Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, H.E. Dr. Muhammad Yunus led a delegation comprising high level government officials and private sector business leaders from Bangladesh to Malaysia. The visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim.

A seminar on Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and Malaysia was organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on 12 August 2025, Tuesday at Shangri La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

MASSA was represented by Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President and Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary.

BIDA gave a presentation on the prospects of doing business in Bangladesh 2.0: Gateway to Growth. Mr Vivek Sood, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Axiata Group shared Axiata’s investment journey in Bangladesh.

The meeting was informed of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed during the visit. These included MOUs between MIMOS Services Sdn Bhd and the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), as well as between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). Dato’ Seri N Gobalakrishnan, President of NCCIM and Mr Rahman, Administrator of FBCCI gave their remarks at the seminar.

H.E. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, graced the seminar as the Chief Guest and delivered his address.

H.E. Dr. Muhammad Yunus welcomed Malaysians to look at Bangladesh as an investment destination, given the sizeable population who are young and talented. Bangladesh is a nation with a lot of energy and creativity with big aspirations to integrate into the global chains for industry and commerce.

For your further reading:

1. 1. TheStar – Malaysia, Bangladesh ink eight MOUs to boost bilateral ties, defence cooperation
2. 2. BERNAMA – Malaysian Investors Urged to Tap into Business Opportunities in Bangladesh
3. 3. The Edge – Malaysia, Bangladesh strengthen ties with semiconductor, high-tech deal

For your further reading:

1. 1. Malaysiakini – FINEXUS Champions Fintech Innovation by Hosting MAJECA MASSA with Support from Cyberview and Kolaxus

The Embassy of Chile, with the support of MASSA, organised a Trade Opportunities Seminar in conjunction with the inaugural visit of Mr Ignacio Fernández Ruiz, General Director of ProChile to Malaysia on 16 October 2025 at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur titled “Chile & Malaysia: Opportunities for Stronger Trade – Connecting Markets, Creating Value”.

This seminar brought together 30 participants comprising business leaders, entrepreneurs, and trade professionals for an exchange of ideas, networking, and key opportunities in Chile, highlighting how ProChile can support international business partnerships.

Ms Ana Belen Bueno, Trade Representative for Malaysia, ProChile delivered the Introductory Remarks and was the MC.

H.E Jaime Muñoz, Ambassador of Chile to Malaysia delivered the Welcome Remarks.

Mr Ignacio Fernández Ruiz, General Director of ProChile delivered a Presentation on the Trade Opportunities between Chile and Malaysia.

Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA delivered the Closing Remarks.

Photo Gallery:

‣ President’s Statement

‣ Editorial

‣ Article: Sarawak’s Pathway to a Bio-Based Future

‣ Diary of Events

‣ 12 August 2025
Seminar on Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and Malaysia

‣ 27 August 2025
MASSA-Kolaxus-MAJECA iDeas Xchange #4 at Finexus Towers, Cyberjaya

‣ 16 October 2025
“Chile & Malaysia: Opportunities for Stronger Trade – Connecting Markets, Creating Value” Seminar

‣ Forthcoming Events

Article Prepared by:

Ms Asha Devi Kaushal

Head of Corporate Affairs
Sarawak Biodiversity Centre

Sarawak’s Pathway to a Bio-Based Future
Sarawak is home to one of the world’s richest biodiversity treasures. For over two decades, the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) has been at the forefront of harnessing this natural wealth responsibly in Sarawak — ensuring that innovation goes hand-in-hand with conservation and benefit sharing.

Established under the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Ordinance, 1997, SBC’s legal framework was amended in 2003, 2014 and subsequently in 2025 to strengthen its role. The amended Ordinance introduces Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) regulations — ensuring equitable partnerships with local communities — and importantly, empowers SBC to undertake commercialisation activities arising from its research and innovation.

This landmark amendment positions SBC not only as a custodian of biodiversity but also as a driver of bio-based economic growth, bridging scientific discovery with real-world applications.

From Biodiversity to Innovation

At the heart of SBC’s mission is bioprospecting — exploring rich biological resources from the Sarawak includes plants, microorganisms, and algae to discover bioactive compounds and natural ingredients with commercial potential. Many of these discoveries draw inspiration from traditional knowledge, reflecting the wisdom of local communities who have long used these resources for wellness and cultural practices.

