In a significant celebration of diplomatic excellence, the Embassy of Malaysia in Manila, alongside GeiserMaclang and Digital Pilipinas, a private-sector-led initiative driving the Philippines’ digital transformation, marked the 60th anniversary of Malaysia-Philippines relations recently with a dynamic media reception centered on technology and innovation.
Photo shows Amor Maclang (front row, 4th from right), together with representatives of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICT-PH), Maybank, and Citihomes as they celebrate 60 years of diplomatic excellence between Malaysia and PH as part of the GMCI Road to 25 in 2025 program.
Held at the Embassy of Malaysia in Makati City, the event brought together influential figures from diverse sectors to enhance bilateral cooperation and drive forward shared goals.
The reception saw participation from key representatives, including those from the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICT-PH), Maybank, and Citihomes.
Celebrating diplomatic excellence, achievements in ICT
The dialogue focused on promoting trade fairs, conferences, and workforce upskilling initiatives while celebrating diplomatic excellence and achievements made by both countries in sustainable development and information and communication technology (ICT).
In 2023, total trade between Malaysia and the Philippines reached USD 7.91 billion, making the Philippines the 16th largest trading partner of Malaysia. The Philippines also ranked as Malaysia’s 15th largest export destination with exports valued at USD 5.79 billion.
For imports, the Philippines was Malaysia’s 16th largest source, with imports valued at USD 2.12 billion. Over the past five years, total exports between the two countries have shown a positive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.3%, rising from USD 4.49 billion to USD 5.79 billion.
The top five exports from Malaysia to the Philippines included petroleum products, electrical and electronic products, chemical and chemical products, palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, and processed food.
“We are here together as friends to celebrate diplomatic excellence, our achievements, and plan for the future as we mark 60 years of Malaysia-Philippines relations,” Zakaria stated in a press release.
Zakaria also announced upcoming events like the MIHAS in September and the National Human Capital Conference Exhibition to be held later this month in Malaysia. He also invited attendees to participate in a business franchise event in Manila and the Mindanao Conference in Zamboanga City.
Digital milestones and industry collaboration
Other industry leaders also presented their contributions to the bilateral relationship.
Benny Tham of Weida Philippines showcased the company’s sustainable development efforts, including polyethylene projects for water needs and green home initiatives in Davao Del Norte. Jessraf Palmares, president of NICT-PH, detailed the organization’s efforts to revolutionize technology across the Philippines and announced the Mindanao Conference in Zamboanga City, supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
Wan Yon Shahima, Chief Customer Officer of HRD Corp Malaysia, spoke about the organization’s mission to enhance the skills and employability of the Malaysian workforce. Shahima invited ASEAN countries to the National Human Capital Conference and Exhibition (NHCCE 2024) in Malaysia, which will focus on human capital development and technological innovation.
Amor Maclang, Convenor of Digital Pilipinas, shared the milestones of collaboration between Digital Pilipinas and the Malaysian Embassy. Emphasizing strong ties in Halal advocacy and digitalization, Maclang noted Malaysia’s leadership in ASEAN’s digital transformation and announced a national roadshow in August and Digital Pilipinas’s participation in the MDEX event in Malaysia this October.
The event concluded with a collective vision to position ASEAN as a global innovation hub through continued collaboration in technology and human capital development.
This initiative aligns with the “GMCI Road to 2025” program, supported by GeiserMaclang, which aims to foster innovation and technological advancement in the region. Companies in the Philippines seeking Malaysian products and services can connect with MATRADE Manila for the latest market updates and business opportunities by emailing manila@matrade.gov.my.
To know more about these programs, visit the Digital Pilipinas website at https://digitalpilipinas.ph/ and GeiserMaclang on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/geisermaclang/mycompany/.
