Market Updates and Opportunities for Malaysia

NSW Government and MIDA invite you to join this briefing on market updates and business and investment opportunities in Malaysia on Wednesday, 23 September 2020 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM (AEST).

We will hear from the Group Chief Economist Am Bank Research, Dr. Anthony Dass; Director of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Australia, Ms. Fatmah Ahmad; the Chair of Board of Directors of the Export Council of Australia, Ms. Dianne Tipping; and the Managing Director of PPC Moulding Services, Mr. Grahame Aston who has extensive experience in doing business in Malaysia.

The briefing will highlight on the opportunities between NSW and Malaysia as well as to better understand Malaysia’s capability as a new alternative supply based for Asia.

Why Malaysia?

In 2018 Malaysia was Australia’s 10th largest trading partner and recorded the second fastest growth in two-way trade among major ASEAN economies. Malaysia is Australia’s sixth largest energy export market, and total bilateral trade (goods and services) increased from $16 billion in 2008 to over $24 billion in 2018. Malaysia is Australia’s second largest source of foreign investment from ASEAN. Malaysia is an advanced middle-income nation with the fastest urbanisation growth rate in ASEAN. The country is expected to reach high-income status by 2024. For the foreseeable future, Malaysians will continue to have growing disposable incomes and good access to credit, supported by a mature financial sector. These more affluent and sophisticated consumers will demand greater product choice, better quality brands and higher standards of service. Malaysia’s growth presents numerous commercial opportunities, particularly in sectors such as food and agribusiness, digital economy (e-commerce and fintech), health care, smart cities, energy and defence.

The webinar will cover:

• Opening Speech by Peter Mackey, Director International, NSW Trade and Investment.
• Malaysian Economic Updates by Dr. Anthony Dass, Group Chief Economist, AmBank Research.
• Business and Investment Opportunities, in Malaysia by Ms. Fatmah Ahmad, Director, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Australia.
• Insights on Doing Business in Malaysia by Mr. Grahame Aston, Managing Director, PPC Moulding Services Pty. Ltd.
• Comments from Ms. Dianne Tipping, Chair of Board of Directors, Export Council of Australia.
• A moderated online Q&A session.

Who should attend?

Emerging and existing exporters as well as NSW businesses who are looking for opportunity to diversify market and supply chain as well as exploring business and investment opportunities in Malaysia.

Speakers:

Ms. Fatmah Ahmad, Director Malaysian Investment development Authority (MIDA) Australia:

Ms. Ahmad has been serving for over a decade at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the Government’s principal agency responsible to drive investments in manufacturing and selected services into Malaysia. She is currently holding the position of Director of MIDA Australia with areas of coverage include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Oceania region. She was previously holding several different positions in other divisions within MIDA Headquarters including Foreign Investment Promotion, Petrochemical and Chemical Industries, Corporate Management Services and Life Sciences & Medical Technology

Mr. Grahame Aston, Managing Director of PPC Moulding Services Pty Ltd, PPC Moulding Services (Malaysia) Pty Ltd, L.J Wallace Pty Ltd:

Grahame is also the Managing Director of Maskbuddy Pty Ltd, and the President of the Plastics Industry Manufacturers of Australia (PIMA). He purchased Moulding Services in Oct 2007 and in 2014 he saw the opportunities presenting themselves in Malaysia and began operations in 2015, actually selling our first part in 2016. In 2017 the company identified that they are going to outgrow the current facility in Tampoi and found I-Park in Senai Airport City to be its future. They relocated to I-Park SAC in 2017 and was the first business to begin operations there in 2018. They expanded the operations in I-Park to a second 3000m2 factory in 2019 and re-expanded again in I-Park 2020 to a third 3000m2 factory with all factories adjoining each other. The business from 18 staff and 14 machines in 2007 to now having over 250 staff in Sydney, over 250 in Malaysia, a JV in America and also Austria. PPC Moulding was awarded the NSW Premier’s Western Sydney Exporter Award in 2017. In 2019, the company was named in Med-Tech magazines, Top 10 Medical Device Manufacturers in the APAC region, and recently named as ERA Magazines 10 Best Entrepreneurs in 2020. PPC Moulding Services is planning to launch a new anti- viral mask called maskbuddy soon.

Dr. Anthony Dass, Group Chief Economist AmBank Research:

Dr. Dass joined the AM Bank Group since June 2013 and now serving as the Group Chief Economist/Head of AmBank Research. He started his career as an Economist at Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM), worked with stock broking firms thereafter, and involved with various ministries and government agencies throughout his career. He has 30 years of working experience in the field and currently seconded to the EAC of Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia.

Ms. Dianne Tipping, Chair of Board of Directors, Export Council of Australia:

Dianne has spent over 35 years handling export transactions and during the early years worked for 2 large multi-nationals and later after opening her own company in 1982 worked with the same multi-nationals and others handling their export matters. Companies that she has dealt with since 1982 are still valued as part of her client base. During the past 20 years Dianne has spent a great deal of time working with the Export Council of Australia and various other non-government and government agencies to teach and encourage exporters to achieve their global ambitions in a safe and secure way. Dianne is Chairman of the Education Committee.

How to register?:

• Cost: Free – places are limited – and registration is required (use the registration link above)
• When: Wednesday, 23 September 2020 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM AEST
• Platform: Online – Microsoft Teams (log-on details will be sent 1 day prior to event)
• Further information: email export.enquiries@treasury.nsw.gov.au

Read Austrade’s COVID-19 updates for exporters for further information on the current situation.

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