Key initiatives include:

• • Ethnobiological Research – documenting indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
• • Natural Product Library – consisting of local plant and microbial extracts, pigments, compounds, essential oils, scent tracks and algae for bioprospecting. It serves as a core discovery platform for screening of bioactive compounds by researchers through a formal agreement with clear benefit sharing obligations.

Project highlights include:

• • Biodiversity Make Scents – developing essential oils and constructed fragrances inspired by indigenous plants of Borneo.
• • Natural colours from the wild – offering natural pigment for cosmetic and food industries.
• • Medicine from Nature – bioactive compounds with anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties derived from indigenous plants used by local communities, as well as exploring aging-protective microorganisms isolated from the land of Borneo.
• • Multipurpose Microalgae innovation – developing sustainable biomass and bioactive compounds for nutraceutical, aquaculture, and bioenergy applications

These innovations demonstrate how biodiversity can drive new industries based on science, sustainability, and community collaboration.

Integrated R&D Facility and Capability
The Bioprospecting Programme is supported by 7 well-equipped and specialised laboratories and staffed with trained scientists who work in a conducive environment intended for innovative research.

The laboratories (extraction, microbiology, molecular biology, plant tissue culture, analytical chemistry, bioinformatics, and product development) are designed to provide key service along the “jungle-to-lab-to-commercialisation” axis.

The extraction laboratory is equipped with technologies to produce high quality extracts from plants. Various extraction techniques are available to suit different product or research requirements — ideal for companies seeking consistent, scalable raw materials for cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. SBC can process collected samples or collaborate on custom extraction projects tailored to specific R&D needs.

The Analytical Chemistry Laboratory provides end-to-end compound profiling and quality analysis using advanced instrumentation such as HPLC (analytical to preparative scale), QTOF-LCMS, and GCMS. These facilities enable rapid isolation, purification, and identification of both polar and non-polar compounds.

Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory develops and maintains true-to-type plant materials from mother trees with desirable bioactive traits. Protocols are established to support mass propagation of selected species, ensuring a reliable and quality-assured supply chain for future product development and commercialisation.

SBC maintains a unique microbial and algal collection, providing access to:

• • Over 33,000 microbial extracts (actinomycetes and fungi)
• • More than 680 living microalgae strains

These biological resources are available for collaborative R&D in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, aquaculture, and bioenergy applications. SBC’s established screening assays — antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory — help identify bioactives with commercial potential.

Through the Biodiversity Makes Scents project, SBC has profiled around 700 essential oils derived from Sarawak’s rainforest. These oils are being explored for healthcare, fragrances, and flavours applications. SBC welcomes partnerships with multinational companies and SMEs to co-develop new bio-based ingredients and sustainable consumer products.

Contact information:

Ms Asha Devi Kaushal
Head of Corporate Affairs, N13
Email: asha@sbc.org.my
Phone: +6082-610610 ext. 137

Greetings from MASSA !

As we approach the end of 2025, MASSA extends its appreciation to all members, contributors and collaborators for their support and active participation in our programmes throughout the year. MASSA remains committed to promoting business linkages, trade and investment opportunities, and cross-border partnerships across the South-South region, in line with our long-standing mission to connect Malaysian businesses with emerging markets of the Global South.

In this issue, we are pleased to feature an article contributed by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC), on “Sarawak’s Pathway to a Bio-Based Future.” The article provides an overview of the role of SBC in commercialisation activities, SBC’s integrated R&D ecosystem, which include spanning ethnobiological research, natural product libraries, microbial and algal collections, plant tissue culture facilities, analytical chemistry capabilities and product development laboratories, and highlights Sarawak’s concerted efforts to advance a science-driven, sustainable and commercially relevant bio-based economy. This article will be of interest to firms exploring opportunities in natural products, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, sustainability-driven supply chains and collaborative R&D ventures.

During this quarter, MASSA participated in several engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and fostering innovation-led industry linkages. On 12 August 2025, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) convened a seminar on “Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and Malaysia” in conjunction with the official visit of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, H.E. Dr Muhammad Yunus, to Malaysia at the invitation of the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. MASSA was represented by Vice-President, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, and Executive Secretary, Ms Ng Su Fun. The seminar presented the latest developments and investment prospects under “Bangladesh 2.0: Gateway to Growth”, offering Malaysian businesses current insights into the country’s reform trajectory and expanding economic landscape.

