The European Commission has today issued the first NextGenerationEU green bond, thus raising €12 billion to be used exclusively for green and sustainable investments across the EU. This represents the world's largest green bond issuance ever. With NextGenerationEU green bonds, the EU is set to become the world's largest green bond issuer by far, providing a significant boost to sustainable finance markets as well as funding a greener EU recovery from the pandemic. With the strong oversubscription rate and excellent pricing conditions today's issuance represents a promising start to the NextGenerationEU green bond programme of up to €250 billion by end-2026.

The 15-year bond due on 4 February 2037 was more than 11 times oversubscribed, with books exceeding €135 billion. A wide range of investors expressed interest in the bond.

Commissioner in charge of Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, said:”Today's issuance is a strong start for the NextGenerationEU green bond programme. Set to turn the EU into the world's biggest green bond issuer, it is a powerful signal of the EU's commitment to sustainability. Our future is green and it is extremely important that we seize the opportunity to clearly show to investors that their funds will be used to finance a sustainable European recovery.”

Here are the highlights of the latest updated SOPs for Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP):

Areas Involved:

KELANTAN, PERAK, PULAU PINANG, SABAH, JOHOR AND KEDAH.

*For Sabah, please refer to the Sabah National Recovery Plan - Sabah Phase 2 SOP .

**For areas enforced under EMCO, the EMCO SOP in the areas is effective until the expiry

date of the EMCO.

Effective Period:

Starting August 20, 2021 (from 12.01 am)

**For Kedah, starting on 1 October 2021 (from 12.01 am)

EUROCHAM Malaysia together with The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) co-chaired the first EU-MY FTA Taskforce Meeting today.

During the meeting, Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Deputy Secretary-General (Investment) and Ms. Kavitha Mathuvay, Director, Bilateral Economic, and Trade Relations Division, representatives from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) presented on the current status of the FTA negotiation as well as Economic Relations between EU and Malaysia.

We here at EUROCHAM Malaysia welcome this mission to engage further with European Nations and partners to encourage strong investment and trade relations and thereby supporting the Economic Recovery in Malaysia and Europe alike.

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has issued a media release regarding MITI and Its Agencies to Boost Awareness on Malaysia as A Trade and Investment Hub for European Businesses. Media release as follows:

Building on the successful Trade and Investment Mission (TIM) undertaken in the first half of the year, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) will continue its key responsibilities of promoting Malaysia as the preferred investment destination and trading partner of choice. Towards this end, YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade and Industry along with senior officials of MITI just arrived in Frankfurt, Germany to kick-off the TIM to the Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of France and the United Kingdom (UK). The TIM will take place from 13 to 21 October 2021, in the efforts to further strengthen the bilateral economic relations between Malaysia and European economic powerhouses.

KPJ Healthcare Berhad, a fellow member of EUROCHAM Malaysia, is pleased to extend a special promotion campaign in conjunction with Pink October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month to all EUROCHAM Malaysia members.

Promo packages include Mammogram 3D/2D Screening Package, Ultrasound Screening Package, and Mammogram and Ultrasound Screening Package! This promotion is throughout the whole month of Pink October, book your appointment with KPJ Healthcare Berhad today!