8 THE TIMES MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017 Special Economic Reports

This report was produced by WORLD EYE REPORTS. You may view this online at: info.japantimes.co.jp/international-reports/?t=wer World Eye Reports and at www.worldeyereports.com. 123RF.COM / HAFIZ ISMAIL 123RF.COM www.worldeyereports.com Malaysia and Japan: A strong relationship grows closer Bridging the gap: This is Nippon Express stablished in Malaysia alaysia and Japan based their operations in making it one of the most of Malaysia, Datuk Johari the fields of consultancy for the past 33 years have significant Malaysia to benefit from connected countries with Abdul Ghani — will and market development E and now one of the M events to com- the country’s economic Japan.” “promote Malaysia-Japan in the international halal strongest players in logis- memorate in 2017, as they stability, technological “The efficiency and rapid relations and reap countless food sector,” said Dato’ tics and transportation in the celebrate 60 years of dip- capabilities and educated growth of Malaysia must go benefits for both peoples.” Dzulkifli Mahmud, CEO country, Nippon Express is a lomatic relations, as well of the Malaysian External world leader in supply chain as 10 years of the Japan- Trade Development solutions with a strong Ma- Malaysia Economic Part- Japanese companies have based their operations Corporation. “Japan is laysian base. nership Agreement. To- helping us expand this Befitting its presence in gether, these anniversaries in Malaysia to benefit from the country’s economic segment.” this Muslim-majority coun- are highlighting one of In a nutshell, Malaysia is try, Nippon Express has just Japan’s strongest partner- stability, technological capabilities and educated a country with great cultural completed an MS2400:1 “ha- ships in the ASEAN re- and religious diversity lal logistics” certification, gion. English-speaking population. that has grown to become the first of its kind world- In fact, in November last a regional power with wide and issued by JAKIM. year, Malaysia’s Prime developed infrastructure “This certification is Minister and Minister of English-speaking popula- hand in hand with improved In one particular growth and a diversified and crucial for our continuous Finance, Dato’ Sri Mohd tion. Toshihiko Todokoro, IT infrastructure,” said sector — halal food — sophisticated economy. Its success as it gives us the Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, president of the Japanese Makio Miyagawa, Japan’s Malaysian companies are fruitful relationship with lead when it comes to visited Japan and held key Chamber of Trade and ambassador to Malaysia. well-placed to service modern Japan, which goes transportation of halal NIPPON EXPRESS talks with Japanese Prime Industry in Malaysia, It is a task in which many the needs of the Japanese back 60 years, can serve as products at a time when A Nippon Express truck in Putrajaya, the Federal Government Minister, Shinzo Abe. remarks: “There are more Japanese companies are and other world markets. a blueprint for continued preparations for the Administrative Centre of Malaysia A great number of than 1,400 Japanese involved. “Malaysian companies mutual success in the years Olympic Games in 2020 are Japanese companies have companies in this country, “Japanese technology has are uniquely positioned in to come.  underway and the city will With exports of other prod- Express remains on top of always been known for its be getting ready to welcome ucts from Malaysia facing the competition in Malaysia efficiency and cutting-edge its Muslim visitors,” said challenges, halal-certified and globally.  quality, so we are trying to Kosuke Tabuchi, managing transport will ensure Nippon www.nipponexpress.com strengthen our relationship director of Nippon Express with Japan,” said one of (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. The efficiency the biggest promoters of “As this is a fundamen- This (MS2400:1 “halal logistics”) certification is and rapid growth relations between Japan tal requirement for Muslim and Malaysia — Azman countries such as Malay- crucial for our continuous success as it gives us of Malaysia must Hashim, president of the sia, it can also be extended Malaysia Japan Economic to countries where Muslims the lead when it comes to transportation of halal go hand in hand Association (MAJECA) are not the majority and yet products at a time when preparations for the Tokyo with improved IT and chairman of the make up a significant part AmBank Group. of visitors and population,” Olympic Games in 2020 are underway and the infrastructure.” To further strengthen said Tabuchi. He adds that this bilateral relationship, the hygienic practices and city will be getting ready to welcome its Muslim the Malaysian government quality systems required by is promoting scholarships WER the “halal logistics” certi- visitors.” for exchange students In an interview with World Eye Reports correspondents, Malaysia’s fication can also serve as a — MAKIO MIYAGAWA between the two countries Second Finance Minister, Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani discusses his guarantee for higher quality — KOSUKE TABUCHI Managing Director of Nippon Express (Malaysia) Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia EMBASSY IN MALAYSIA JAPANESE that — in the words of the views on how to further strengthen the relationship between Malaysia products for all people, re- Second Finance Minister and Japan. gardless of religion.

