The Malaysia Promotion Programme in Manila (MPP Manila) serves as a platform to jointly promote Malaysia’s capabilities in various sectors through Public-Private Partnership involving government agencies, private sectors as well as Government Linked Companies (GLCs).MPP is a campaign aiming to create Malaysia’s branding globally and positioning Malaysia in the Philippines’ market. It is also to showcase Malaysia as a preferred partner for trade and investment, tourism destination, culinary allure, hub for Islamic finance and as a gateway to ASEAN.

The three main components of the MPP Manila are:
Citarasa Malaysia from 11 – 13 March 2018;
Malaysia Business Forum on 12 March 2018; and
Worldbex Exhibition from 14 –18 March 2018.

Business-to-business (B2B) meetings between Malaysian exporters and Philippines importers under “Citarasa Malaysia” are also on-going in conjunction with the Export Acceleration Mission (EAM) on Food & Beverages. This programme will be held from 11–13 March 2018 at Glorietta Shopping Mall. A total of 25 companies from the food and Halal section are involved in this business matching programme.

The “Citarasa Malaysia” is a mini showcase that will be featuring Malaysian dishes and cuisine, giving guests a chance to taste Malaysian food and culture. The programme aims to create awareness of Malaysia’s food and Halal products through food and tourism. The three-day programme will include business meeting, food sampling and Malaysian culinary promotion which will highlight Malaysia’s signature dishes such as roti canai, teh tarik and satay. The programme will also include cultural performances by dancers specially flown from Malaysia by Tourism Malaysia.

Malaysia Business Forum themed “Leveraging Partnership, ASEAN and Beyond” was held this morning at Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila. The business forum highlighted trade & investment opportunities in Malaysia and Philippines, review on ASEAN economy and digital transformation. The programme also included networking session and round table meeting. The Business Forum focused on construction, ICT, tourism and services sectors.

A total of 27 Malaysian companies will be participating in Worldbex 2018, scheduled on 14 – 18 March 2018 at World Trade Centre, Metro Manila. Malaysian exhibitors will showcase and promote Malaysian office furniture, building and construction materials as well as services during the exhibition. This exhibition serves as an excellent platform for Malaysian exporters to explore business opportunities as well as establish stronger network in the Philippines.

The Philippines is an important business partner for Malaysia. In 2017, Philippines was Malaysia’s 15th largest trading partner with a total trade valued at USD 5.94 billion (RM 25.51 billion, increased by 26.1% from 2016).

15th largest export destination, at USD 3.85 billion (RM 16.53 billion, increased by 21.2%); and
19th largest source of imports, valued at USD 2.09 billion (RM 8.98 billion, increased by 36.1% as compared to 2016).
Among ASEAN countries, Philippines is Malaysia’s 5th largest trading partner, export destination and import source.

Malaysia’s major exports to the Philippines in 2017 are electrical & electronic products (parts of electronic integrate circuits, reception apparatus for television), palm oil & palm based agriculture products (refined palm oil, refined palm kernel oil), chemicals & chemical products (urea, methanol, polymers), petroleum products (light petroleum distillates, petroleum spirit for motor vehicles) and machinery, equipment and parts (air-conditioning machine, engine spark-ignition, machinery for preparing tobacco).

Malaysia’s major imports from the Philippines are electrical & electronic products (electronic integrated circuits, computer data storage), natural rubber (technically specified natural rubber (TSNR), natural rubber in smoked sheets), manufactures of metal (copper cathodes, waste & scrap aluminium), machinery, equipment & parts (parts & accessories for manufacture semiconductors, fans), and chemicals and chemical products (additives for mineral oils, personal deodorants).

Malaysian companies are encouraged to tap into the Philippines market and leverage on the potential demand for products and services expected from MPP Manila programme. We hope that Malaysian companies will be able to do more businesses with the Philippines.

MATRADE’s presence in the Philippines through its office in Manila will be the focal point of connecting the opportunities in trade and cross border investment between the two countries.

Updates on Alloy Mtd Projects in the Philippines

Since 2005, infrastructure conglomerate, AlloyMtd Group – through MTD Capital Bhd; having successfully rehabilitated and built the most complex stretch of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from Alabang in Metro Manila to Sta. Tomas in Batangas, advanced to develop regional government and business centres or ‘mini Putrajaya’ for Calamba City in Laguna, Palayan City in Nueva Ecija and Balanga City in Bataan. Recently in January 2018, the AlloyMtd Group announced it is set to develop Phase 1 (60 hectares) of the New Clark City in Pampanga comprising government offices, aquatic centre and athletic stadium amongst others to be made available for SEA Games 2019. Value of the sport facilities is USD 250 million.

The second phase will be completed in 2020-2022 which mostly government offices and government employees housing, estimated at the same value as well, USD 250 million. In its proposal, MTD Berhad Capital will provide financing of the project, as well as technical and engineering expertise for the construction and operations and maintenance of the New Clark City Government Administrative Center. All of its components, salient features and terms shall be subject for thorough review, negotiation and approval of BCDA.

Among the salient features of MTD Capital Berhad’s proposal is the construction of an extension office of the Philippine President and executive buildings, site development for embassies and international schools, buildings to serve as housing for government employees, sports facilities, a central communications and security command center, public schools, a government hospital, a public library, and buildings for community centers.

New Clark City, BCDA’s flagship project, is a new metropolis that will rise in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Capas and Bamban, Tarlac. It is envisioned to be the country’s first and only smart and green city, which will feature mixed-use real estate developments, an agro-industrial park, and a food processing terminal. The New Clark City complements other big-ticket projects in partnership with the Department of Transportation, namely, the Clark International Airport expansion, and the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, aimed at providing interconnectivity and provide efficient mass transportation.

ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

On ASEAN, last year we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of our region. Our efforts, to date, have made ASEAN as one of the most open economic regions in the world. ASEAN remains as the top 6 economies in the world and the region is targeted to become the 4th largest economy by year 2050.

With AEC Blueprint 2025, ASEAN is now in the second phase of our economic integration. The scope of the AEC 2025 which builds on the AEC 2015 has been expanded to bold measures that aim to transform the region to become a highly integrated and cohesive economy through a more inclusive approach and promoting innovation, enhanced connectivity and continuing to be globally engaged.

Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2018 and Priority Deliverables

The 24th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat and Related Meetings in Singapore was held on 1 – 2 March 2018. All ten ASEAN Economic Ministers endorsed the economic priorities identified for Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2018:

Key Thrust 1: Promote Innovation & e-Commerce Flows
ASEAN Agreement on E-commerce & Digital Integration Framework
Establishing the ASEAN Innovation Network (AIN)

Key Thrust 2: Improving Trade Facilitation in ASEAN
Realising the ASEAN Wide Self Certification (AWSC) & ASEAN Single Window (ASW)
Pathfinder on ASEAN-wide Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) Programmes

Key Thrust 3: Deepening Services & Investment Integration
Conclusion & Signing of the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA)
Enhancing the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA)
ASEAN Declaration on Cruise Tourism

Key Thrust 4: Cultivating a Conducive Regulatory Environment
Enhancing Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Cooperation & Trade in ASEAN
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Developing the ASEAN Green Building Code
Establish Framework for Capacity Building Hub for Energy

Key Thrust 5: Progressing ASEAN’s External Relations

Singapore’s economic objectives for 2018 are to deepen regional connectivity to position ASEAN as the region for increasingly seamless economic activity and growing opportunities. Innovation and the digital economy are key areas that Singapore intends to pursue under its chairmanship.

Development on RCEP

Since May 2013, 21 RCEP negotiating rounds, 6 RCEP ministerial meetings, 4 RCEP inter-sessional ministerial meetings and 1 Leaders’ Summit have been held. The 21st Round was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from 2 – 9 February 2018.

The 4th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting was also held the side-line of the meeting which RCEP Ministers deliberated on expediting the pace of negotiations particularly on market access on goods, services and investment as well as on rules, geared towards facilitating trade and investment in support of the expansion and deepening of regional value chains.

The conclusion of RCEP negotiations continued to be challenging after 4 and half years of negotiations. Nevertheless, commitment to produce a modern, high quality and mutually beneficial agreement is higher than ever.

RCEP is part of a larger agenda of ASEAN Economic Integration. Conclusion of RCEP will allow resources to focus on work to achieve AEC 2025 and other ASEAN FTAs.

RCEP will definitely be another key step towards economic integration in the region and would bring positive impact to the global economy. RCEP, when concluded might not be the ideal agreement business sector hopes for but it will be treated as a living agreement with continuous improvement.