The first quarter of 2007 has already come to past. Visit Malaysia Year 2007 is fast gaining momentum and MASSA is pleased to support this initiative of our Government. We feature an article on Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) promoted by our Ministry of Tourism. This is a unique programme providing incentives for qualified visitors to live in our country on a long term basis.

MASSA, with the support of MIDA and JICA Zambia, organized a mission to Zambia in March 2007. A total of 17 members led by YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong visited Lusaka and Livingstone. The Government and business community warmly received the delegation. The hectic schedules of meetings with Government officials and business groups augur well for the enhancement of business linkages in yet another African nation.

MASSA’s next destination is Mongolia. Our President will be leading a business delegation to Mongolia from 26 to 29 June. We urge members to join us on this visit. The investment opportunities in mining, urban city development, amongst others, are among the focused areas.

Also featured in this newsletter, is an article on Market Development Grant (MDG) providing readers with the latest incentives under this government scheme. We encourage members to acquaint themselves with the criteria and to apply for this financial assistance facility as they undertake promotional activities to develop their respective export markets. The MDG coverage has been widened to include amongst others, costs of export market survey expenses and the setting-up of overseas offices to undertake promotion, outsourcing and subcontracting businesses. The maximum limit of RM100,000 grant per company was abolished last year.

In our next coming issues of the newsletter, we will be inviting members to do a corporate feature on their business. We want to provide this excellent avenue for members to promote themselves via our newsletter. Our newsletters can be found in our Malaysian Embassies and High Commissions abroad and all the Embassies and High Commissions of the developing countries are also recipients and through them, are relayed back to their respective business communities. Besides, we will also feature your organization on our website at www.massa.net.my. We encourage members to come forward and be featured.

We value member’s continuing active participation in our activities and also look forward to your suggestions to improve on our services.

Hamidah Tun Ghafar
Editor