Japanese engine for Malaysia’s industrial revolution Japan Perspective: Insight on Japanese investment in Malaysia from its corporate leaders

itsui has been ment intends to shift the doing business structure of its economy “Malaysia is a country with great technological potential. Our headquarters in Cyberjaya allow us to be close M in Malaysia for from conventional labor- to all that technology and, in addition, with our technology, cloud-base and data protection, we can help these more than 50 years. It intensive industries to businesses grow with security and confidence offered by NTT Communications.” considers this country value-added production; a key component of its aiming to become a mem- — KEN DEGUCHI business in Southeast ber of the developed na- President/CEO, NTT MSC Asia. tions by 2020. We are a “We established our key player in the coun- Kuala Lumpur branch try’s industrial revolu- “From JVCKENWOOD, we want to improve the experience of drivers. Therefore, we intend to create a new soon after the founda- tion.” tion of Malaysia, and has been invest- system using Japanese technology that characterizes us. Thanks to our technology and new tools emerging, we have been expand- ing heavily in health care JVCKENWOOD is improving the customer experience.” ing our activities in line in Malaysia. It is also — NOBUHIKO KOBAYASHI MITSUI with the development of strongly developing new this country and follow- business opportunities Managing Director, JVCKENWOOD Malaysia We are very honored to be able to contribute further to ing Malaysia’s national such as the “smart city” the development of Malaysia. We promise to reinforce plans,” said Toshihiko project, an ambitious re- Todokoro, country chair- gional development proj- “Technological advancements in digital and cloud printing will make us the preferred business solution in Malaysia.” a ‘Win-Win-Win’ relationship between Malaysia, the man of Mi tsui and Co. ect in the city’s Iskandar Malaysian people and Japan.” (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd. area. — YOSHIO HANADA Kuala Lum pur Branch. Moreover, it has par- President, Fuji Xerox Malaysia — TOSHIHIKO TODOKORO Mitsui brought Japa- ticipated in the IPP (inde- Country Chairman of Mitsui and Co. (Asia Pacific) Kuala Lumpur Branch nese high-tech savvy pendent power producers) to multiple parts of the project as the first foreign “For 40 years we have been the pioneer in commercial trucks and buses. We were the first to introduce engines with Euro3 country’s economy — investor in this business from the satellite building field. The operation will emission standards for light commercial vehicles. Our products are designed to be equipped with various safety features. of Kuala Lumpur Interna- enable Mitsui to supply Our customer-oriented activities, including safety and eco-driving, will ensure our leading position in the country.” tional Airport to freeway approximately 10 percent improvements and dou- of the electricity demand — KEN IWAMOTO ble-track railroads. It has in peninsular Malaysia, Managing Director, Sales Malaysia

Mitsui has been investing “With 20 companies and more than 12,000 employees, Malaysia contributed 1.2 percent of the total heavily in health care in Malaysian GDP in fiscal 2015.” Malaysia. It is also strongly — CHENG CHEE CHUNG Managing Director, Panasonic Malaysia developing new business

opportunities such as the “smart “We are anticipating steady growth in the next year and Malaysia will be ready to meet the demanding needs of city” project, an ambitious the consumer products’ market in Malaysia.” regional development project in — SATORU ARAI Managing Director, Sony Malaysia the city’s Iskandar area.

also invested (through a starting in 2019. “We have been catering to the automotive industry for more than 30 years. Now we are eyeing expansion in more joint venture) in Gas Ma- “We are very honored sectors with the assistance of Sanden Japan.” laysia to provide city gas to be able to contribute for various industries, further to the develop- — TAKAHIRO OTSUKI and also in Perodua, the ment of Malaysia,” To- Managing Director, Sanden Air Conditioning (Malaysia) second-largest national dokoro concluded. “We automobile maker in Ma- promise to reinforce a laysia, which has now “Win-Win-Win” relation- “Mitsubishi Corp. is a key player in maintaining and developing the trade and economic partnership between achieved more than one- ship between Malaysia, Malaysia and Japan.” third of the domestic mar- the Malaysian people and ket share. Japan.”  — KENJI OHTA Todokoro pointed out: www.mitsui.com/ap/en/ Chief Executive, Mitsubishi Corp. Malaysia “The Malaysian govern- index.html

