USABC Leads Business Mission to Malaysia, Advancing Bilateral Cooperation in Trade Predictability, Digital Transformation, and High-Value Investments
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) From May 12 - 14, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) held its 2026 Malaysia Business Mission, convening a delegation of 22 U.S. companies for high-level engagements with key government ministries. The delegation was co-led by USABC’s President & CEO, Ambassador Brian D. McFeeters (ret.) and USABC’s Malaysia Committee Chair, IBM, represented by Wong Chiun Chiek, Strategic Investments Vice President, Asia Pacific. This year’s engagements provided a platform for the U.S. private sector to engage with senior officials of the Malaysian Government on advancing a predictable trade environment, strengthening business continuity, accelerating Malaysia’s digital and innovation ecosystem, and promoting sustainable growth.
Over the three-day mission, the delegation met with Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss shared priorities on economic stability, trade predictability, digital transformation, and long‑term bilateral cooperation. In addition, the delegation engaged with senior government officials including, Minister of Finance II YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability YB Dato’ Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, Minister of Higher Education YB Senator Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security YB Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Human Resources YB Dato’ Sri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Chairman of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Finance and Economy YB Dato’ Haji Hasni bin Mohammad, Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia Mr. Suhaimi Ali, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ms. Mareena binti Mahpudz, Director General of the Department of Law and Institutional Reform Datuk Zamri bin Misman, Chief Minister of Selangor YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, and Digital Economy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Digital Datin Noraisha Akma Binti Ismail. The delegation was also received by the Chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia, David “Chip” Gamble.
“Malaysia is a vital partner for the United States in Southeast Asia, and this mission reflects the U.S. private sectors’ shared commitment to predictable trade, high-value growth, and policies that give businesses the confidence to invest for the long term,” said Ambassador Brian McFeeters. “Our fruitful discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Malaysia economic relationship,” he added.
“Malaysia’s focus on trusted digital infrastructure, AI governance, and cybersecurity positions it as a regional leader in the digital economy,” said Wong Chiun Chiek, Strategic Investments Vice President, Asia Pacific for IBM. “IBM is committed to partnering with Malaysia to accelerate digital transformation, advance next‑generation technologies, develop future‑ready talent, and support resilient, secure digital ecosystems that benefit Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region.”
Companies who participated in the 2026 Malaysia Business Mission are Amazon, Apple, Bitdeer, Boeing, BowerGroupAsia, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Coherent, IBM, Mastercard, Manulife, Micron, Meta, Moody’s, Philip Morris, Procter & Gamble, Salesforce, The Asia Group, Visa, Vriens & Partners, and Zuellig Pharma.