A total of 44 Japanese automotive vendors and trading companies attended a business matchmaking session with 25 Malaysian automotive vendors held in Tsu City, Mei Prefecture yesterday. The event was hosted by Hyakugo Bank of Japan.
The event which was organised by the Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI), assisted by the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Japan Trade Organisation (JETRO) and supported by Perodua.
The potential collaboration between these companies include strategic partnership and/ or technical assistance in the areas of plastic parts, metal parts, tools, electrical parts and after-market parts.
The event was also attended by Hyakugo Bank’s Chairman Mr Tsuyoshi Ueda, Perodua President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk (Dr) Aminar Rashid Salleh, MAI’s Chief Operating Officer, Encik Nizma Mohd Nazar and MIDA Director, Tokyo office, Encik Zahirul Ishak.
He said that Japan has long been a close trading partner to Malaysia. In terms of trade of automotive products, Japan was Malaysia’s second largest trading partner, with two-way trade amounting to RM6.8 billion in 2015.
Datuk Aminar said that this event is rather historic moment for the Malaysian automotive industry in general and for Perodua in particular, as all the 25 Malaysian vendors participating are the best in their respective fields and are now on the verge or going regional, if not global.
Datuk Aminar said that this business matching session is also a continuation of the “Look East” Policy, which began in 1981 as well as an opportunity to take advantage of the free trade agreement between Malaysia and Japan.
He further explained that aside from the economic potential growth in the ASEAN region, Malaysia also has a lot of potential as the country’s economic growth is expected to grow between 4.5% and 4.7% in 2017.
