The Council of the European Union has shared the facts and figures about EU-ASEAN relations during the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit 2022. Facts and figures are as follows:

Today, the European Union and Malaysia signed the EU-Malaysia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in Brussels.

This agreement will enhance the political dialogue on issues of global concern and will give more scope for mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide number of policy areas, including the environment, energy, climate change, transport, trade, employment and social affairs, human rights, agriculture, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, the fight against organised crime and migration.

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said: "The European Union and Malaysia are further strengthening their ties to work more closely together. The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement consolidates existing areas of cooperation and engagement and deepens and diversifies relations further in areas of mutual interest."

The signing ceremony marks the successful closure of negotiations that started in October 2010. The Agreement was initialled on 6 April 2016 by the chief negotiators of the European Union and Malaysia, at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia in Putrajaya.

The Council of the European Union has released a Joint Leaders’ Statement during the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit 2022. The joint leaders’ statement is as follows:

PP 1 - WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU), gathered on 14 December 2022 in Brussels, Belgium, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of EU-ASEAN Dialogue Relations at the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit;

PP 2 - NOTING the decision of the 23rd EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 2020 to elevate the EU-ASEAN Dialogue Relations to a Strategic Partnership;

PP 3 - WELCOMING the adoption of the Plan of Action to Implement the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership (2023-2027) at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) +1 with the EU held on 4 August 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia;

The Head of EUROCHAM Malaysia Automotive Sector Committee, Mr. Pierre Borchet, and EUROCHAM Malaysia’s team is pleased to have received a warm welcome from the Selangor and Federal Territory Engineering and Motor Parts Traders’ Association Malaysia (EMPTA) team which includes Mr. Kau Peng Yap (Chairman), Mr. Kenneth Cheng Yew Kheong (Secretary General), Mr. Fong Kok Fu (Assistant Treasurer), Mr. Chai Chee Fatt (Chief Administrative Officer), and Ms. Elsie Hong (Committee Member).

Both EUROCHAM Malaysia and EMPTA had a fruitful and productive discussion on possible areas of cooperation, joint advocacy, and other issues and topics that is affecting the automotive industry.

We thank EMPTA for the engagement and we look forward to more similar meetings in the future.

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) released the following media release titled Investors Show Growing Confidence in Malaysia - Malaysia Attracted RM193.7 Billion (USD41.7 Billion) of Approved Investments In January - September 2022 as well as an attached infographic. Media release and infographic are as follows:

• Malaysia attracted RM193.7 billion (USD41.7 billion) of approved investments in services (RM113.3 billion or USD24.4 billion), manufacturing (RM64.9 billion or USD14 billion), and primary sectors (RM15.5 billion or USD3.3 billion), an increase of 2.5 per cent as compared to the same period in 2021.
• Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) remained the major contributor to the total approved investments at 67.5 per cent or RM130.7 billion (USD 28.1 billion), an increase of 15 per cent as compared to the same period last year, while Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) contributed 32.5 per cent or RM63 billion (USD13.6 billion).
• The People's Republic of China (PRC) dominated foreign investments totalling RM49.2 billion (USD10.6 billion).

Malaysia remains a top investment destination among global investors and a hotspot for business expansion. Investors continue to show confidence to invest in Malaysia as the new premier leadership is focused on strengthening the country's economic growth and retain Malaysia's reputation as a stable investment destination.

On behalf of our fellow member The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), we would like to share regarding the annual iFest event.

Excitement was in the air during The International School of Kuala Lumpur’s (ISKL) annual iFest event that was organized by the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). There were many cultural activities on the day, such as a flag parade and performances that left audiences in awe.

At the canteen, visitors get to sample mouth-watering cuisines from around the world. While over at The Jungle, children went on the bouncy inflatables, tried their hand at traditional games like congkak, and had a go at the Haunted House. Visitors could also shop for items at the iFest marketplace.