.jpg)
A new tone was set for Invest Malaysia 2012 (IMKL 2012) to positively shape investors' perspective on Malaysia as a key driver of the ASEAN capital market. Organised by Bursa Malaysia, sponsored by Maybank Kim Eng and supported by MIDA, the 8th Invest Malaysia conference participants were delighted with the record number of nearly 900 fund managers. Total number of delegates in attendance at the 2-day conference was 2,113 with 110 foreign participants from 85 organisations.
Dato' Tajuddin Atan, Chief Executive Officer, Bursa Malaysia said, "The turnout of 2,113 local and foreign capital market drivers represented at Invest Malaysia sent a very strong signal for the growth of Malaysia's capital market. This year's conference successfully positioned Malaysia as a nation capitalising on its transformation programmes and was designed to be fast-paced, fact-based and facilitate dialogue amongst speakers and delegates at every opportunity. Even Prime Minister Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak's keynote address included a 30 minute candid discussion with the audience.
"From what has been stated by many fund managers at IMKL 2012, Malaysia is moving to the top of their list of investment destinations in ASEAN having formed their opinions after attending numerous closed-door meetings with Malaysian multinational companies and other capital market drivers," continued Dato' Tajuddin.
488 meeting requests were filled via private business meetings with foreign fund managers over the two days, with a focus on facilitating investment opportunities. 45 Malaysian companies were profiled with an approximate market value of RM490 billion, representing 38% of the total market capitalisation of Bursa Malaysia. This year's line-up of companies included a wide cross-section showcasing the depth of Bursa Malaysia, including 25% who were new to the Invest Malaysia platform.
Tengku Dato' Zafrul, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Investment Bank, shared, "Fund managers cited Malaysia's centrality to ASEAN as its key strength and find Malaysia in a unique position to bridge the diversity and capitalise on the growth of ASEAN. This is a crucial point, considering how many global fund managers are focusing on emerging markets and Malaysian companies are becoming multinationals."
The sentiment of participants and fund managers at IMKL 2012 was positive, following the announcement by our Prime Minister to set up a Foundation to look into addressing gaps to further develop the capital market.
"As capital flow barriers come down and ASEAN nations become more and more familiar with Malaysian investors, there is a need to be an internationally competitive marketplace. On top of that, we also need to ensure that the domestic investor base is maintained and the regional investor base continues to grow," said Dato' Tajuddin.
"I believe that is why the Prime Minister announced this initiative. We need to provide a more conducive environment that promotes growth for Issuers, Intermediaries and Investors. The Foundation's funding is a requisite to ensure we give the industry the boost it needs to grow talent, SMEs and intermediaries' capabilities," he said.
The two most active Plenary Dialogues were headlined by Dato' Sri Idris Jala, Chief Executive Officer of Pemandu, and Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed. These sessions addressed investors' interest in the impact and opportunities of the GTP and ETP as well as Malaysia's growing role as a multinational marketplace.
The Plenary Dialogues continued on Day 2 with a panel of capital market drivers discussing the benefits of an integrated ASEAN as well as Renewable Energy opportunities in ASEAN.
Dato' Noharuddin Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said, "Invest Malaysia is an ideal platform for us to profile Malaysia as ASEAN's multinational marketplace. The Malaysian companies expanding their presence throughout ASEAN provide the model of how other global multinationals can use and leverage Malaysia as their base to tap into the growth of ASEAN. IMKL 2012 delivered value to players in the capital market as well as direct investors."
Bursa Malaysia also took the opportunity to have a dialogue with key thought leaders and business drivers of Malaysia's Islamic capital market who were present at the event. During the conversation with the CEOs, the leaders agreed on key areas for innovation and a commitment to re-group was made to follow through on delivering business-led Islamic capital market innovations.
"I am pleased to see the proactive drive amongst the market players towards the development of the Islamic capital market. I sincerely hope to see more stakeholders engage with us after this conference and welcome their thoughts on how we can develop and spur more innovations in our Islamic capital market," said Dato' Tajuddin.
Riding on the strong and positive sentiment towards the Malaysian capital market and growth projection, an Invest Malaysia global series will be rolled out to showcase Malaysia's corporates to the world.
