ZOOM Virtual Backgrounds MY I

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ZOOM Virtual Backgrounds MY II

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ZOOM Virtual Backgrounds MY III

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ZOOM Virtual Backgrounds NL I

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ZOOM Virtual Backgrounds NL II

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[MDBC] Opportunities in the Malaysian ICT Sector for Dutch Business

In May 2021, the Malaysian Dutch Business Council with support of NLinBusiness presented the Market Study “Opportunities in the Malaysian ICT Sector for Dutch Business“, which mainly focused on 4 sub – sectors Big Data & AI, Cybersecurity, E – Commerce, and Cloud. 

There are also in – depth reports available:
– a presentation slide deck (50 pages)
– the full report including references (135 pages)

These reports also contain a guide to doing business in Malaysia.
Dutch companies and entrepreneurs who are interested in receiving these reports are invited to write to MDBC at , including personal and company details.

Please click on the link above for the executive summary with infographics.

[InvestKL] Breaking New Ground: Sustainability in Malaysia

The report by MIT Technology Review Insights highlights what global companies in Greater KL — and Malaysia as a whole — are doing to achieve their ESG targets

InvestKL Corporation (“InvestKL”) launched “Breaking New Ground: Sustainability in Malaysia,” a sustainability-themed report developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) Technology Review Insights recently.  The report is based on interviews with sustainability experts and senior executives from leading global companies in Greater Kuala Lumpur (“KL”). It highlights how they drive sustainability values by incorporating environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) principles into their core businesses, and how their local experience could be applied globally.

The key findings of the report are:

1. Malaysia is committed to becoming a regional decarbonisation leader through its deep, globally integrated industry clusters and supply chains to develop new, greener business processes and less carbon-intensive manufacturing and logistics processes.

2. Greater KL has experienced a significant increase in “greening” opportunities for some of the country’s conventional innovation clusters, particularly in oil and gas, energy, IT outsourcing and other digital economy sectors.

3. Malaysia’s growing sustainability stance is creating a culture of monitoring, measurement and accountability that can serve as a framework for ESG-minded companies.

Please click on the link to read the report in full.

[Henry Goh & Co] The Budapest Treaty in Malaysia and New Directives

On 31 March 2022, Malaysia deposited the instrument of ratification at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Headquarters in Geneva and officially acceded to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. This brings the total number of contracting parties of the Budapest Treaty to 86 (as of 15 July 2022). Following the deposit, the related provisions in the Patents (Amendment) Act 2022 i.e., Sections 26C and Subsection 78O(1A) came into force on 30 June 2022.

The Malaysian IP Office has also issued several directives on 30 June 2022. A raft of new official forms is now available incorporating matters relating to the deposition of microorganisms in view of the enforcement of the Budapest Treaty provisions. There is a grace period up to 31 July 2022 within which the old forms may still be used.

Please click on the link to read the report in full.

MDBC Whitelist Checklist

To ensure that you can receive all of our e – mails, please make sure that you whitelist our addresses and domain.  Need help doing that? We’ve put together a simple, easy to read whitelist checklist for you to follow.

[KPMG] Net Zero Readiness Index
Net Zero Readiness Index 2021, KPMG International

Malaysia was ranked 21st among 32 countries in KPMG’s inaugural Net Zero Readiness Index (NZRI), which compares the progress of selected countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. The index also assesses the country’s preparedness and ability to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

KPMG selected the 32 countries to capture insights from across developed and emerging economies and current energy exporters. They include members of the G20 intergovernmental forum, as well as G20 invitees which are emerging or large economies; members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries; and countries which had a Net Zero target in place at the time of framing the methodology.

Please click on the link to read the report in full.

MDEC MYWiT Initiative

MYWiT is part of the Malaysian government’s effort to incentivize employers to hire unemployed Malaysians via digital re – skilling or upskilling, and to meet the strong demand for digital business services jobs, as well as higher value digital tech jobs.

