We would like to wish all our French members, friends and connections a Happy Bastille Day!

Bonne Fête Nationale!

The Commission is today proposing measures to make freight transport more efficient and more sustainable, by improving rail infrastructure management, offering stronger incentives for low-emission lorries, and better information on freight transport greenhouse gas emissions. The aim is to increase efficiency within the sector, helping it to contribute to the target of cutting transport emissions by 90% by 2050, as set out in the European Green Deal, while allowing the EU single market to continue growing.

More efficient use of rail capacity

Rail tracks are expensive to build and, in the EU, increasingly congested. The proposed Regulation will optimise their use, improve cross-border coordination, increase punctuality and reliability, and ultimately attract more freight companies to rail. Passengers will benefit from additional rail services as the capacity of the network will be better used, impacting positively the cross-border services by enabling more frequent connections and earlier ticket booking, among others.

Current rules on capacity management are decided annually, nationally and manually. This does not favour cross-border traffic (around 50% of rail freight crosses borders); the fractured approach leads to delays at borders. This, in turn, hinders the functioning of the Single Market. Delays due to congestion caused by uncoordinated maintenance work are also common.

EUROCHAM Malaysia was invited to attend the Closed-Door Industry Engagement Session hosted organised by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

We join industry leaders and chambers of commerce in a productive Closed-Door Industry Engagement Session hosted by MDEC. Together, we collaborate with digital economy industry players to explore the potential of reduced tax rates, investment tax allowance (ITA), and expansion initiatives. A united front for the future of Malaysia's digital industry!

We thank MDEC for extending their invitation to EUROCHAM Malaysia to be a part of this knowledgeable event. It was a great engagement, and we eagerly anticipate future opportunities to further strengthen and bolster alliances, paving the way for a prosperous EU-Malaysia partnership.

Malaysia has emerged as a dynamic hub for technology and innovation, boasting a vibrant start-up ecosystem and an inspiring entrepreneurial spirit, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the Malaysian government recognises the pivotal role of technology in driving economic growth and has taken significant steps to cultivate a favourable environment for tech investments and entrepreneurs, in order to accelerate the digital economy.

“The government has also placed great emphasis on the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy, which has progressively increased its share of the national economy,” he said in his speech at the launch of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)’s Horizon — Digital Economy Publication 2022, here on Monday (July 10).

Fahmi said the digital economy stands as one of Malaysia’s primary economic pillars, contributing 23.2% to its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021, and the figure is projected to rise to 25.5% by 2025.

Join us at the Responsible Business Exhibition and Multi-Stakeholder Conference, co-organised by Thomson Reuters Foundation and EUROCHAM Malaysia, as we navigate the future of responsible business practices in the face of global legislation. Discover the tools and services that will empower your business to comply with emerging regulations and stay competitive in the international market.

In an era of evolving global legislation, including significant directives such as the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD), Reporting Directives (CSRD), and the German Supply Chain Act, businesses must adapt and thrive. The Responsible Business Exhibition is curated to address these challenges head-on and provide the necessary tools and services for companies to advance their responsible business practices, with a particular focus on ethical recruitment.

Be prepared to gain invaluable insights during the event's opening session, where we will dive deep into the implications of these new global regulations for businesses in Malaysia. Our expert speakers will shed light on the legal frameworks underpinning these regulations, empowering you with practical steps to ensure compliance while maintaining a competitive edge in the international market.

Malaysia has become a global leader in 5G connectivity with fast and reliable networks, according to the most recent benchmarking study "Benchmarking the Global 5G Experience - June 2023” by Opensignal, a website specialising in mobile network performance measurement and analysis.

Data points in the report show that Malaysia has achieved outstanding results in implementing and delivering a great 5G experience for consumers.

The Opensignal research shows that Malaysia's 5G network delivers excellent speed and reliability, outperforming many industrialised nations with an average 5G download speed of 322.7 megabits per second (Mbps).

Malaysia is ranked fourth for average 5G download speed behind South Korea (432.5 Mbps), Singapore (376.8 Mbps), and Brazil (346.4 Mbps).

In total, there are only seven markets where average 5G speeds are above 300 Mbps.