AMCHAM took its annual signature event the Penang Dialogue virtual for the first time today, in consideration of the current developments surrounding COVID-19 in the country. With this year’s theme of “Resetting for Tomorrow: Malaysia’s Opportunity in Global Value Chains”, discussions throughout the day-long event revolved around how Malaysia is responding to a rapidly evolving global business environment as well as on the local initiatives for both short- and long-term growth. The collective takeaway from almost every participant focused on the importance of nurturing and enhancing the talent pool for Malaysia to capture future high-value chains.

Putrajaya has announced today that the conditional movement control order in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and Selangor will be extended for 14 more days until November 9. Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said this decision was reached after health authorities found that the risk of Covid-19 infection has not abated despite the CMCO in the previous 14 days.

HSBC Malaysia has introduced Mobile Secure Key that allows customers to generate security codes for them to log on to online and mobile banking via its Mobile Banking app. Country head of wealth and personal banking Tara Latini said Mobile Secure Key replaces the physical security device to provide customers with greater convenience and better banking security as it provides a higher level of multi-factor authentication via the mobile phone built-in security.

Technology and hybrid cloud has emerged as the 'force for change' given the need for businesses to realise greater speed to market and flexibility to respond to economic changes and buyer behaviour. IBM Malaysia managing director Catherine Lian said technology is vital in pivoting towards desired outcomes and guarding against disruptive competitors.

Join us this coming Wednesday (Oct 28, 2020), from 10.25am to 11.15am (KUL time) to hear from one of our members, Keysight Technologies who will represent AMCHAM Malaysia to speak on a CSR Panel alongside other U.S. business leaders from the American Chambers of Commerce in Myanmar and Thailand at Indo-Pacific Business Forum!

They will exchange views on the state of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in the region in this moderated panel. Participants will discuss the endurance of this key American value; what it means in the context of the region, how CSR was leveraged during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how this year changed – and didn’t change.

AMCHAM are excited to announce its partnership with LeadWomen and UN Women, as one of the supporting organizations for the upcoming WEPs Malaysia Activator Campaigns.

This program will commence from November 2020 until September 2021 and is expected to engage 300 companies to commit to gender equality by becoming signatories of the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs).

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) should be applauded for their commitment in ensuring that Malaysia’s internet infrastructure, particularly submarine fibre optic cables, continues operating uninterrupted as the country emerges as a strategic data centre hub in Southeast Asia (SEA). Malaysia Internet Exchange (MyIX) chairman, Chiew Kok Hin, today, praised MoT representatives as “unsung heroes for their ongoing commitment to boost Malaysia’s competitiveness in attracting global technology players to our shores.”