Diary of Events (August 2023 Issue)
Mr Titus Mumba, Counsellor – Economic and Mr Sakalima Yoyo, First Secretary Economic of the High Commission of the Republic of Zambia met with Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive of MASSA on 3 May 2023 at MASSA’s Office.
The meeting reconnected MASSA with the High Commission of Zambia, and shared on MASSA’s events and activities, and areas where MASSA and the High Commission could collaborate to revitalize the bilateral trade, business and investment insights and opportunities between our two countries.
From left-to-right:
Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Mr Titus Mumba, Counsellor – Economic, High Commission of the Republic of Zambia, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA and Mr Sakalima Yoyo, First Secretary Economic, High Commission of the Republic of Zambia.
H.E. Imran Ahmad, M.P., Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the Seminar as the Chief Guest and Mr Mohammad Khorshed A Khastagir, Acting High Commissioner of the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur was preset as a Guest of Honour. MASSA was represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary.
The Seminar was organised with the aim to present to members of the Malaysian business community the Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh, and to announce the 6th Showcase Malaysia 2023 organised by BMCCI at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 31 August – 2 September 2023.
More than 80 participants comprising Bangladeshi and Malaysian business community and government representatives were in attendance at the seminar.
The discussions highlighted the dynamic and vibrant Bangladeshi economy, and the nation’s move from Digital towards Smart Bangladesh, highlighting the increasing adoption of digital technologies along with a growing digital-ready workforce.
Bangladesh recorded a GDP growth rate of 6.5 – 7 % per annum over the past 10 years, and has the 8th largest population on the planet with over 165 million people, 68.4% who are working age, with a middle class surging from 19 million in 2020 to 34 million projected in 2025.
The programme for the Seminar was as follows:
| Time | Item |
| 9.30 am | Registration & Networking Refreshment |
| 10.15 am | Participants and Guests take their seats |
| 10.30 am | Welcome Remarks by Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) |
| 10.35 am | Welcome Address by Mr Norsyahrin Hamidon, President, Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (DPMM) |
| 10.40 am | Keynote Paper on “Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh” presented by Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI)
Panelists: 1. Mr Idzham Abdul Hamid, Director, Central, West, South Asia & Africa Section, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) 2. Mr Md Akther Parvez Chowdhury, Honorary Consul of Malaysia High Commission to Bangladesh (Chittagong) & Managing Director of PHP Automobile Limited 3. Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) Moderator: Mr Syed Moinuddin Ahmed, Treasurer, BMCCI |
| 11.15 am | Presentation on the 6th Showcase Malaysia 2023 by Mr Syed A Habib, Chairman, Organising Committee for 6th Showcase Malaysia 2023 & Director, BMCCI |
| 12.00 am | Address by Guest of Honour: Mr Mohammad Khorshed A Khastagir, Acting High Commissioner, Bangladesh High Commission Kuala Lumpur
Address by Chief Guest: H.E. Imran Ahmad, M.P., Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh |
| 12.30 pm | Networking Lunch |
(from left-to-right)
Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI, H.E. Imran Ahmad, M.P., Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Mr Pranab Kumar Ghosh, First Secretary (Commercial), High Commission of Bangladesh to Malaysia.
(from left-to-right)
H.E. Imran Ahmad, M.P., Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Pranab Kumar Ghosh, First Secretary (Commercial), High Commission of Bangladesh to Malaysia, Mr Syed Almas Kabir (back-turned), President, BMCCI, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and Mr Md Akther Parvez Chowdhury, Honorary Consul of Malaysia High Commission to Bangladesh (Chittagong) & Managing Director of PHP Automobile Limited.
A group photo of the role-players.
(from left-to-right) Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Mr Idzham Abdul Hamid, Director, Central, West, South Asia & Africa Section, MATRADE, Mr Md Akther Parvez Chowdhury, Honorary Consul of Malaysia High Commission to Bangladesh (Chittagong) & Managing Director of PHP Automobile Limited, Mr Mohammad Khorshed A Khastagir, Acting High Commissioner, Bangladesh High Commission Kuala Lumpur, H.E. Imran Ahmad, M.P., Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI, Mr Norsyahrin Hamidon, President, DPMM, Mr Syed Moinuddin Ahmed, Treasurer, BMCCI and Mr Syed A Habib, Chairman, Organising Committee for 6th Showcase Malaysia 2023 & Director, BMCCI.
Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI delivered the Welcome Remarks.
Mr Norsyahrin Hamidon, President, DPMM delivered the Welcome Address.
Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI presented a Keynote Paper titled “Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh”.
Presentation of Token of Appreciation by Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI
Mr Mohammad Khorshed A Khastagir (left), Acting High Commissioner, Bangladesh High Commission Kuala Lumpur
Ms Ng Su Fun (right), Executive Secretary, MASSA
(from left-to-right)
Mr Syed Moinuddin Ahmed, Treasurer, BMCCI, H.E. Imran Ahmad, M.P., Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI and Mr Syed A Habib, Chairman, Organising Committee for 6th Showcase Malaysia 2023 & Director, BMCCI
A group photo of the role players.
The Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) delegation led by its President, Mr Syed Almas Kabir paid a Courtesy Call on MASSA at its office on 2 June 2023.