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Malaysia www.worldeyereports.com 21st-century corporation straddles vital transport and communications gateway for world trade

ohor Corporation (JCorp) portant partner in the supply of is the southern Malaysian halal food, as preparations for J state’s largest group, and one the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gain of the country’s most diversified momentum and the organizers businesses. It has also been at the aim to meet growing demand forefront of Malaysia’s economic from both Muslim visitors and and social development for half residents. a century, through its involve- “We have identified and rec- ment in the key growth sectors ognized both short and mid-term of palm oil plantations, property opportunities related to this,” development, specialized health explained Dato’ Kamaruzza- care, quick-service restaurants man. “Looking east to Japan and and offshore support for the oil acknowledging its position at and gas industry. the forefront of technological Some of the group’s compo- advancements in food science, nent companies — Kulim (palm JCorp is constantly on the look- oil), QSR (quick-service restau- out for engineering advances rants), KPJ Healthcare (health, that enhance food production medical tourism, geriatric care and also increase the quality and and wellness centers), Al-Aqar standards we can offer consum- and As-Salam (real estate invest- ers. In fact, we welcome any col- ment trusts) and EA Technique laboration with Japanese compa- (oil and gas) — are among Ma- nies in relation to this.” laysia’s largest in their respec- In health care, KPJ Healthcare tive sectors. Berhad — Malaysia’s largest “We focus on three core activi- specialized health care provider ties — business, economic de- — is collaborating with two of velopment and corporate social Japan’s leading trading companies: JCORP responsibility (CSR) — and we JCORP Mitsubishi Corp. and . Port, an alternative southern gateway into Malaysia are not only looking into revenue We focus on three core activities — business, For example, it is partnering generation, but also supporting with the latter to explore the dustrial Park (Data Centre Hub) across , with an accumu- he noted. “With this, JCorp has society and the economy of our economic development and corporate social possibility of opening an and . lated investment value of nearly successfully created more than country. New policies and ini- oncology center in JCorp’s hospital “To date, JCorp owns and has $15 billion, brought in by lo- 190,000 jobs for the region.”  tiatives are introduced toward responsibility — and we are not only looking into in Jakarta — RS Medica Bumi developed 31 industrial parks cal and international players,” www.jcorp.com.my enabling innovation to catalyze Serpong Damai. new wealth generation, cast so- revenue generation, but also supporting society and Lastly, JCorp offers industrial cioeconomic impact and attain the economy of our country.” land for Japanese investors, as sustainability,” said Dato’ Kama- well as project management and ruzzaman Abu Kassim, president — DATO’ KAMARUZZAMAN ABU KASSIM marketing services for Japanese and chief executive of JCorp. President and Chief Executive of (JCorp) companies. For Johor state’s own econom- ic development, JCorp is an in- Ideal investment partner in dispensable player. It is currently Pengerang Integrated Petroleum plained Dato’ Kamaruzzaman. strategic global location developing the Tanjung Langsat Complex spearheaded by Petro- Speaking of the future of Its location adjacent to one of Port as an alternative southern nas. JCorp, he said: “We have identi- the world’s most-developed and gateway into Malaysia, as well as Meanwhile, its corporate so- fied new economic areas to com- economically advanced nations developing and managing indus- cial responsibility thrust is main- plement existing business clus- — Singapore — gives JCorp an trial parks. JCorp is also heading tained through helping to bridge ters. These include information unbeatable perch from which to the development of the Ibrahim societal and socioeconomic gaps and communications technology, conduct trade and manufactur- International Business District in in the country. “We believe in renewable energy, ecotourism ing. Currently, over 80 Japanese , poised to be a key catalyzing sustainable develop- and integrated retail. There is companies have set up opera- financial and business district in ments through our CSR activi- also a need to inject more into tions in JCorp’s industrial land the heart of the city. ties, which include the provision our existing oil palm and health offerings. In terms of suburban and ru- of affordable homes to qualified care segments by venturing into Total investment value pertain- ral development in Johor, JCorp segments of society, entrepre- downstream operations, as well ing to Japanese companies in Jo- is developing designated areas neurial development, provid- as diagnostics and preventive hor in 2015 was more than $150 for the furniture industry and ing micro-financing for starting medicine.” million. Dato’ Kamaruzzaman operating the Pengerang Local businesses, the preservation of points out that there is even more Council, in addition to providing natural ecosystems, educational JCorp looks east readily available industrial land strategic development support support, promoting sporting ac- With regard to business with in Tanjung Langsat Industrial JCORP through the construction of the tivities and many others,” ex- Japan, JCorp is becoming an im- Complex, Zone 5, Sedenak In- Komtar JBCC shopping mall attracts 7 million visitors annually.

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