4 The Japan Times Wednesday, August 31, 2016 National Day Friendly and strategic partners

D ato’ Ahmad Izlan Idris Last year, both our prime Malaysia. made Malaysia their invest- ABSM AS ADOR OF MALAYSIA ministers agreed to elevate our Japan has consistently ment destination of choice. bilateral relationship to a “stra- ranked among Malaysia’s big- Our strategic location, sup- On the occa- tegic partnership.” This is a gest trading and investment ported by the government’s sion of the manifestation of the commit- partners. Last year, Japan was ongoing commitment to pur- National Day ment and determination by Malaysia’s fourth-largest trad- suing pro-business and prag- of Malaysia both leaders to further en- ing partner with total trade val- matic policies have continued on Aug. 31, I hance the strong bilateral re- ued at $32.78 billion. In this to be the catalyst in making have the great lationship, as well as year’s January to June period, Malaysia an attractive destina- honor to con- recognizing the deepening of Malaysia’s total trade with tion for global businesses to set vey my heart- relations that we have been en- Japan was $14.3 billion. up their regional hubs. felt greetings joying over the years of our re- Japan continues to be Malaysia’s commitment to to Their Im- lations. among Malaysia’s largest be a major trading partner is perial Majesties Emperor Aki- sources of foreign direct invest- also manifested in our com- hito and Empress Michiko, the Economy ment in the manufacturing mitment to ratify the Trans- Imperial family, Prime Minis- For many years, the focus of sector. From March 1980 to Pacific Partnership (TPP) free ter Shinzo Abe, the govern- the relations between Malaysia March 2016, a total of 3,375 trade pact this year. The agree- ment and the friendly people and Japan has been concen- manufacturing projects with ment will allow us to continue of Japan. trated on economic coopera- Japanese interests, involving to be an integral part of the This year marks the 59th An- Prime Minister of Malaysia tion. Japan has contributed total investment of $32.99 bil- deepening economic integra- niversary of our National Day Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun significantly to the economic lion, have been approved in tion that is taking place within and it is also the 59th anniver- Abdul Razak and infrastructure develop- Malaysia. the Asia Pacific region. It will sary of diplomatic relations be- ment of Malaysia. Japan is The strong presence of Japa- also enable us to engage in a tween Malaysia and Japan. Our tive links particularly in trade, among the first countries to in- nese companies in Malaysia more concrete way with im- relations have grown steadily infrastructure development, vest heavily in Malaysia, bring- shows that Malaysia remains portant trading partners such and substantively over the science and technology, edu- ing along technology and an attractive investment desti- as Japan. It will also help us es- years. Our close cooperation is cation, as well as people-to- expertise that have helped spur nation. Close to 1,500 Japa- tablish deep linkages in the re- manifested in various substan- people exchanges. the economic development of nese-related companies have gional and global supply chains. TheT PP will expand The Petronas Twin Towers are the most prominent landmark in . I toUR SM MALAYSIA our market access opportuni- ties, enhance our competitive transfers, effective collabora- study in Japan, something that ute constructively to the work Marking nearly 40 years of prosperous economic ties advantage and build investor tions in R&D and successful has been part and parcel of the of the council in the mainte- confidence in our country. business joint ventures. LEP. As for tourism, the trend nance of international peace Mikio Sasaki nomic Association (MAJECA), arranged the year. The Trans-Pacific Partnership has been encouraging. More and security. We are also work- Pre sident, The Japan-Malaysia Economic meetings with high-ranking govern- free trade agreement was signed the Look East Policy Human ties are visiting Japan ing closely with Japan, also a Association ment officials from both countries and following February. Malaysia aspired to learn and Malaysia and Japan maintain and the number has increased non-permanent member of held investment seminars. In June, we held the 34th JAMECA- emulate Japan’s path to eco- strong people-to-people and by 22.4 percent in 2015. The the UNSC and a strategic part- O n behalf of the mem- Malaysia’s real gross domestic MAJECA Joint Conference, the main nomic development, and more cultural ties. People-to-people number of Japanese who have ner in our efforts to promote bers of the Japan-Ma- product grew by 5 percent in 2015 theme of which was to strengthen eco- specifically, its business ethics exchanges have been promot- joined the Malaysia My Second regional stability and peaceful laysia Economic and, driven largely by demand at nomic collaboration. The conference and techniques. Hence the ed through various programs Home (MM2H) program have resolution of issues in the re- Association (JAME- home, its economy is expected to was productive and highly engaging Look East Policy (LEP) became such as the Japan-East Asia also been favorable. All of gion. CA), I would like to grow another 4 to 4.5 percent this and those attending included Malaysian a significant symbol and is still N etwork of Exchange for Stu- these factors have contributed cordially offer my year. Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri recognized as the cornerstone dents and Youths Programme further to the deepening of our Conclusion congratulations on the More and more Japanese enterprises , special envoy of of Malaysia-Japan relations. and the Ship for Southeast relations. On this special occasion, I wish 59th anniversary of are moving into Malaysia, capturing the prime minister in charge of East Thirty-three years after the A sian Youth programs. Various to reiterate that Malaysia will the Independence of some of the country’s growth in manu- Asia Tiong King Sing, ambassadors LEP was launched, more than private sector-led youth and Malaysia and the U.N. continue to work closely with Malaysia. facturing, food, retail and services. from both our countries and many 15,000 Malaysian citizens have leadership program such as Malaysia is currently a non- the Japanese government, par- JAMECA was established in 1977 Hopes are high that Japanese involve- guest speakers. benefited from the policy. Rid- the International Association permanent member of the liamentarians, industry play- with the endorsement of both of our ment will also add momentum to high- By promoting such activities, I am ing on the success of this poli- of Traffic andS afety Sciences U .N. Security Council (UNSC) ers, academia and other prime ministers. In the almost 40 years speed railway and other infrastructure confident that AJ MECA will continue to cy, our two governments have Forum have also contributed for the 2015-2016 term and we institutions to further advance since then, JAMECA has sought to projects. help deepen mutual understanding and decided to embark on the sec- tremendously in people-to- have held the presidency of the our friendship and coopera- deepen understanding and develop Our countries have begun making ex- boost our respective economies, hope- ond wave of the policy. LEP 2.0 people contact between Ma- council for the second time tion for the mutual benefits of friendly relations between our business cellent progress on bilateral economic fully bringing our countries even closer will build on the foundation of laysia and Japan. this month. During our presi- our countries. As we approach communities and promote trade, in- frameworks as well. Thanks to Malay- together. human capital development Many Malaysian students dency, we continue to high- the 60th anniversary of our vestment, tourism and cultural ex- sia’s strong leadership as the 2015 As- Let me conclude by once again con- and take a more comprehen- have benefited from the provi- light the peaceful resolution of diplomatic relations next year, change. To those ends, we have sociation of Southeast Asian Nations gratulating Malaysia on its anniversary sive approach to enhance our sion of scholarships by the Jap- conflict through moderation, I look forward to more mutu- conducted joint conferences with our (ASEAN) chair, the ASEAN Economic and wishing it a very productive and bilateral relationship. The sec- anese government. Likewise, the protection of civilians and ally beneficial cooperation and counterpart, the Malaysia-Japan Eco- Community was launched at the end of prosperous future. ond iteration of the policy will the Malaysian government has the rule of law. As a member of exciting times ahead in our bi- result in more technology continuously sent students to the council, we seek to contrib- lateral relations.

Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations on the 59th Anniversary on the 59th Anniversary on the 59th Anniversary of of the Independence the Independence of Malaysia of the Independence of Malaysia of Malaysia

Engineering for the Quality of Human Life Minatomirai Grand Central Tower President: Mikio Sasaki 4-6-2, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku c/o The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yokohama 220-8765, Japan 2-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan http://www.chiyoda-corp.com/en The state of is famous for giant leatherback sea http://www.jgc.com/ turtles. I toUR SM MALAYSIA

Congratulations Congratulations Congratulations on the 59th Anniversary 59th of the Independence of Malaysia on the 59th Anniversary on the 59th Anniversary of the Independence of the Independence of Malaysia JAPAN MALAYSIA LNG CO., LTD. of Malaysia NISSEKI YOKOHAMA BUILDING 17F, 1-1-8 SAKURAGI-CHO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA 231-0062 TEL: (045) 683-1330 FAX: (045) 680-2265

MISC LNG LIAISON OFFICE JAPAN QUEEN’S TOWER A 9F, 2-3-1 MINATOMIRAI, NISHI-KU, YOKOHAMA, 220-6009 TEL: (045) 680-2280 FAX: (045) 680-2284 Lot 135, Gebeng Industrial Estate P.O. Box 33, 26080 Balok, Kuantan, , Malaysia

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