AMCHAM regularly invites civil servants from relevant government departments to address our members and provide updates on the latest initiatives that they are working on.

On December 13, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Post-Investment team from MIDA, led by Mr. S. Siva, Executive Director. Mr. Siva’s team provide a wide range of support and facilitation services for companies that are already invested here in Malaysia.

AMCHAM members are welcome to contact MIDA’s Post-Investment Division for assistance in navigating the incentives approval process, as well as a range of other support services such as identifying Malaysian talent pools and registering requests for infrastructure support.

Any questions relating to our government engagements can be addressed to [email protected]

AMCHAM Investment & Taxation committee organized a briefing session in Kuala Lumpur and Penang focusing on the contents of the Finance Bill 2019, which was tabled in Parliament on 19 November. Experts within the committee shared their views and thoughts on the Finance Bill 2019 to help guide our members through the contents of the Bill and its implications for their business.

A big thanks to National Instruments for hosting the session in Penang and to Ng Lan Kheng, Executive Director of Deloitte Tax Services and Jason Tan, Associate of Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill while the KL session was conducted by Wai Choong Chan, Executive Director – Indirect Tax of PwC and Krystal Ng, Tax Partner of Wong & Partners.

Both sessions were well attended and we would like to thank the Investment & Taxation committee members for their dedication and contribution towards to committee.

AMCHAM was delighted to join the 3rd “Industry 4.0 week” at the Penang Skills Development Centre on November 13, which seeks to encourage and assist local SMEs in embarking on their Industry 4.0 journey by sharing case studies of successful transitions and exploring how companies can overcome some of the common challenges faced when considering embracing 4.0 technologies.

AMCHAM’s MAEI Chairman Dato’ Seri Wong Siew Hai presented the latest updates on the progress of the Electrical & Electronics Productivity Nexus (EEPN), a joint public-private taskforce that he co-chairs alongside the Malaysia Productivity Commission. AMCHAM member JABIL presented on their successful integration of digitally connected temperature and moisture sensors into their operations, while AMCHAM member Cleantech Solar launched their solar rooftop project at PSDC in an opening ceremony with Y.A.B. Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang.

On 12 December, AMCHAM was delighted to have Nehal Shah, CSR Program Manager of ON Semiconductor and Taufiq Razak, Leader – GE Volunteers Malaysia of General Electric International, Inc. (GE) to share their areas of expertise
in Corporate Volunteering.

Nehal Shah was tasked to expand the employee volunteer program to Asia during a short-term expatriate assignment to the region for the last four months. We were grateful to have Nehal to share her journey in Asia learning about the implementation of corporate volunteering in Asia. During her four months, she had the opportunity to visit 10 countries to help her understand further on corporate volunteerism.

Taufiq Razak, a financial analyst by profession, is passionate about giving back to society. During his presentation, Taufiq enlightened the audience with the work that is being carried out by the GE Volunteers Malaysia, how they partner with various associations and NGOs in order to obtain a wider reach within the Malaysian community.

AMCHAM would like to thank Nehal and Taufik for their inspiring presentations. The audience was able to take away some key insights from both the presenters and most importantly, were given a deeper understanding of the importance of corporate volunteering and insights around what can make a difference between a good and ‘could be better’ program.

Minister of Finance Y.B. Tuan Lim Guan Eng joined a closed-door luncheon with members of the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) on Thursday to convey his Ministry’s rationale behind decisions taken in the Budget 2019. Titled “Sustainable Growth in New Malaysia”, the Minister’s keynote address emphasized that maintaining Malaysia’s competitiveness for foreign investors will be a key enabler in achieving the Budget’s goals of reinvigorating the economy and laying the secure foundations necessary for sustainable long-term economic growth.

Addressing senior executives from the American business community, the Minister explained how the new Pakatan Harapan seeks to attract foreign investors by reforming Malaysia’s institutional framework, providing “not only certainty, clarity and consistency, but also continuity and confidence”. Reforms announced during the Budget speech, such as the intention to introduce a Fiscal Responsibility Act and a new Government Procurement Act, the adoption of open competitive tenders, and positioning Malaysia as an entrepreneurial economy which is private-sector driven, will provide the necessary assurances to attract high-quality long-term investments.

Responding to questions from AMCHAM members, the Minister elaborated upon the changing ways in which Malaysia is perceived overseas: “We have transitioned from a kleptocracy to a ‘boring’ democracy… but boring is good when it comes to investors, who now know that Malaysia will act in compliance with the highest standards of public governance” Siobhan Das, Executive Director of AMCHAM commented after the event: “American companies have been an integral part of Malaysia’s impressive economic trajectory thus far, and we are encouraged by Y.B. Tuan Lim Guan Eng’s willingness to meet with our members within a week of the Budget announcement to provide greater visibility of how new announcements will be implemented. Corporate headquarters of multinational companies have been looking at this Budget for early ‘signals’ from the new Pakatan Harapan government about the direction in which they will lead the country. Part of our role at AMCHAM is to help our CEOs and Finance Directors based here to convey messages back to the U.S. and explain the context around decisions made by the Malaysian government.”

AMCHAM has moved offices to Faber Imperial Court. Sounds familiar but exactly where are we? You will find us located on Heritage Row, adjacent to the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, nestled in the city center and just steps away from the Medan Tuanku Monorail and Dang Wangi LRT Station.

With the support of our members, we were able to expand from a 2200+sqft office space to just over 4000sqft. The additional space will allow us to better serve our members, have more control of event space and costs, as well as design some more interesting programs. .

Our official launch is expected to take place in January 2019 and we will keep members informed once we have a date confirmed.

It’s Your Chamber: if you’re in the area, drop by and we’ll be more than happy to take you for a tour. you may even like the space enough to use it for a meeting or program of your own.