This initiative supports companies hiring digital talent, through salary and training incentives. MYWiT consists of: Digital Business Services (DBS) and Digital Tech Apprenticeship (DTA).

MYWiT also seeks out jobseekers who want to increase their eligibility for getting hired at digital tech or services companies.

Industry Skills Framework:

• Digital GBS
• Data Science
• Cybersecurity
• Software Development
• Digital Skills Training Directory
• MYWiT Application Form

[Henry Goh & Co] Pursuing IP Protection in a Pandemic – Malaysian Utility Innovation Certificate
Report by Alvin Boey

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID – 19 pandemic, it is business as usual for innovators to develop new inventions, technologies, and solutions since innovation does not stop. Intellectual Property continues to play an indispensable role in providing a solid platform for development, research, analysis, and commercialization of new innovations meeting the challenges in the current pandemic. Without a shadow of doubt that it will be very difficult and challenging to innovate and invent if these new ideas and assets are not protected.

Many intellectual property owners often overlook the pursuance of utility model protection, as compared to a full – fledged patent protection due to various reasons. Many new inventions are cumulative and incremental in nature and the patent system may not be able to accommodate them with its more stringent requirements, namely novelty and inventive step.

Please click on the link to read the report in full.

[Standard Chartered] Critical Indicators of Sustainable Supply Chains

A new report “Critical indicators of sustainable supply chains” from Standard Chartered reveals a significant gap between intent and action as companies expand the indicators beyond ESG.  More than 900 companies globally identified financial robustness, collaboration and connectedness, flexibility and adaptability as well as environmental soundness as the factors to focus on to future proof their supply chains.  What are the weakest links? What are the opportunities?

Please click on the link to read the full report

[KPMG] Ransomware: The 2nd Pandemic

Ransomware may have started over 30 years ago but first gained global notoriety as a result of the WannaCry attack in May 2017.  However, it was not until the global COVID – 19 pandemic where the number of ransomware attacks skyrocketed. The Chainanalysis 2021 Crypto Crime Report indicated that in 2020 cybercriminals profited an estimated US$350M from ransomware alone, an increase of 311% from 2019.  Business leaders in every organization must be proactive to mitigate the risks.

Please click on the link to read the article in full.

[KPMG] Ignore OT cyber risks at your peril

What would life be like without traffic lights, mass – produced food, electricity at the touch of a button, water supply, or easily available petrol and gas?  Operational Technology (OT) makes these possible and pervades our lives in obvious and hidden ways. It automatically monitors and controls processes and equipment that are too dangerous, too demanding or too monotonous for manual operation.

Modern day OT networks run today’s society as we know it, and we’ve taken these conveniences for granted to always be readily available and safe to use. Hence, it is a smart and malicious criminal who knows that targeting OT infrastructures will make us vulnerable.

Please click on the link to read the article in full.

[KPMG] The Human Firewall

Many organizations are now racing to adopt new technologies and digitalize processes to improve productivity, reduce cost, and increase competitive advantage. However, I’ve observed how companies tend to overlook the human risk factor in this accelerated technology transformation race.

The result is predictable: Organizations become more vulnerable to cyber criminals who engage increasingly sophisticated social engineering techniques that exploit their personnel’s behavior.

Please click on the link to read the article in full.

[InvestKL] Virtual Tour of Greater KL Business Hubs

Virtual tours of Greater KL Business Hubs are now live on the InvestKL website.  Explore three business hubs: KL City Centre, Bangsar South, and Cyberjaya with more business hubs on the way.

Please click on the link to start your tour now.

[InternationalSOS] Mental Health Tips

[InvestKL] Performance Report 2020

Invest KL Corporation (InvestKL) is an investment promotion agency tasked to attract global multinational corporations (MNCs) to set up regional hubs in the Greater Kuala Lumpur (Greater KL) area in Malaysia, one of Asia’s most investor-friendly countries. 

