MRCA Updates/News

Updates / News

SAMENTA Launches Series of International Business Matching Programmes to Boost Trade & Business Recovery

The Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) Malaysia kicked-off a series of international business matching programmes to widen the scope of business opportunities for Malaysian SMEs. The first virtual trade mission, the 2021 Anyang Online Export Business Meeting, was

Mayor of Anyang City, Choi Dae-ho (left), witnessed the MoU signing between SAMENTA Malaysia National President, Kam Lian Hooi (centre), and Director of Anyang Creative Industry Promotion Institute Korea, Kim Hung-Kyoo (right).

MR DOLLAR Offers Aid in Support of White Flag Project

MR. DOLLAR, a subsidiary of MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad, recently stepped up its humanitarian efforts to support the White Flag project via its initiative ‘#KibarkanBenderaKamiBantuSegera’.

Through this initiative, MR. DOLLAR distributed 1,000 food packages daily to those living within a 2-km radius of MR. DOLLAR stores throughout Peninsular Malaysia. All 42 MR DOLLAR stores participated in this campaign which ran from July held over two days, 7th and 8th July, with Anyang City of South Korea.

The virtual trade mission was a follow through after Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s, visit to Seoul in April this year and a subsequent announcement that South Korea and Malaysia had agreed to expand economic ties. In his welcome remarks during the launch of the 2021 Anyang Online Export Business Meeting, SAMENTA Malaysia National President, Kam Lian Hooi, expressed hope that Malaysian SMEs would leverage on this opportunity to expand their business offerings within and beyond Malaysia. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked between sixth Director of Anyang Creative Industry Promotion Institute Korea, Kim Hung-Kyoo, and SAMENTA Malaysia for the two organisations to broaden and strengthen business relationships between SMEs in the two nations towards postpandemic recovery. Mayor of Anyang City, Choi Dae-ho and the Special Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea for Human Resource Competency Improvement, expressed hope that the virtual trade mission would be successful for both Malaysia and Korea.

Kam added that SAMENTA Malaysia continues to push for business opportunities in the international arena to help local SMEs expand opportunities in international trade. “We hope these virtual business matching programmes will help speed up business recovery for Malaysian SMEs,” he explained.

1-14. The food package consisted of cooking oil, instant noodles, tea and coffee, biscuits, sweet creamer, and condiments. The White Flag Project was started by concerned netizens to urge struggling households to raise a white flag, as a signal for help. MR D.I.Y Group’s Vice President of Marketing, Andy Chin said, “With #KibarkanBenderaKamiBantuSegera, we hope that we can do our best to help affected Malaysians weather the storm. By coming together as one, we can make a huge difference in each others’ lives. As a homegrown enterprise, MR. DOLLAR will reach out to those in need as much as where and when needed.”

TAITRA Leads Taiwanese ICT Businesses Venture Into Markets of Malaysia, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia

To promote industrial cooperation between the ICT industries of Taiwan and those of Malaysia, Brunei, New Zealand, and Australia, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held the 2021 AsiaPacific Information and Communication Technologies Industry Online Conference and Seminar in May.

In addition to ICT industry leaders from the four countries and 20 other potential buyers, the conference also included five prominent Taiwanese ICT businesses that had won the Taiwan Excellence Award. These companies include the internet of things (IoT) and the smart application company Advantech, the network communication equipment company D-LInk, the online learning and education solution provider AVer Information, the surveillance monitoring solution provider Vivotek, and the video streaming solution provider CyberLink which has held over 50,000 online seminars.

The seminar was aimed at helping potential buyers within the Asia-Pacific market gain a deeper understanding of the ICT industry in Taiwan. It was also to boost space for buyers to promote relevant products from Taiwan to the markets of Malaysia, Brunei, New Zealand, and Australia. There was also an online discussion session aimed at increasing industrial collaboration.

Despite the current COVID-19 pandemic which continues to ravage the globe, cross-industry integration solutions powered by key technologies like IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence, will continue to significantly alter lifestyles and industrial operations of various countries.

“Despite the pandemic, Taiwan’s total electronic exports reached a record high of USD49.1 billion, marking 15.4% annual growth,” said Eva Peng, Director of Taiwan Trade Centre Inc., Kuala Lumpur. She added that between January and March 2021, exports were valued at 13.2 billion USD.

Launch of Aladdin1 Malaysia

Aladdin Commerce Sdn Bhd recently held the launch of Aladdin1 Malaysia together with a signing ceremony for several local celebrities as shareholders. The event was witnessed by Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives. Datuk Wira Hajah Mas Ermieyati binti Hj Samsudin.

The local celebrities were Raf Yaakob, Mawar Rashid, Aeril Zafrel, Wawa Zainal, Hisyam Hamid, Intan Serah and Jeryl Lee. More celebrities, influencers, artists, sports and e-sports personalities are expected to come on board. The company anticipates post signing to garner a combined social media following of over 25 million.

Aladdin1 is a social commerce platform offering consumers premium and quality halal-focused, authentic and lifestyle products and services. Leveraging on influencers and celebrities can help to spread the word, said Dato’ Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Co-founder of the Aladdin Group.

