by an experienced industry judging panel made up of over 20 senior executives from across Asia-Pacific who examine criteria that include digital innovation, compelling market initiatives for distribution partners and customers, excellence in claims, promoting insurance to the community and investment in staff. 

Amongst other notable digital initiatives introduced by Gibraltar BSN include GINA (Gibraltar INtelligent Assistant), a Chatbot that is able to provide instant, efficient and superior customer service on WhatsApp 24-7, and Dengue Cover+, an affordable direct life insurance plan with additional coverage for Dengue and Zika related illnesses. The product was launched in partnership with Digi Malaysia on 22 March 2019 and can be purchased directly via mobile phones through Digi’s EasyAdd app and website.

2020 – what an exciting year for the country! In Malaysia’s vernacular 2020 has been a ‘marker’ year for many hopes and ambitions. Some we have met and some not yet. The important thing however is that we still aim high and strive to be the best and for a brighter future.

This year looks like it will be action packed and a bit of a whirlwind.  APEC meetings are underway with the first SOM (Senior Officials Meeting) happening in Putrajaya in February.  It is also Visit Malaysia year and for Americans, 2020 is an election year.  

AMCHAM expects to be really busy driving an exciting calendar of events and expanding our activity in Penang too. We kicked off the new year with not just a networking cocktail but a goal setting workshop (OKRs) and our new MP Chat Series with YB Wong Chan.  Working with the UN Global Compact, we will host a program in Penang that frames how we work towards meeting the 2030 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  

In February, some of you may have already signed up with AmCham Cambodia for their trade program “Business Opportunities in Agriculture” in both Vientiane and Phnom Penh. LeadWomen brings to the Chamber their 3-day training for female board prospects.  And in March, I hope you all have booked your place to attend the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Business Summit in Singapore on March 11 & 12.  

This first quarter is already a hive of activity. So please keep your eye out for the AMCHAM emails/notices and make time in your calendar for the programs that will resonate with you and join us!  

In the meantime, wishing you all all safe, happy and prosperous New Year, both for 2020 and the Year of the Metal Rat!

In the spirit of new beginnings, AMCHAM introduces its new MP Chat Series. This series of informal discussions was created to provide a platform for candid conversations between invited Members of Parliament and AMCHAM members from various business sectors.

 On 16 January 2020, members who attended the inaugural event were able to meet Yang Berhormat Tuan Wong Chen, MP for Subang and Chairman of the newly established Parliamentary Special Select Committee on International Relations and Trade.

 The engagement allowed the MP to familiarize members with his new Committee and his role and ambition for it to be an effective part of the legislative apparatus. Members also got to ask questions on topics on both the political and business landscape ranging from parliamentary reforms, industrial policies, upcoming transitions and the overall investment and trade landscape.  

Special thanks to YB Tuan Wong Chen for helping us kick off this new initiative and for “the future is bright” message we all walked away with after the two-hour Chatham Rules program. Please look  out for more of these to come as the year rolls out and join us as we get to know some of our Parliamentarians.

Not a sport you expect to see coming out of Malaysia but indeed, we have our own baseball team.  Not only did they win a Bronze at the SEA Games but next month they are headed to Hong Kong to compete in the Phoenix Cup 2020. Read more to connect, get involved or even sponsor the beginnings of this American sport in Malaysia.

WBM, founded in 2018, is a not-for-profit organisation under Baseball Federation of Malaysia (BFM). WBM’s mission is to strengthen BFM’s efforts in promoting baseball in Malaysia and most importantly provide a dedicated platform to advance the status, liberty, and well-being of Malaysian women and girls particularly in baseball and sports in general. WBM’s efforts are meant to allow women and new generations of girls to experience the many benefits of sports participation: increased confidence, improved health, greater employment opportunities, and enhanced academic success.

Women in baseball is nothing new as its history can be traced back to the mid 1800s in United States of America (USA). Currently, the strongest and most organized women’s baseball leagues are in the USA, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Cuba, Hong Kong, and Canada. WBM intends to emulate the success of those countries, and had its first meeting at BFM’s office 2018 to discuss the strategy and development plans for successful women and girl’s baseball programs in Malaysia.

BFM through WBM has recently forged cooperation with Philippine Amateur Baseball Association in January 2019 as one of the key steps in advancing the development of women’s baseball in Philippines and most importantly here in Malaysia. The timing is perfect as for the first time in history, women’s baseball will be featured in the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Philippines from 30th November to 11th December 2019.

WBM is confident that our women’s national team stands a high chance of securing a medal at SEA Games as only two countries, i.e. Philippines and Indonesia, are strong contenders for the gold medal, Realising this opportunity, WBM has crafted sponsorship packages that will help the growth of women and girls baseball in Malaysia and at the same time strengthening awareness and driving excitement towards the brand and/or product of contributing companies. We need all the support we can get. Please join our family and be part of history in the making.

2020 has arrived! AMCHAM celebrated the New Year by welcoming back our members and friends yesterday at the poolside of Villa Dainieli, a beautiful view across the pool and looking at the KL Tower view. We had a great turnout, not only members of AMCHAM but representatives from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and the U.S. Embassy of KL.

Good Food, Good Company, Good Conversation and Good Time! Lots to look forward to this year as Malaysia will be hosting APEC, and AMCHAM will be part of this auspicious event. 

A great start in 2020, we have some exciting new programs lined up this year. Be sure to be in the loop and not miss out. If you have subscribed to our newsletter, please do so by visiting us on www.amcham.com.my or email us at [email protected]