Malaysia's exports accelerated further to a record high in September, prompting some research houses to upgrade their growth projection this year.

The country's exports maintained above RM100 billion for the fourth time this year, having grown 24.7 per cent to RM110.83 billion last month, according to the Malaysian External Trade Corp (Matrade).

The overall trade grew 25.5 per cent to RM195.54 billion in September from RM155.85 billion recorded in the same period a year ago, Matrade said.

For the first nine months, Malaysia's trade expanded 23.2 per cent to RM1.6 trillion from RM1.3 trillion a year ago.

Exports grew 24.9 per cent to RM889.32 billion, imports rose 21.1 per cent to RM712.99 billion and trade surplus surged 43.1 per cent to RM176.33 billion.

MIDF Research said the value of total exports rising to a record high in September, driven by stronger external demand for commodity products such as palm oil and palm oil-based products, petroleum products, and manufactures of metal.

A media statement has been issued by The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) regarding MyTravelPass Exemption for Malaysia Citizens– media statement as follows:

MyTravelPass Exemption for The Admission of Foreign Citizens Who Have a Long-Term Visit Pass to Malaysia

The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) informed that in line with the decision of the Pandemic Management Special Committee Meeting No. 60 of 2021 (Series 22) which was held on 22 October 2021, the category of foreign nationals holding Long Term Visit Pass in Malaysia is allowed to enter Malaysia without having to obtain approval from the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) through the MyTravelPass (MTP) /MyEntry system provided you have a valid pass. Accordingly, the following is a list of Long-Term Visit Passes that are allowed to enter Malaysia without having to apply through MTP/ MyEntry:

We had a very delightful virtual introductory meet-up session with the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC). It was a great session indeed to get to know our friends from the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce.

Together with Mr. Loo Kok Seong, Vice President of Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and team, we set to build and upkeep a network for the benefit of our members and partners. We look forward to more meet-ups like this, as we continue to bolster alliances for a better partnership in Malaysia.

Today, the Commission adopted its 2022 Work Programme, setting out the next steps in its bold and transformative agenda towards a post-COVID-19 Europe that is greener, fairer, more digital and more resilient. This Commission Work Programme contains 42 new policy initiatives across all six headline ambitions of President von der Leyen's Political Guidelines, building on her 2021 State of the Union speech. It also reflects the lessons learnt from the unprecedented crisis caused by the pandemic, while paying particular attention to our young generation thanks to the proposed European Year of Youth 2022.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “The past year has proven what challenges we can deal with and what we can achieve for European citizens when we act united. We must continue in the same spirit next year, for example to implement our policies for climate neutrality in Europe by 2050, to shape our digital future, to strengthen our unique social market economy and to defend our values and our interests, at home and abroad. The combined power of the EU's long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, which together make €2.018 trillion will help to build a better and more modern Europe.”

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President in charge of Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, said: “It is not enough just to recover from a crisis of this magnitude. Rather, we need to emerge stronger and more resilient. In that spirit, we put forward our work programme for 2022. It underlines our determination to bounce forward from the pandemic, while seizing the opportunities offered by the twin green and digital transitions. I now hope for a swift agreement with the European Parliament and the Council on key legislative proposals so that we can collectively deliver for our citizens, businesses and stakeholders.”

In support of the EU-ASEAN Business Council as a supporting partner, EUROCHAM Malaysia would like to invite our members to participate in the upcoming webinar by the EU-ASEAN Business Council regarding ASEAN’s Road to Recovery Series: The Future of Travel that will be held on Tuesday, 2 November 2021, 4 pm (SGT).

ASEAN countries continue to battle a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, fuelled by the outbreak of the Delta variant and made worse by the uneven rollout and take-up rate of vaccinations. The region risks falling behind others, as prolonged travel bans and retightened lockdown measures threaten to delay economic recovery. The IMF continues to downgrade its growth forecast for ASEAN’s five largest economies – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam – projecting a 0.6-point drop for this year.