Australia Malaysia Business Council

Malaysia Australia Business Council

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

‘Australia Malaysia: Forging Ahead' Initiative to aid economic policy through industry focus sessions

Thursday November 3, 2011.  The Australia Malaysia Business Council and The Malaysia Australia Business Council have announced they will use the ‘Australia Malaysia: Forging Ahead Initiative’ to highlight trade and investment opportunities arising out of a host of economic reforms to take place in Malaysia over the next 12 months.

These economic reforms – announced as part of the 2012 Budget Speech in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month – are set to be addressed through a series of focus sessions at the launch of the Forging Ahead Initiative on Thursday 17th of November 2011 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The full business day briefing will feature a number of keynote addresses from government and business leaders, focusing on the themes of ‘human capital development’, ‘business and professional services’, ‘science, technology and sustainability’ and ‘forging ahead’ through dedicated industry sessions.

The main platform presentations will include:

Human Capital Development
-    The importance of human capital to Malaysia
-    Education and vocational competency development
Business and Professional Services
-    Finance/Law
-    Banking
-    Medical and Health Tourism
Science, Technology and Sustainability
-    Environment
-    Australia Malaysia Science Partnership
-    Commercialisation of Innovation
-    Biotechnology
Australia/Malaysia Forging Ahead
-    Policy and Regulation – MAFTA
-    Sabah’s view of the future
-    Malaysia as a hub for ASEAN

AMBC National President Larry Gould believes that in addressing these focus points of economic policy through the Forging Ahead Initiative, the AMBC/MABC can “showcase the proactive and supportive business frameworks that exist in the Malaysian and Australian economies, and the vast opportunities for foreign investment in Malaysia.”

The initiative – which has been developed in partnership with the Malaysia Australia Business Council (MABC) and Roxby Media – will be supported across a number of media platforms, including a purpose built website and supporting print publication, with the launch event set to be recorded and made available online for download.

Following the launch in Melbourne, the initiative will be unveiled on the 23rd of November in Kuala Lumpur by way of a cocktail reception. This event will be attended by Malaysian and Australian Government officials, Agency heads, MABC members and partners and a contingent of Australian delegates.

With the support of key trade and investment agencies including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the initiative is decisive in light of policies such as the Government Transformation Program (GTP), the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP), One Malaysia – People First, Performance Now and the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) said MABC Chairman Michael Halpin.

Designed to achieve objectives including ‘accelerating investment’, ‘generating human capital excellence, creativity and innovation’, ‘rural transformation’, ‘a stronger civil service’ and ‘easing inflation: enhancing well-being’, these programs are unique in their reliance upon the private sector.

“In particular, the ETP –will look to address 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) to assist the transition toward a manufacturing and services-orientated economy – has been budgeted as RM1.4 billion, with 92 percent of this to come from the public sector,” continues Mr Halpin.

In structuring the launch event industry sessions in Melbourne, around key focus points as outlined by the Malaysian Prime Minister, The Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Larry Gould believes the AMBC/MABC can “act as a conduit for building relationships at a business to business level and continue to promote Australia and Malaysia as world class destinations for trade and investment.”

Registrations for the launch of the ‘Forging Ahead Initiative’ in Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur are filling fast with a limited number of places available. Secure your place by contacting Sandra Johansson at Roxby Media on +612 8246 7400.

Issued jointly by Australia Malaysia Business Council and Malaysia Australia Business Council.

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