On 27 August 2025, the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA), together with the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Kolaxus, organised the fourth session of the iDeas Xchange Series at Finexus Towers, Cyberjaya, with support from Finexus Group and Cyberview Sdn Bhd. The session brought together 110 participants comprising corporate representatives, government agencies and members of Malaysia’s startup community. The Series continues to serve as a platform to facilitate meaningful interactions between corporates and startups, enabling collaboration, innovation sharing and partnership development in support of Malaysia’s broader innovation and digital economy ambitions.

MASSA also supported a Trade Opportunities Seminar organised by the Embassy of Chile in Malaysia in conjunction with the inaugural visit of Mr Ignacio Fernández Ruiz, General Director of ProChile to Malaysia on 16 October 2025. The Seminar, titled “Chile & Malaysia: Opportunities for Stronger Trade – Connecting Markets, Creating Value” brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and trade professionals for an exchange of ideas, networking, and identification of opportunities in Chile, highlighting how ProChile can support international business partnerships.

As we move into 2026, MASSA will continue to work closely with partners, government agencies and industry stakeholders to develop programmes that will enhance members’ access to emerging markets, new sectors and strategic collaborations. Upcoming events to look forward to include the iDeas Xchange series, Visits, greater engagement on Timor-Leste to complement the membership of the country in ASEAN, will be announced through our Circulars to members. We welcome the participation, ideas and initiatives of our members to co-create programmes that support the Malaysian business community.

MASSA extends warm season’s greetings and best wishes for a healthy, safe and fulfilling year ahead.

Thank you.

Ng Su Fun

Editorial MASSA

Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
MASSA 

2025 has been a significant year. Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN saw many important and historic events, that has led to the deepening of economic collaboration and partnership across countries, region and the globe. The accession of Timor-Leste into the membership of ASEAN is a major milestone for ASEAN, and MASSA is very enthusiastic about the business & investment prospects with this nation.

As the global economy continue to endure the challenge of tariffs and uncertainty, Malaysia’s economy performed admirably in the year of geopolitical turbulence, especially under the US Tariffs and its knock-on effects. The Malaysian economy recorded growth of 5.2% in 3Q2025 from 4.4% in 2Q2025, driven by sustained household spending, steady investment activity and increase net exports of goods and services (led by E&E), while headline inflation remained stable at 1.3% across the 2nd and 3rd quarter.

Going forward, the global trends of higher digitalisation – underpinned by AI-related demand, low-carbon transition investment, growing intra-regional trade, can complement Malaysia as it implements the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) & Budget 2026, alongside the expansion in investment activities, continued demand for E&E, and robust inbound tourism – especially with Visit Malaysia 2026, greater flight connectivity, visa exemptions and promotional activities.

I want to express my thanks to members, especially my fellow Executive Committee Members, MASSA Ex-Officio Representatives from Government Ministries & Agencies, and our esteemed sponsors, for your continued support, participation and contributions at our regular meetings & events. I also want to appreciate all who have contributed valuable and insightful articles to our MASSA Newsletter over 2025.

Additionally, I am pleased to share that the iDeas Xchange, a joint initiative by MASSA with the Kolaxus and the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) is a platform to spotlight the startup ecosystem in Malaysia, whose aim is to catalyse collaboration between corporate and innovators, will continue in 2026. I wish to encourage MASSA members to leverage this unique platform to get acquainted with these innovators, entrepreneurs & startup founders for collaborative partnerships in their growth journeys, and to ultimately expand and scale in the markets of the South-South developing countries.

My best wishes to everyone, Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful 2026!

Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
18 December 2025

The Ambassador of Kazakhstan, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev paid a Courtesy Call on Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MASSA on 21 April 2025.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim (right), President, MASSA and H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev (left), Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia

H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev was accompanied by Mr Amir Aldazhanov, First Secretary (Economy & Investments), and Ms Akmaral Belgibekova, Second Secretary (Communications, Culture, Tourism, Education) from the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Malaysia.

Exchange of gifts between Tan Sri Azman Hashim (right), President, MASSA and H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev (left), Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia.

