Greetings from MASSA and a belated Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

It has been a rather quiet time for MASSA especially when the Muslim fasting month Ramadhan fell in June 2016 followed by the celebration of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri on 6 and 7 July 2016.

MASSA held its Annual General Meeting on 21 June 2016.  Although the meeting was short and simple, as usual the networking before and after the meeting, provided an opportunity for members to meet, catch-up and renew acquaintances.

The luncheon talk by Mr Zaw Min Win, Chairman of Myanmar Industries Association (MIA), Myanmar on the Economic Outlook of Myanmar: Post Election Period Opportunities, Issues & Challenges, held at the Concorde Hotel on 3 May 2016 was well attended.  Myanmar is an exciting place that is ready to embrace new businesses and investments opportunities. 

On 20 June 2016, MASSA organised a visit to Crops For The Future (CFF) Research Centre at the University of Nottingham branch campus in Semenyih, Selangor.  This  interesting  visit  revealed  to  us  that the Malaysian Government is far sighted to dedicate such a facility to undertake R & D on underutilized crops for food and non-food uses.  Crops apart from wheat, rice, maize and soyabean have much potential to contribute to food security, human and animal nutrition, diversification of agricultural systems including its range of commercial usages.  Members are welcome to this facility to discuss with the CFF team how they can partner your organisation to mutually achieve the aforementioned goals.

MASSA also received a few visitors during the last few months, including the visit of H.E. Mohd Zamruni bin Khalid, Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam together with the Economic Counsellor, Mr Dickson Dee Ladi to MASSCORP’s subsidiary company in Danang, Vietnam, namely MASSDA Land Company Limited.

We urge members to look out for our weekly circulars, designed to bring to your attention, the events and happenings on the South-South business circuit.

We take this opportunity to once again thank you for your support.

Fatimah Sulaiman
Editor