He said the main target of the group is to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow domestically and begin international operations. The Aladdin Group plans to set up its operations in more than 45 countries with each having its own domestic platform. These countries have a market access of 5 billion consumers of which x01.45 billion are Muslims.

Updates / News

Adient aims to Make Malaysia a Hub for Automotive Seating Foam

Adient Automotive Seating Sdn Bhd (Adient), a subsidiary of Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, said its latest foam plant in Alor Gajah, Melaka, has started exporting headrests to Thailand and Indonesia.

The new RM10 million plant is equipped with state-ofthe-art foam manufacturing technology to serve both the local market and for export. Adient Managing Director, AJ Dabydin, said that through this initiative, the company will drive parts localisation, develop local suppliers, and create more job opportunities and export revenues for Malaysians and Malaysia.

“Leveraging on Adient’s global manufacturing best practices we provide the joy of driving with the safest, most comfortable and most entertaining mobility solutions that truly care for people and respect our planet.” Adient’s environmental responsibility shaped the new Alor Gajah foam plant operation strategy with the implementation of rainwater harvesting system to reduce the dependency on town water and installation of solar panels to produce electricity that powers various pieces of equipment. The factory is also equipped with fivestar power rated and low carbon emission equipment, has LED lighting installed across the entire plant, and manages risks through environmental management systems and appropriate certification such as ISO14001.

Dabydin said that even though a technology-centered approach was adopted, people were at the centre of designing the automation. “There was a need to re-skill and up-skill the operators for effective man-machine interaction and then keeping them safe through a plant layout that allows for one-meter physical distance and carefully planned logistic route,” he explained. In recognition of its contribution to the nation’s economy in using innovative and sustainable foam technology and best practice manufacturing, the Alor Gajah plant recently emerged the winner in the Automotive Services category at SBR’s Malaysia International Business Awards 2021.

Mydin Ventures Abroad Through e-commerce

Retailer Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd is expanding its offerings overseas through e-commerce with Singapore as its first market abroad.

It was reported in the Star newspaper that the company’s venture will be supported by the Shoppee International Programme (SIP) which will also provide it with end-to-end cross-border services including logistics, customer service and payment solutions to market its house brands MyRasa and My Home as well as other products.

The company said in a statement it has ambitions to expand and gain regional exposure and has a chance to do so through e-commerce. Mydin’s Managing Director Datuk Wira Dr Ameer Ali Mydin said e-commerce is an important part of the company’s business which saw a 73% increase in online sales last year compared to 2019.

“This signals that a growing proportion of online-first customers seeing that more people are relying on e-commerce to get their essentials during movement restrictions brought on by the pandemic. With this programme, we are able to extend our reach to Singapore and it will be a step to look at how we grow our business within ASEAN through e-commerce,” he said.

Mah Sing Founder and Group Managing Director Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum (right) receiving a box of gloves.

Mah Sing Begins Glove Production in May

Mah Sing Healthcare Sdn Bhd has received its business licence and other relevant licences and permits, with operations starting in the second quarter of 2021 at its Kapar facility in Klang,

The first shipment of gloves is expected to be delivered in May/June 2021, Mah Sing Healthcare said in a statement.

The company has received an export licence from the Malaysian Rubber Board, as well as two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Establishment Licences for Polymer Nitrile Patient Examination Glove and Latex Patient Examination Glove from the US FDA, which enable Mah Sing Healthcare to export its gloves to the US.

It is progressing well in obtaining other certifications such as the Conformitè Europëenne Marking for the export to the European region. “This new milestone places Mah Sing amongst the first few new glove entrants in Malaysia to commence glove production to meet immediate market demand,” it said.

Six production lines are on track to being operational in the second quarter of 2021 (2Q21), followed by another six production lines in the following quarter, it added.

Meanwhile, Mah Sing Group Berhad has acquired a new piece of prime land of approximately five acres, for RM89 million in Mukim Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. This new acquisition which will be named M Astra is close to the Group’s well-received M Adora in Wangsa Melawati and is targeted for registration of interest in the third quarter of 2021.

The proposed mixed development will comprise two blocks of serviced suites. The project is planned to have 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom units, with indicative built-up area ranging from 850sq ft to 1,030sq ft, and will be affordably priced with indicative starting price from RM399,000.

AmRewards Campaign

During the recent Hari Raya season, from 1 May 2021 to 31 May 2021, customers of AmWafeeq Savings Account-i were entitled for double entries for every RM100 incremental in the Monthly Average Balance (MAB).

This is part of the initiative to reward customers who participate in the AmRewards Campaign and to encourage further savings into AmWafeeq Savings Account-i. The Campaign reflects the bank’s commitment in fostering savings habit while enabling its customers to enjoy attractive rewards.

Eqhwan Mokhzanee, Chief Executive Officer, AmBank Islamic, said that the Hari Raya Special was aimed at providing its customers an opportunity for greater chances of winning cash prizes under the AmRewards Campaign.

Running from 1 January 2021 to 31 August 2021, the AmRewards Campaign is open to all individual primary account holders with active AmWafeeq Savings Account-i accounts.