(from left-to-right) Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Ms Akmaral Belgibekova, Second Secretary (Communications, Culture, Tourism, Education), Embassy of Kazakhstan, and Mr Amir Aldazhanov, First Secretary (Economy & Investments), Embassy of Kazakhstan.

The meeting noted the current global geoeconomic conditions, and discussed the emerging & potential areas of collaboration and cooperation between Malaysia and Kazakhstan vis-à-vis ASEAN and Central Asia as middle power nations who are growing more connected through transport & logistics routes and trade diversification. The meeting also discussed the Astana International Forum, and other areas for joint collaboration between MASSA and the Embassy to highlight and avail MASSA members and Malaysian businesses to business networking, insights and opportunities in and with Kazakhstan.

(from left-to-right) Dato’ Lee Chun Fai, Executive Committee Member of MASSA, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan, and Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MASSA.

MASSA, represented by Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive met with the Centre for Industrial Relation and Network (CIRNET) of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) on 3 June 2025.

Prof Shamsul Bahri, Director, Mr Zaidi Tajuddin, Head of the Industrial Relation and Network Section, Agriculture Officer (Industry Relation and Extension) and Mr Amir Heiqal, Executive Officer 3 represented UPM CIRNET at the meeting.

The meeting was an introduction to UPM CIRNET, and the meeting discussed modalities and programmes MASSA could organise with the resources & talents available within the academic ecosystem to encourage & promote business linkages with the business private sector.

From left-to-right:

Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive, MASSA, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Prof Shamsul Bahri, Director, CIRNET, UPM, Mr Zaidi Tajuddin, Head of the Industrial Relation and Network Section, Agriculture Officer (Industry Relation and Extension), CIRNET, UPM, and Mr Amir Heiqal, Executive Officer 3, CIRNET, UPM.

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4) MASSA-Kolaxus-MAJECA iDeas Xchange #3 on 11 June 2025 at Banquet Hall, Bangunan AmBank Group

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The 3^rd iDeas 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 11 June 2025 at Banquet Hall, Bangunan AmBank Group.

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.

A total of 100 participants comprising members of MAJECA and MASSA, the corporate business community, Government agencies and the members of the startup ecosystem were present.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MAJECA & MASSA
delivered the Welcome Remarks.

Mr Koichi Takano, Managing Director, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur delivered the Opening Remarks.

Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, KolaXus and
Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) delivered the kick-off remarks and moderated the Startup Sharing Session.

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The following four speakers shared on their respective businesses moderated by Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, CEO, KolaXus and Executive Committee Member of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA):

Mr TK Chuah, CEO, BoostOrder

Ms Fumiko Inada, CEO, Bee Informatica

Mr Chris Leong, CSO, Soft Space

Mr Jun Jie, CEO, Capsphere

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Dato’ Lawrence Lim Swee Lin, Hon. Secretary of MASSA delivered the Closing Remarks.

 

Photo Gallery:

From left-to-right:
Ms Nur Syuhaida, MASSA, Mr Nazirul Iman, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, MATRADE, Mr Suresh Kumar, MATRADE Trade Commissioner for Indonesia & Timor-Leste, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Hon. Assistant Secretary, MASSA, Mr Mazlan Harun, Director, China & Northeast Asia Section, Exports Promotion and Market Access Division, MATRADE, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, MASSA, Ms Nurdiana Ismail, Manager, ASEAN & Oceania Section, MATRADE and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim, Chairman, thanked Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members for their service, and congratulated the newly-elected Office Bearers and Executive Committee members on their appointment for the new term 2025 – 2027.

A Joint Courtesy Call was led by Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) & Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) and Chairman of Malaysian South-South Corporation Berhad (MASSCORP) on YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed on 21 July 2025 on the occasion of YABhg Tun’s 100^th Birthday at Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya.

From left-to-right:
Front Row: Dato’ Sri Ahmad Fuaad Mohd Kenali, EXCO Member, MASSA, Tan Sri Datuk Tee Hock Seng, JP, Hon. Treasurer, MASSA, Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA & MASSA and Chairman, MASSCORP Berhad, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lodin bin Wok Kamaruddin, Vice-President, MAJECA, Mr Gary Tang, Hon. Secretary, MAJECA, Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, EXCO Member, MAJECA, Mr Isrami Ismail, EXCO Member, MAJECA.