Looking ahead, InvestKL will extend its sights to the next 100 MNC investors in Greater KL, with a focus on high-tech, high-impact and high-value investments that will support Malaysia’s path towards embracing Industry 4.0. Foreign investors benefit from InvestKL’ s investment facilitation acumen in formulating competitive fiscal packages, recommending investment sites, ensuring a pipeline of highly-skilled local talents, as well as fast-tracking expatriate and business relocations.

Please click on the link to read the report in full.

[27 Group] 4IR Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) launched the National Industry 4.0 Policy Framework (Industry4WRD) in 2018, on the adoption of Industry 4.0 technology elements for the manufacturing sector and manufacturing – related services.  There was a need to develop a broader 4IR policy framework for the rest of the economy to interphase with the Industry4WRD framework. In addition, a multitude of current policies that direct sectoral growth must be reconciled within a wider structure for improved resource optimization and alignment of execution.  It is with these circumstances we were engaged by the Client with another international consultancy firm to devise the national policy framework.

Please click on the link to read the full report.

[Rabobank] ASEAN update: Recovering from COVID – 19

We have left 2020 in the rear view mirror and are looking forward to getting back to “normal”.  Unfortunately, the coronavirus is still very much influencing our lives and the world economy. While scientists have learned quite a bit about the “original” virus, there remains much uncertainty about new virus mutations like the “South African” and “British” variant. The result is that 2021 will again be a year marked by the fight against the coronavirus.

Please click on the link to read the report in full.

12th Malaysia Plan

The 12th Malaysia Plan has been announced by the government.

Click here to read the document in BM
Click here to read the document in English
Click here for the Executive Summary
Click here for the infographic / pamphlet
Click here for the PM’s speech in BM
Click here for the PM’s speech in English

For more information on the 12th Malaysia Plan, please visit rmke12.epu.gov.my/en

Malaysia’s Digital Economy Blueprint 2021

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has unveiled the country’s digital economy blueprint in a bid to catch up in the digitalisation race. The 10 year road map aims to transform Malaysia into a digitally driven, high income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy.

Click here to download the Digital Economy Blueprint in BM
Click here to download the Digital Economy Blueprint in English

Malaysia: Key Trade and Investment Figures 2019

Source: MIDA

Malaysia: Investment Performance 2019

Malaysia has been proactive during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in balancing public health and the livelihood of the people as well as strengthening the economic fundamentals by providing the necessary approval for companies in several economic sectors to operate, and are subject to strict adherence to health and safety guidelines.

“While the COVID – 19 pandemic has changed the global industrial system, MITI is committed to ensuring that Malaysia continues to be positioned as an investor – friendly location for long term growth of both foreign and domestic businesses. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a long term capital flow. We trust that the existing foreign companies will continue to weather the storm and retain their investment in the country,” said YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), today.

Against the backdrop of a challenging external environment and declining global FDI inflows, Malaysia remains resilient and attracted a total of RM 207.9 billion of approved investments in the manufacturing, services and primary sectors in 2019, a 1.7% increase, compared to 2018. With a contribution of 60.4% (RM 125.5 billion), domestic direct investment (DDI) accounted for the bulk of the total approved investments. Although FDI made up for 39.6% (RM 82.4 billion) of the total, the value of FDI in 2019 had increased by 2.9% from the previous year.

Please click here for the full media release in English.
Please click here for the full media release in BM.

Please click here for the presentation slides.
Please click here for the full report.

Source: MIDA

Approved Investments by States

Source: MIDA

MOH: How to Wash Your Hands

Please click on the infographic above to download a copy for your own reference.

MOH: Health Alert Card

Please click on the infographic above to download a copy for your own reference.

DOSM: Malaysia’s Economy 2019

Malaysia’s economy expanded 4.9% in Q2 2019.

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

For more information, please visit www.dosm.gov.my

DOSM: Malaysia’s Labour Force Q2 2019

The Labour force in Malaysia increased 0.5% to 15.6 million persons in Q2 2019.

Source: Department of Statistics Malaysia

For more information, please visit www.dosm.gov.my