The meeting discussed the BMCCI Business Delegation to Malaysia’s engagements with the Malaysian Government and its agencies and the local business community, and the organisation of the 6th Showcase Malaysia 2023 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 31 August – 2 September 2023 wherein BMCCI sought MASSA’s support as a supporting organiser.
(from left-to-right)
Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Mr Hasanur Rahman Chowdhury, Executive Secretary, BMCCI, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI, Mr Mahbub Alam Shah, Director and Mr Moon Mondal Rajib, Member, BMCCI
4) Online Discussion on “Enhancing Bangladesh-Malaysia Business Relations” on 14 June 2023 and 17 July 2023 jointly hosted by Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM), and Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA)
A series of Online Discussions with theme of “Enhancing Bangladesh-Malaysia Business Relations” were jointly hosted by Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM), and Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 and 17 July 2023.
The objective of the discussions were to highlight to participants the latest opportunities in Bangladesh for Malaysian businesses, and to raise awareness about Showcase Malaysia, and to build stronger linkages between the Malaysian and Bangladeshi stakeholders.
BMCCI President, Syed Almas Kabir presided over the meeting, and Ms. Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary of MASSA moderated the program. Designated participants from different esteemed Malaysian organizations including Malaysian High Commission in Bangladesh, MATRADE, The Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia (TEEAM), the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (PRESMA), the Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), the International Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (IWEM), Motorcycle & Scooter Assemblers and Distributors Association Of Malaysia (MASAAM), the National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and companies from various industry sectors were present at the meeting.
BMCCI President Syed Almas Kabir welcomed the participants and gave a presentation on “Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh”. He shared the success story of Bangladesh after its emergence and the viable investment environment of Bangladesh. After the presentation, Secretary General of BMCCI, Mr. Md. Motaher Hoshan Khan presented details on “6th Showcase Malaysia 2023”. He cordially invited all the leaders to join the Showcase and informed them how this exhibition can facilitate Malaysians to expand their business linkages in Bangladesh and with Bangladeshi partners. Treasurer of BMCCI and Member of the Showcase Organizing Committee Syed Moinuddin Ahmed was also present at the discussion.
Malaysian High Commissioner in Bangladesh, H.E. Haznah Md. Hashim was invited to address the meeting. Her Excellency remarked on the success of Malaysian investments in Bangladesh to date. H.E. Haznah Md. Hashim urged all to join the “6th Showcase Malaysia 2023” and called for the participation of the Malaysian business community to explore the burgeoning Bangladesh economy. Her Excellency also encouraged the deepening of the relationship between the two brotherly nations.
The meeting then proceeded to an open discussion and Q&A session. Syed Almas Kabir and Md. Motaher Hoshan Khan took the floor to respond to the inquiries and comments from the Malaysian participants on the subject matter. The Malaysian participants expressed their interest to join the exhibition and during the discussion, they learned more about the market potential of their respective products and/or services in Bangladesh. The participants were also given information on the various opportunities and incentives offered by the Government for investment in Bangladesh.
The 6th edition of Showcase Malaysia will be held from August 31 to September 2, 2023, at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and will showcase Malaysian products and services across various sectors.
Presentation on the Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh delivered by Mr Syed Almas Kabir, President, BMCCI.
Presentation on the 6th Showcase Malaysia by Mr Md Motaher Hoshan Khan, Secretary General BMCCI.
Group photo of the participants of this meeting:
From left-to-right:
Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Mr Devrin Jeck, Undersecretary, ICADD, Department of Multilateral Affairs, Wisma Putra, Mr Mogen Selvaraja, Assistant Secretary, Department of Multilateral Affairs, Wisma Putra and Ms Nur Syuhaida, Secretariat, MASSA.
Tan Sri Azman Hashim (pic below), President of MASSA convened the Thirty-Second (32nd) Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MASSA at the Boardroom, 26th Floor, Bangunan Ambank Group, Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur on 28 June 2023.
The International Cooperation and Development Division (ICADD) under the Department of Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) invited MASSA to an online discussion between ICADD and the Embassy of Malaysia in Timor Leste on the business opportunities in Timor Leste.
The discussants present included H.E. Amarjit Sarjit Singh, Ambassador of Malaysia to Timor Leste and Mr Devrin Jeck, Undersecretary, ICADD, Department of Multilateral Affairs, Wisma Putra.
MASSA was represented by Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary who was joined by the MASSA Secretariat comprising Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive and Ms Nur Syuhaida.
The discussion highlighted that the country is now under the leadership of Mr Xanana Gusmão as the new Prime Minister following recent elections. The meeting highlighted some areas of opportunity, which included tourism, agrobusiness and infrastructure. There is a big need for skills and talent development.
Towards this end, ICADD will be working closely with our Malaysian Embassy in Timor Leste to highlight the areas that can assist Timor Leste under the MTCP.
From left-to-right, clockwise:
Mr Devrin Jeck, Undersecretary, ICADD, Department of Multilateral Affairs, Wisma Putra, H.E. Amarjit Sarjit Singh, Ambassador of Malaysia to Timor Leste, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary, MASSA, MASSA Secretariat, Mr Dili, Embassy of Malaysia in Timor Leste.