Back Row: Ms Phoon Thye Ling, Secretariat, Ms Ng Su Fun, Executive Secretary, Mr Atasha bin Alias, Member, MAJECA, Mr Rosyd Ali, Mr Johan bin Julis, Member, MAJECA, Mr Mohd Aiemaan bin Mhd Noor, Member, MAJECA, Ms Ann Khoo Kooi, Member, MASSA, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham, EXCO, MAJECA & MASSA, Ms Nur Syuhaida, Secretariat and Mr Samuel Loh, Programme Executive.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim,
President, MAJECA & MASSA and Chairman, MASSCORP Berhad
delivered his remarks to begin the session.

Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA
read a Citation from MAJECA to YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA read a Citation from
MASSA & MASSCORP to YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad delivering his Responding Statement.

Presentation of the Photographic Tribute Booklets from MAJECA and MASSA to YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (from left-to-right) Datuk Seri Mohamed Iqbal, Vice-President, MAJECA, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President, MAJECA & MASSA and Chairman, MASSCORP Berhad, and Datuk Merlyn Kasimir, Vice-President, MASSA.

The Tribute Booklet can be viewed here:

Photo Gallery:

‣ President’s Statement

‣ Editorial

‣ Country Feature: Republic of Namibia

‣ Diary of Events

‣ 21 April 2025
Courtesy Call by H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan

‣ 21 May 2025
Meeting with MDEC and MATRADE at MDEC Bangsar South Office

‣ 3 June 2025
Meeting with UPM CIRNET

‣ 11 June 2025
MASSA-Kolaxus-MAJECA iDeas Xchange #3

‣ 12 June 2025
Meeting with MATRADE Trade Commissioner for Indonesia & Timor-Leste

‣ 19 June 2025
MASSA-MDEC Discussion on Market Overview & Trade Opportunities in Timor-Leste at MDEC Bangsar South

‣ 25 June 2025
34th Annual General Meeting of MASSA

‣ 21 July 2025
MASSA-MASSCORP-MAJECA Joint Courtesy Call on YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed at Perdana Leadership Foundation, Putrajaya

‣ Forthcoming Events

Greetings from MASSA !

In this August newsletter, our Country Feature is the Republic of Namibia. We thank the good office of High Commission of Namibia to Malaysia and the Namibia Investment Promotion & Development Board (NIPDB) for this Country Feature. The Country Feature highlights the strategic market access & geographic location of Namibia, which is complemented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), access to raw materials and diverse opportunities which include, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, minerals (exploration, processing etc.) and energy.

MASSA had organised a Discussion on 19 June 2025 with MDEC at MDEC Bangsar South on the Market Overview & Trade Opportunities in Timor-Leste which was well attended. The webinar was graced by the Ambassador of Malaysia and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste, who both delivered the Opening Remarks. Strong interests were shown towards doing business in / with Timor-Leste, who is expected to be a full member of ASEAN.

MASSA was also pleased to jointly organise the 3^rd edition of the iDeas Xchange at Bangunan AmBank Group on 11 June 2025, with Kolaxus and the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA) – www.majeca.org. The 3^rd edition of iDeas Xchange was graced by Tan Sri Azman Hashim, President of MASSA & MAJECA, Dato’ Lawrence Lim Swee Lin, Hon. Secretary, MASSA and Mr Koichi Takano, Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) Kuala Lumpur, and was well-attended by over 100 corporate luminaries, startup entrepreneurs and businesspeople.

MASSA’s 34^th Annual General Meeting convened on 25 June 2025. It was hosted by MASSA President, YBhg Tan Sri Azman Hashim, at Bangunan AmBank Group. The MASSA 2024/2025 Annual Report can be read here: https://www.massa.net.my/massa-2024-2025-annual-report/.

MASSA had a Courtesy Call from H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan on 21 April 2025. MASSA had also met with MDEC, MATRADE, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) respectively.

MASSA led by our President called on YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Founder Patron of MASSA on 21 July 2025 at Perdana Leadership Foundation. Happy 100^th Birthday and many happy returns, YABhg Tun!

We want to thank our members, ex-officio, contributors, and partners for your support to date. MASSA remains committed to present to members, trade and investment leads from the South-South countries, as well as keep members appraised of the current and future-forward developments in Malaysia, and the region.

