Welcome to our inaugural edition of the Massa newsletter in electronic form. The Editorial Committee, after much consultation and deliberation with the Executive Committee, decided that the newsletter takes on the electronic form, as a means to reach our readers (members and non-members) in a better and more effective way.

We are also pleased to inform members that MASSA has revamped its website, www.massa.net.my   We encourage members and readers to bookmark it, as we endeavour to connect you to interesting and emerging South-South locations for business opportunities.  We welcome your feedbacks and comments to improve our delivery of South-South news.

In this edition, we are pleased to introduce Tatarstan, an emerging Russian autonomous state, with a population of   3.8 million. It has rich resources and burgeoning opportunities in every sector of its economy.  Strategically located, it is a hidden gem waiting to be explored and for this purpose a seminar is being planned. Look out for MASSA’s circular and news of this forthcoming event.  Another country, Lesotho is also in this edition’s highlight.  Located in the heart of South Africa, this unique and strategically located country boasts of competitive resources that has made it one of the largest exporter of garments in the African Continent. Central Vietnam is also another emerging location for business opportunities and as such please keep your radar on this location for more news from us in the near future.

Meanwhile I am pleased to inform that officials from The Western Cape Destination Marketing, Investment and Trade Promotion Agency (WESGRO), South Africa has visited MASSA Secretariat to renew the ties between our two organisations and to re-establish our linkages to help each other to facilitate enquiries for business opportunities.

In May 2013, MASSA together with The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) and  led by our EXCO Member, YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong, will visit Dhaka, Bangladesh to meet with the business fraternity there and to attend the 3^rd Showcase Malaysia that will be held from 23 to 25 May 2013.  MASSA will provide you with an account of the business mission and showcase event in due course.

To sign off, I do hope you will find our debut e-newsletter to be both informative and useful.

Fatimah Sulaiman
Editor