Japanese Firms Keen On Partnerships With Malaysia

japan flagKUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) — Japanese companies are keen to venture into and have partnerships with Malaysia, particularly in the halal industry, said Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry Malaysia (JACTIM).Its president, Toshiro Okamoto, said the growing demand for halal products worldwide, coupled with Malaysia’s reputation as a Muslim country in issuing halal certificates, had influenced them to seek potential partners here.

JACTIM, he said, had to date received over 100 inquiries.

“A company that manages to secure a halal certificate from Malaysia can easily be approved in other Muslim countries because the level of halal industry in the country is high,” he told reporters after announcing the JACTIM and Japan External Trade Organisation’s (Jetro) 2015 Joint Survey here today.

Okamoto said the next world’s prestigious game, Olympics 2020, which would see Tokyo as the host, would also provide tremendous opportunities for the halal industry, due to the massive inbound tourists to the country, including the Muslims.

He said dialogues with the Malaysian ministries, such as the International Trade and Industry as well as Finance, had been held to address this agenda.

On the survey, Jetro Kuala Lumpur managing director, Akira Kajita, said 65.9 per cent of the 172 respondent Japanese companies in Malaysia, said the most attractive aspect of investment in the country was it being “Pro-Japanese”.

“They are positive with business environment here and Malaysia’s political stability gains most appreciation from the companies,” he said.

The survey, conducted from Jan 22 to March 5 this year, also showed that 56.4 per cent respondents saw the necessity of improvement in the public transportation system.

Almost 50 per cent of the companies were considering expansion in Malaysia, while 73.4 per cent believed the wages should be increased along with the economic growth.

— BERNAMA