In this edition, we wish to take this opportunity to express our thanks to the following people and organisations for their respective contributions and efforts in trying to strengthen and enhance the South-South platform:

1. YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong for leading a joint ACCCIM and MASSA Business Mission to Vientiane, Laos from 10 – 13 December 2012. 24 Malaysian members were warmly welcomed at all the receptions and meetings with the Laotian Government officials which include the Deputy Prime Minister and the local business community. Our members found the country very conducive to business and foreign investments;
2. H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Than Tai Hing, the Malaysia Ambassador to Laos and also H.E. Ambassador Khamphan Anlavan, the Ambassador of Laos to Malaysia for their counsel, guidance, advice and presence during the delegation’s time in Vientiane, Laos;
3. MITI and MATRADE for their articles on ASEAN: Deepening Regional Integration and the Market Development Grant (MDG) update respectively. We encourage all members to stay in touch with and keep abreast of the various initiatives, progress and offerings by MITI and its various agencies for further business opportunities. The ongoing regional integration within ASEAN affords us a much bigger market on a wider platform but also more competition; and
4. to all our members, associates and sponsors for assisting us in the successful publication of this newsletter. We want to continue the close relationship with all of you so that together we can further strengthen and enhance the South-South platform.

In the coming new year, we are pleased to inform that the MASSA Executive Committee has given its support for the organisation of business missions to Timor Leste and selected CIS countries. MASSA will also be supporting the Showcase Malaysia event held for the third time in Dhaka, Bangladesh in May 2013. We welcome all members’ support and participation in these events.

In ushering in the year 2013, we in the editorial team wish all members and readers a very “Happy New Year’’.

Fatimah Sulaiman
Editor

The world’s economy is still saddled with the financial turmoils in Europe and the United States while China’s economy is experiencing softer domestic demand and slowing export growth, not withstanding the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Persistent headwinds from a stumbling world economy seem likely to persist. Inspite of this scenario, we note that growth in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region is still the highest among the developing world and constituting 40% of global growth. EAP (excluding China) is expected to grow 5.6% in 2012, contributed mainly by the ASEAN member countries, Malaysia included.

Malaysia has held a steady course to date, and its economic prospects for 2013 are expected to remain resilient with GDP growth to be between 5.0% and 5.4%. This growth expectation is backed by strong domestic demand, boosted by private and public consumption and investment outlays. This will be especially evident in the services and construction sectors arising from the Government’s ongoing Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) rollout.

The Executive Committee of MASSA recently deliberated at its meeting on ways and initiatives to keep MASSA relevant and useful to members and the investing community. We welcome members’ input and constructive ideas. It was agreed that MASSA will continue to strengthen its business linkages with South-South Countries especially those countries that have yet to be explored. These include the CIS countries and Timor Leste amongst others. MITI, MATRADE and MIDA have offered their continued support and we want to thank MITI and their agencies for assisting the business private sector in this endeavor.

As 2012 comes to an end, we are optimistic for new and innovative approaches to business opportunities coming on stream in 2013. I wish to express, once again, MASSA’s gratitude to all members and the Executive Committee members for their valuable participation and contribution to the Association for 2012.

I wish you and your families Season’s Greetings, and a Happy and Successful 2013!

TAN SRI AZMAN HASHIM
President