Diary of Events (April 2025 Issue)
The High Commission of the Republic of Namibia and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) with the support of MIDA organised the Namibia – Malaysia Business Forum on 20 December 2024 at Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur.
The forum saw a delegation from Namibia who was led by Dr Nangula Uaandja, CEO of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), and was graced by H.E Mr Herman Pule Diamonds, High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Malaysia. MASSA was represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary of the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and the MASSA Secretariat.
This event aimed to promote and facilitate investment opportunities, by way of Malaysian businesses setting up their manufacturing / production hub in Namibia to leverage its cross-border agreements with its neighbours and the African region for the purpose of import substitution and job creation, especially in the highlighted sectors of agriculture, textiles (cut, trim, make), infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, halal financing, tourism, mining, new & renewable energy materials.
Ms Ndapewa Hangula, Senior Manager, NIPDB gave the Introductory Remarks and served as Director of Ceremonies.
H.E Mr Herman Pule Diamonds (left), High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to Malaysia and Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA
Over the past decade, Timor-Leste has attracted over 200 Malaysian businesses, creating substantial employment opportunities for locals. With rich natural resources, Timor-Leste presents various opportunities in sectors like oil and gas, renewable energy, fisheries, agriculture, infrastructure development, and a wide range of services.
The focus of the webinar was to highlight and encourage interest and tie-ups and partnerships between Malaysia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, a nation which is in the process of becoming the 11th member of ASEAN. This webinar was also an effort for MASSA and the organisers to complement Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN.
The webinar provided an overview of Timor Leste and the potential business opportunities in Timor-Leste, as the nation continues in its diligent efforts to fulfil the criteria and requirements for its full ASEAN membership.
MASSA was represented by Datuk Merlyn Kasimir (centre), Hon. Assistant Secretary who chaired the webinar, Dr Anthony Dass (left), Executive Director of MIER, National Council Member of SME Association of Malaysia & Executive Committee Member of MASSA, and Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and the MASSA Secretariat joined from the broadcast room.
Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Asst. Secretary, MASSA delivered the Welcome Remarks.
H.E. Dato’ Amarjit Sarjit Singh, Ambassador of Malaysia to Timor-Leste delivered his Opening Remarks.
H.E. Lisualdo Gaspar, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Malaysia delivered his Opening Remarks.
Dr Anthony Dass, Executive Director, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), National Council Member, SME Association of Malaysia and Executive Committee Member, MASSA delivered a Presentation titled ‘Timor-Leste & ASEAN: Economic Outlook’.
Mr Arcanjo da Silva, Executive Director, Trade Invest Timor-Leste (TITL) delivered a Presentation titled ‘Overview of Timor-Leste & Business Opportunities and Incentives’.
Mr Sonio da Silva, Co-owner, Branditall & Business Junction delivered his sharing titled “Doing Business in Timor-Leste”.
Dr Jeremiah Chan, Chairman of the Hotel Association of Timor-Leste (HOTL) & Executive Director, Pelican Paradise shared on ‘Successful Investment Stories in Timor-Leste, Potential Challenges and Why Invest in Timor-Leste?’.
Mr Nazuki Abdullah, Director, Cross Border Investment Division, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) delivered the Closing Remarks.
Group photo of the role players.
The webinar also saw “TABAH DI TIMOR: A SHORT FILM BY THE EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN TIMOR-LESTE“, a documentary presented by the Embassy of Malaysia in Timor-Leste, showcasing 13 stories of Malaysians living in Timor-Leste @ https://youtu.be/Gwgj6j8K_io, and the announcement of MASSA formulating a Mission to Timor-Leste in Q3 / Q4 2025.
The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Malaysia, with the support from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) organised the Uzbekistan-Malaysia Business Forum on 5 February 2025 at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in conjunction to the Official Visit of His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan to Malaysia.
The forum strengthened business collaboration and economic ties between Malaysia and Uzbekistan, and presented an opportunity to explore further opportunities for economic collaboration between the business communities of the two countries.
The Uzbekistan delegation included senior government officials and business leaders from sectors such as chemicals, construction, food & beverages, healthcare, textiles, manufacturing, electronics, agriculture, tourism, energy, and more.
Presentation on Uzbekistan’s investment climate and opportunities for Malaysian investors by Mr Mansurjon Rasulev, Director of the Investment Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Presentation on the agricultural sector by H.E. Alisher Shukurov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Presentation by Mr Fazliddin Sharofitdinov, Director of Project Officer under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Presentation by Mr Akbar Kurbanov, Deputy Chairman of the Board “UZKIMYOSANOAT” Joint-Stock Company.
A series of bilateral documents were also exchanged, highlighting bilateral intentions to collaborate across multiple sectors including food & beverage, energy, retail & trading, and services amongst others.
YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia delivered his speech.
H.E. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan delivered his speech.
YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia delivered his speech.
H.E. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan delivered his speech.
H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev (left), Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia and Ms Ng Su Fun (right), Executive Secretary, MASSA.
From left-to-right: Ms Chan Pei Ling, Manager, Digital Exports, MDEC, Mr Michael Tan, Senior Manager, Digital Exports, MDEC, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA.