In view of this, several events to keep an eye out for are in the works, which include the next edition of MASSA-Kolaxus-MAJECA’s startup sharing and meetup series, iDeas Xchange.

Do look for our weekly Circulars and postings in our website www.massa.net.my. We look forward to meet readers & members at MASSA’s upcoming events.

Thank you.

Ng Su Fun

Editorial MASSA

Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
MASSA 

As businesses navigate the complex and volatile geoeconomic environment in the second half of 2025, indicators have suggested continued, albeit softer global expansion underpinned by resilient consumer spending, some advance purchasing, positive labour markets, and fiscal stimulus.

However, this outlook faces significant risks from sustained tariff & policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, illustrated by the Trump administration’s rollout of the Liberation Day tariffs, which have dealt a blow to global markets, restricted exports, and stymied investments. The announced tariffs have affected numerous countries, including Japan, South Korea and ASEAN member countries. Malaysia is seeing a 25% tariff (a further one percent increase from the April announcement) levied by the administration.

Amidst these conditions, Asia and ASEAN are called to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate trade to strengthen internal & regional foundations to weather global uncertainty and complexity. Inter-regional trade, investment and integration across all sectors, that include green economy, human capital, digital technologies, are crucial and should be encouraged to stand against unilateralism and protectionism, to achieve resilient growth and to drive value creation.

Further to this, the international, regional and bilateral FTAs such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), whose signatories have been hit by the tariffs, should be leveraged as platforms for deepening and strengthening cooperation and trade liberalisation.

I am pleased to note that Timor-Leste’s application for accession into ASEAN has made great strides under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, following the decision at the 46^th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11^th member of ASEAN at the 47^th ASEAN Summit in October this year.

MASSA’s 34^th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on 25 June 2025. The Executive Committee for the new term 2025/2027 is pleased to onboard Datuk Merlyn Kasimir as Vice-President, Mr Chang Yii Tan as Hon. Assistant Secretary, and Datuk Nurbayu Kasim Chang, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham & Dr Jeremiah Chan Kin Meng as Executive Committee Members. I congratulate them on their appointment and would like to thank the Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members who will continue to serve the Association for the new term.

I appreciate the continuing support of all Members with your involvement at our regular meetings, events and webinars. I also wish to thank article and feature contributors from across the MASSA network, who have provided valuable and insightful articles for our readers and not forgetting the sponsors of our website.

On behalf of the Executive Committee of MASSA, allow me to place on record our warmest congratulations to MASSA’s Founder Patron, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on his 100^th Birthday. YABhg Tun’s foresight in establishing the Malaysia-South America Association (MASA), then Malaysia Latin America Association (MALAM), and culminating in the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) to champion South-South Cooperation under the guiding principle of “Prosper Thy Neighbour” has been transformative.

YABhg Tun’s encouragement in pioneering collaboration among Malaysian businesses to mutually explore, expand, and cooperate with emerging economies had catalyzed many opportunities for shared growth and mutual advancement. Since its inception in 1992, our Association remains committed to pursuing this mission, to bridge South-South cooperation through business partnerships.

Through YABhg Tun’s support, MASSA’s sister organization, the Malaysian South-South Cooperation Berhad (MASSCORP Berhad) was founded comprising shareholders who were MASSA’s founding members. This vehicle undertook viable and bankable investment projects jointly in these countries. These investment activities include: Latin America (Edificio Malasia, Las Flores Residence, CIDEC Leather Tannery, San Bernado), ASEAN (Binh An Water Treatment Plant, Danang Industrial Park, Fortune Park Residences, MiCasa Hotel Project), as well as facilitating and supporting fact-finding and business missions into Africa, Indochina, West Asia and the Pacific Islands amongst others.

MASSCORP with an initial capital of RM53 million, now has shareholders’ funds of RM72 million and have paid dividends of RM40 million to date to its shareholders.

On this joyous occasion, the members of MASSA and MASSCORP Berhad join me in wishing YABhg Tun continued good health, happiness and the warmth of loved ones. May YABhg Tun’s centennial year be filled with the same grace, wisdom, and dignity that has defined his unparalleled journey.

Thank you.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
1 August 2025

COUNTRY FEATURE
REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA

Article by:
High Commission of the Republic of Namibia

The feature can also be accessed via by clicking here.