Greetings from MASSA !

2023 had been another eventful year. This edition of the Newsletter, we report on several of MASSA’s engagements with South-South countries.

The International Cooperation and Development Division (ICADD), Department of Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia had facilitated a discussion between MASSA and the Embassy of Malaysia in Timor-Leste on 3 August 2023. Following that, through the good office of the Embassy of Malaysia in Timor-Leste, MASSA is pleased to feature The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in this newsletter issue. We are also further pleased to receive a Message from His Excellency Amarjit Singh Sarjit Singh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste addressed to the readers of our Newsletter. We place on record our appreciation to His Excellency and the good office of the Embassy of Malaysia in Dili for the message and article on Timor-Leste. MASSA looks forward to further engagements to bring MASSA members and readers to discover more about Timor-Leste.

The December edition reports on MASSA’s engagements with Bangladesh through its participation at a seminar on the occasion of the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI)’s 6^th Showcase Malaysia on 5 September 2023 and a Courtesy Visit on 15 September 2023 from the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (eCAB) and eCAB Women Forum.

Additionally, MASSA had also engaged in discussions with EXIM Bank on 12 September 2023 and, this culminated in a Briefing on the Malaysia – Djibouti Business Forum on 9 October 2023 at EXIM Bank premises. MASSA and its members were also invited to participate in a Country Presentation by the Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius on 13 September 2023 at EQ Hotel.

This December issue also reports on MASSA’s collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and the Malaysian Association of Public Advocacy for Nature (MAPAN) wherein a webinar on ESG and its Adoption in Malaysia was organised on 27 September 2023. This webinar featured opening remarks by MASSA President, YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim and experience sharing by MASSA’s member, IJM Corporation Berhad and its subsidiary, IJM IBS Sdn Bhd.

As we come to the close of 2023, we are thankful to MASSA members, article contributors, and collaborators for their persevering support throughout the year. MASSA will continue to highlight to members, trade, investment and business leads from the South-South countries.

To this end, several events are in the works with our partners and collaborators for the year ahead. They include a series of webinars on IR4.0 Smart Factories and ESG compliance. For more information, please do look out for our Circulars and Forthcoming Events announcement on the MASSA website.

We also welcome members’ initiatives to work with the Secretariat on innovative programmes that may be beneficial to members and the business community.

We wish all members and readers, season’s greetings, a happy new year 2024, stay safe and keep well.

Thank you.

Ng Su Fun

Editorial MASSA