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ESG, supply chain to top agenda in Malaysia’s high-powered trade mission to US

Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali will lead the trip to reinforce the country’s value proposition as a preferred investment destination and trading partner.

Bernama
2 minute read
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Major investments from the US are in the electrical and electronic, machinery and equipment, and chemicals sectors.
Major investments from the US are in the electrical and electronic, machinery and equipment, and chemicals sectors.

Broadening bilateral linkage opportunities with a central agenda on environmental, social and governance (ESG), as well as supply chain resilience, will be the key focus during International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali’s trade and investment mission to the US.

Scheduled for May 9 to 18, the trip aims to reinforce Malaysia’s value proposition as a preferred investment destination and trading partner.

“The mission is paramount for Malaysia to engage with American business counterparts and further enhance Malaysia-US economic cooperation,” the international trade and industry ministry (Miti) said in a statement today.

In Washington, the minister is scheduled to have meetings with Gina M Raimondo, the US secretary of commerce, and ambassador Katherine Tai, the US trade representative. 

The meetings will highlight Malaysia’s capabilities and capacities in strategic sectors, including advancing ESG in trade and investment and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

Azmin and Raimondo will also sign a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between Malaysia and the US to promote deeper bilateral cooperation in semiconductor supply chain resilience efforts. 

The MoC demonstrates Malaysia’s significant role in ensuring the stability of the global supply chain in the manufacturing sector and its related services, the ministry said.

“The government’s strong commitment to advancing a green economy, business-friendly policies, and comprehensive measures aimed at solidifying bilateral cooperation with key industry partners will catalyse Malaysia’s value creation in advancing the nation’s competitiveness. 

“This is in line with the national aspiration toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as stipulated under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” Miti said.

The National Investment Aspirations policy will feature prominently in the core discussion topics during the mission.

This mission, it said, will include facility visits and one-to-one business meetings with prominent American companies as well as potential investors in high-value sectors, including electrical and electronics (E&E), medical devices, metal technology, and telecommunication.

The engagement is targeted at securing new business opportunities and attracting high technology, capital-intensive as well as high value-added investments with high-income jobs.

In 2021, the US was Malaysia’s third largest trading and export destination, and its fourth largest source of import. Total trade between the two countries grew by 21.4% to RM217.10 billion (US$52.37 billion) compared to 2020. 

Malaysia’s exports to the US increased by 30.4% to RM142.20 billion, mainly due to higher exports of E&E and rubber products.  

Imports from the US grew by 7.4%, valued at RM74.87 billion (US$18.06 billion), contributed by higher imports of E&E and metal products.

The US is the fourth largest foreign investor in Malaysia in terms of implemented manufacturing projects, with a total of 840 manufacturing projects worth RM84.97 billion and the creation of 188,396 jobs. 

Major investments from the US are in the E&E, machinery and equipment, and chemicals sectors.