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

As 2013 unfolds, we continue to see economic challenges on many fronts.  This has become the “new” normal and will be a constant part of the economic landscape going forward.  In 2012, global economic growth moderated, despite the weakened and fragile economic conditions in the United States and European Union.  These economies consequently affected international trade and emerging economies growth.

The Malaysian economy performed better than expected recording a strong growth of 5.6% driven by higher growth in domestic demand, higher consumption and investment spending, amidst low inflation environment and supportive financial conditions.  Investment spending was also attributed to the commencement and ongoing progress of infrastructure projects especially those under the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

The Malaysian economy in 2013 is expected to remain on a steady growth path, with an expansion of 5%-6% in 2013, barring unforeseen circumstances.  This will be anchored on the continued resilience of domestic demand and private investments.

MASSA, in keeping with the electronic and internet age, will upload MASSA News electronically onto its website at www.massa.net.my.  Our maiden issue is still work-in-progress, as we migrate from print to electronic media.  This will also be our contribution to  reduce our carbon footprint by going digital.  We welcome members’ feedback on this issue.

Emerging fresh from the 13^th General Election of Malaysia held on 5 May 2013, we congratulate our Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, for being given a fresh mandate to govern the country for a new term.  As corporate Malaysia, we believe there will be continuity in terms of economic policies, along prudent fiscal management, focusing on the sustenance of growth and facilitating long term economic transformation plans.  With this, we look forward to synergizing private sector’s efforts with our Government to contribute towards Malaysia’s aim to become a high-income nation that is both inclusive and sustainable by 2020.

TAN SRI AZMAN HASHIM
President