Consul-General Hosts Discussion with Local Business Organisations
2026/9/23
On September 23rd, Mr. Shinya Machida, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, held discussions with Mr. Lim Huck Aik, First Vice Chairman of the Northern Branch of the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Calvin Kwan, Chairman of the Northern Region of the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia, and Mr. Lucas Tan, Organising Chairman of Penang Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence Conference and Exhibition 2026, together with representatives of JETRO Kuala Lumpur Office who were visiting Penang.
The participants exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including the investment and business environment in Penang and northern Malaysia, digitalisation and human resource development among small and medium-sized enterprises, advanced industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and support for start-ups. The representatives of the local business organisations also introduced their respective activities, initiatives undertaken by their member companies, and their views on the challenges and prospects for future industrial development, while expressing their interest in further strengthening exchanges with Japanese companies and related organisations.
The participants also discussed various ideas that could lead to concrete future cooperation, including collaboration between Japanese and local companies, mutual participation in exhibitions and business exchange programmes, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises through digitalisation and new technologies. Mr. Machida expressed his hope that further expanding contacts between Japanese companies and organisations and the many technologically capable and growing companies in Penang and northern Malaysia would lead to new forms of cooperation and business opportunities.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Penang will continue to deepen cooperation with local business organisations and companies, as well as Japanese government-related organisations and companies, with a view to further expanding economic and business exchanges between Japan and Malaysia and developing concrete areas of cooperation.
The participants exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including the investment and business environment in Penang and northern Malaysia, digitalisation and human resource development among small and medium-sized enterprises, advanced industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and support for start-ups. The representatives of the local business organisations also introduced their respective activities, initiatives undertaken by their member companies, and their views on the challenges and prospects for future industrial development, while expressing their interest in further strengthening exchanges with Japanese companies and related organisations.
The participants also discussed various ideas that could lead to concrete future cooperation, including collaboration between Japanese and local companies, mutual participation in exhibitions and business exchange programmes, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises through digitalisation and new technologies. Mr. Machida expressed his hope that further expanding contacts between Japanese companies and organisations and the many technologically capable and growing companies in Penang and northern Malaysia would lead to new forms of cooperation and business opportunities.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Penang will continue to deepen cooperation with local business organisations and companies, as well as Japanese government-related organisations and companies, with a view to further expanding economic and business exchanges between Japan and Malaysia and developing concrete areas of cooperation.