From left-to-right: Ms Iza Nurfarisha, Executive, Market Access & Business Support, Industry Support Division, Bioeconomy Corporation, Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Mr Joel Michael Ponniah, Senior Manager, Market Access & Support, Bioeconomy Corporation and Mr Haziq, Executive, Bioeconomy Corporation.
7) Meeting with UMFCCI and MIA on 12 March 2025
A business delegation from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI) and the Myanmar Industries Association (MIA) met MASSA President, Tan Sri Azman Hashim on 12 March 2025.
The visiting delegation was led by its Senior Executive Advisor & Past President, U Zaw Min Win, who was joined by U Aye Tun, Chairman, MIA & Vice President, UMFCCI, Dr Pwint San, Former Union Minister of Commerce, Former Minister of Labour & Former Secretary General, MIA, and Hla Myint Shwe, Managing Director, United Pacific Co Ltd.
The meeting was a renewal of ties between UMFCCI and MASSA, after a long lapse due to the country’s political instability. It was noted that the private sector of Myanmar is ready and keen to seek business tie-ups with Malaysia. The meeting also discussed how Myanmar wish to seek partnerships in skills development & training, energy, infrastructure and education amongst others.
Tan Sri Azman Hashim (left), President, MASSA and U Zaw Min Win (right), Senior Executive Advisor & Past President, UMFCCI.
(from left-to-right) Datuk Lim Hong Yeu, Head of Legal Services & Board Member, ERA & National Council Member, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Mr Ooi Tat Lean, Executive Director, Bina Puri Builder Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA, U Zaw Min Win, Senior Executive Advisor & Past President, UMFCCI, Dr Pwint San, Former Union Minister of Commerce, Former Minister of Labour & Former Secretary General, MIA, Hla Myint Shwe, Managing Director, United Pacific Co Ltd and U Aye Tun, Chairman, MIA & Vice President, UMFCCI.
Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA and U Zaw Min Win, Senior Executive Advisor & Past President, UMFCCI.
The delegation also met with the Expertise Resource Association (ERA) at MASSA’s office before the meeting with MASSA President, Tan Sri Azman Hashim.
This meeting was co-chaired by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA and Mr KS Chen, President, ERA and was attended by Board Members of ERA.
(front-row, from left-to-right) Mr KS Chen, President, ERA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Vice President, ERA & Executive Secretary, MASSA, U Zaw Min Win, Senior Executive Advisor & Past President, UMFCCI, and Dr Pwint San, Former Union Minister of Commerce, Former Minister of Labour & Former Secretary General, MIA.
(back-row, from left-to-right) Datuk Lim Hong Yeu, Head of Legal Services & Board Member, ERA & National Council Member, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Mr Danny Siew, Hon. Assistant Secretary, Board Member, ERA, Hla Myint Shwe, Managing Director, United Pacific Co Ltd, Mr Ong Song Howe, Member, ERA, U Aye Tun, Chairman, MIA & Vice President, UMFCCI and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA.
From left to right: Ms Shafina Syafei, Director, Group PR and Communications, CHHB, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA, Admiral Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Mohd Anwar Bin Hj. Mohd Nor, Chairman, CHHB, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA.
9) MASSA-KolaXus-MAJECA iDeas Xchange #2 – Cross Border Collaboration and Market Expansion on 20 March 2025
Cognisant of the shared, and rising sentiment for corporate-startup convergence & partnership, for innovation, growth, collaboration, and exchange, the iDeas Xchange Series aims to facilitate and encourage networking, interactions, tie-ups and catalytic partnerships between corporate Malaysia and the Malaysian startup ecosystem.
The 2ndiDeas Xchange was jointly organised by the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) with KolaXus, led by its CEO, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, Executive Committee Member of MAJECA on 20 March 2025 at Banquet Hall, Bangunan AmBank Group with the theme of “Cross-Border Collaboration & Market Expansion”.
MASSA was represented by Dato’ Lawrence Lim Swee Lin, Hon. Secretary and Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Asst. Secretary. A total of 80 participants comprising members of MAJECA and MASSA, the corporate business community, Government agencies and the members of the startup ecosystem were present.
Dato’ Lawrence Lim Swee Lin, Hon. Secretary of MASSA
delivered the Welcome Remarks.
Mr Harmender Singh, Vice President, Super PMO & Special Projects, Cradle Fund delivered the Opening Remarks.
Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, KolaXus and
Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) delivered his remarks and moderated the Startup Sharing Session.
Based on the theme of “Cross-Border Collaboration & Market Expansion” the following four startups shared on their respective businesses moderated by Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, KolaXus and Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA):
Mr William Lee, CEO, Easybook
Mr Aiemaan Mohd Noor,
Country Director, Neoreka Asia
Mr Owen Chen Chee Onn, CEO, Neurogine
Mr Lim Chin Wan, Founder & Director, GriPP
Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Asst. Secretary of MASSA
delivered the Closing Remarks on behalf of Tan Sri Azman Hashim,
President of MASSA & MAJECA.
Photo Gallery:
