PM Anwar Ibrahim Receives USABC Delegation to Maximize U.S.-Malaysia Business Relationship
(Putrajaya) On May 7, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and senior members of his Unity Government met with 20 leading American companies during the US-ASEAN Business Council’s (USABC) annual business mission to Malaysia. Highlighting the significance of this year's mission was the presence of two active U.S. Ambassadors – the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, The Honorable Edgard D. Kagan and the US Ambassador to ASEAN, The Honorable Yohannes Abraham – accompanying the delegation. For the first time in USABC history, member delegates will visit Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia as an added component of the business mission.
During the mission, the delegation discussed opportunities for collaboration in various sectors including digital, healthcare, energy, finance, among others. PM Anwar expressed appreciation for U.S. business investment, human capital development, and technology transfer to Malaysia. He stressed the need to attract more U.S. investment and make Malaysia more appealing to investors, while inviting companies to offer their inputs and to keep the dialogue going. He also outlined his priority to implement trade and investment shifts through the Madani Economic Framework, aimed at streamlining bureaucracy, tackling corruption, and increasing the supply of renewable energy. Additionally, PM Anwar emphasized the importance of digitalization, and increased economic integration as priorities for 2025, when Malaysia will chair ASEAN.
“In the current global geopolitical environment, this year’s Malaysia Business Mission holds great importance for U.S.-Malaysia bilateral relations.”, said Amb. Brian McFeeters, USABC Senior Vice President and Managing Regional Director. “Malaysia’s significance to the United States and global supply chains cannot be understated and the American business community is committed to helping Malaysia achieve its economic transformation under the Madani Economic Framework and National Industrial Master Plan 2030.”
Throughout this mission, delegates met with key members of the cabinet including Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Trade and Industry Minister Zafrul Aziz, Minister of Health Dzulkefly Ahmad, Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah bin Azizan, among others. In addition, the delegates of will meet with Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Energy Transition & Water Transformation (PETRA) & Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, as well as the newly appointed Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.
Members companies participating in the 2024 Malaysia Business Mission include IBM, Coca Cola, AirBnb, Amazon, Atmo, Cargill, ConocoPhillips, FedEx, Google, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott, Mastercard, Meta, Oracle, Philip Morris, Qualcomm, Visa, Viatris, and Zuellig Pharma.