Building Bridges: Strengthening U.S.–Malaysia Economic Synergies through US-ABC - Spotlight Greater KL

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Building Bridges: Strengthening U.S.–Malaysia Economic Synergies through USABC

Chief Representative of Malaysia,
US - ASEAN Business Council

1. Can you provide an overview of US-ABC – its mission, objectives, and key focus areas?

For over four decades, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) has been a trusted advocate for advancing trade, investment, and sustainable growth across Southeast Asia and is the first U.S.-based organisation formally recognised in the ASEAN Charter. Representing more than 180 leading American companies, the Council’s mission is to promote mutually beneficial partnerships between the U.S. private sector and ASEAN economies. In Malaysia, USABC plays a pivotal role in connecting businesses with policymakers, academia, and local industry associations to foster resilience, inclusivity, and innovation.

2. Can you share any successful collaborations/partnerships/case studies between Malaysian and American businesses?

As Malaysia reaches the culmination of its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, USABC has been closely engaged throughout the year to align American business perspectives with the country’s economic priorities.

In May 2025, USABC organised its annual Malaysia Business Mission, bringing senior member representatives to engage directly with key ministries and agencies. The mission focused on advancing dialogues around the digital economy, healthcare, trade facilitation, and green growth, ensuring that U.S. private sector perspectives were aligned with Malaysia’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) and broader ASEAN agenda.

In July 2025, we co-launched a Whitepaper with the Social & Economic Research Initiative (SERI), Driving ASEAN Unity: Malaysia’s Vision for 2025, offering actionable recommendations to advance Malaysia’s PEDs. These focused on strengthening regional frameworks, scaling up green growth, and accelerating the digital economy.

USABC also led a delegation of U.S. companies to Johor–Singapore’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ), facilitating dialogue with federal and state authorities on investment opportunities, tariff resilience, and supply chain strategies. These initiatives underscore the Council’s role in supporting Malaysia’s national ambitions while reinforcing regional integration.

3. Are there any initiatives or programs led by US-ABC to promote bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and the United States?

Moving forward, we will be organising targeted workshops for SMEs and MSMEs. Smaller enterprises are not only vital for achieving inclusive growth but also for driving deeper integration into global value chains.

In this context, the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) provides an important opportunity. By building digital capacity, improving regulatory readiness, and enabling cross-border e-commerce participation, SMEs can fully benefit from ASEAN’s digital integration agenda and thrive in a DEFA-enabled economy.

4. From your observation, which high-potential sectors in Greater KL are drawing interest from American companies, especially in terms of innovation, talent access, and business ecosystem?

Greater KL has emerged as a prime destination for U.S. companies, driven by its innovation ecosystem, strong talent base, and supportive policies. Key sectors attracting interest include digital trade, cloud services, advanced manufacturing, preventive healthcare, and green technology. These align with both Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) and U.S. companies’ long-term strategies.

5. How does US-ABC envision the future of economic relations between Malaysia and the United States, and what strategic role does the chamber play in shaping this future?

The future of U.S.–Malaysia economic relations is poised for growth, underpinned by shared goals in digital transformation, supply chain resilience, and sustainability. Through its advocacy, technical assistance, and partnership-building, USABC is committed to ensuring that American businesses contribute meaningfully to Malaysia’s aspirations while strengthening the broader ASEAN-U.S. relationship.

6. Are there any upcoming events or initiatives organised by US-ABC to foster networking or collaboration opportunities between Malaysian and American businesses?

Upcoming initiatives include an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) workshop and a cybersecurity forum. As Malaysia and ASEAN grapple with the realities of an ageing population, USABC will host a forum contributing to the dialogue on sustainable healthcare systems, preventive care, and workforce resilience.

We’re also energized by the upcoming U.S. President’s attendance at the upcoming ASEAN Summit; a timely signal that underscores the U.S.’s commitment to the region and offers a unique platform to deepen U.S.–Malaysia–ASEAN strategic, economic, and people-to-people ties. We look forward to leveraging this landmark visit to advance dialogues on trade, digital economy, sustainable growth, and shared security.

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