2006 is fast coming to a close and we are looking forward to a busy 2007. The last quarter of 2006 was no less eventful. MASSA received visitors from Zambia, Malawi and Mongolia. These visits coincided with our Cross Border Investment (CBI) seminar series and thus provided opportunities for our MASSA members to network.

As a resource partner under the Malaysian Technical Corporation Programme (MTCP), MASSA had the opportunity to link up with participants from South-South countries who came for training under this programme. 4 such events were held in this quarter and MASSA was privileged to establish ties with the 36 countries that were represented by the participants.

MASSA and the French CCE organised yet another luncheon talk featuring the Thales Group. Mr Jean-Baptiste Ollivier, the Managing Director and Corporate Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei, gave an interesting insight into critical information systems for defence, aerospace and civil security applications. MASSA will continue to bring members updates on leading-edge technologies and invite corporate leaders to share their business insights.

The MATRADE and MASSA mission to Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania in November 2006 was a success. Participants were confident that some of the contacts will soon materialise into business deals.

For the coming year, we have a number of events planned including a business mission to Zambia and Mauritius. We hope to make one or two more stops in the African continent during this mission which is tentatively scheduled for March 2007.

In February 2007, UN-TICAD will be organising the 4th Africa-Asia Business Forum (AABF IV) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. MASSA will be coordinating the Malaysian participants. Please look out for details on these events and more in your weekly emails and/or faxes.

Overall, this year has been a productive one and we owe it to the active involvement of MASSA members and their participation.

We would also like to record our appreciation to our sponsors who have made the four publications of our newsletter for 2006 possible.

It is with great anticipation that we herald in another year and we in the Editorial Team wish all of you Season’s Greetings and a Happy & Profitable New Year.

Hamidah Tun Ghafar
Editor