The MGCC® Podcast

Digital Nomads have recently boomed due to the after-effects of the pandemic and there’s no denying that more people are looking into adapting to a more travel-centric work environment. We took this opportunity to talk to MDEC’s Arifah Sharifuddin about Malaysia's DE Rantau visa for those in the IT sector who will be able to capitalise on this current trend and help rebuild the nation's travel sector.

With the recent MGCC Annual Industry Outlook in the hydrogen industry, many of us are left wanting to know more about the future of the industry in the nation. With that, we invited the head of Clean Hydrogen for the APAC region in Linde, Qian Wen-Bin, to join us in this episode of Malaysian Business Guide to help further elaborate on hydrogen's role, security concerns as well as why it is described as the fuel of the future.

The sudden sweep of the COVID-19 pandemic has left tourism in shambles across the globe, and no hotel was spared from this devastation. After two years and a slow recovery, we see many hotels returning to life including one of Penang's oldest hotels, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, with its 137-year history. In this episode, we speak to E&O's General Manager, Alison Fraser, who also happens to be the hotel's first-ever female general manager throughout its history. Get to know more about the hotel and how it slowly recovered from the pandemic and continues to serve guests around the globe to this day.

CREAM! Cash Rules Everything Around Me. This chorus from a famous 90s Rap song still holds some truth 30 years later. One of our member companies, where for many of their employees cash is literally all around them, is our member Giesecke+Devrient or G+D. Why you may ask? Giesecke+Devrient, or G+D, is a German-based technology company and among other businesses leading in printing banknotes. And here in Shah Alam Malaysia G+D is printing the Malaysian Ringgit notes for already 20 years. So, today’s episode is all about money and we talk with Reinhard Plaschka Head of Global Banknote Production from G+D in Germany and Johan Nilsson Managing Director from G+D here in Malaysia about this highly interesting topic. #AHK #banknotes #Cash #Money #Malaysia #G+D

In many parts of the world, it appears that the pandemic is over and that things are normalizing again. But working from home is still a thing, and many businesses are reconsidering their work model since office space is a significant cost factor. SAP is one of Germany’s largest companies, and also one of the world’s leading software providers. As such, it is not only reimagining internally its future work model but also externally as a business case. To discuss the future of work from SAP’s point of view, I have the pleasure of talking to KC Hong, the Managing Director of SAP Malaysia. #SAP #WFH #AHK #Malaysia #Futureofwork Here are the questions in the Podcast with time code:

German Chambers of Commerce & Industry abroad are being called AHK but in Germany, the AHKs are being called IHKs. Although similar in many regards they also differ. The IHK Dortmund is located in the industrial heartland of Germany the Rhein Ruhr Region. Known for steel and mining in the past the region has transformed into one of Europe's most innovative Startup hubs. The IHK Dortmund is at the forefront with its Start.up! Germany Tour which brings Startups from all over the world to the German State of North-Rhine Westphalia. Two of the main organizers of the Start.up! Germany Tour Dominik Stute and Nick Neidl joined today’s podcast sessions to give you insights into this exciting program. This podcast session is for everyone who is interested to hear more about the Rhein Ruhr Region and the Start.up! Germany Tour. #Startup #NRW #Tech #IHK #Malaysia #AHK Here are the questions in the Podcast with time code: 2017

Starting a business isn't always a walk in the park, anything can happen anytime with or without warning. In this episode of the Shortcast, we reached out to some staff and members of MGCC to share their business horror stories and what they had to experience when working with businesses across and even abroad.

Für viele Deutsche Unternehmen ist Malaysia noch immer ein unbekannter Geheimtipp im Fernen Osten. Anders als in vielen Nachbarländern macht Malaysia eine Unternehmensgründung für Ausländer jedoch relativ einfach. Neben der AHK Malaysia hilft u. a. auch die Malaysian Investment Development Agency MIDA deutschen Unternehmen bei der Ansiedlung in Malaysia und das mit zwei eigenen Büros in Frankfurt und München. Daher sprechen wir heute mit Herrn Nils Wolters, Investment Officer von MIDA in Frankfurt über die jeweiligen Schritte, die ein Unternehmen gehen muss bei der Gründung in Malaysia. Wenn Sie weitere Fragen zu Malaysia haben bzw. Interesse haben, in Malaysia zu investieren, schicken Sie bitte an Nils Wolters von MIDA nils@mida.gov.my oder an Sebastian Kirsch von der AHK Malaysia sebastian.kirsch@malaysia.ahk.de eine E-Mail. #Malaysia #AHK #MIDA #ASEAN #GründunginAsien Here are the questions in the Podcast with time code:

The war in Ukraine has caused sanctions on Russia which have a great impact not only on the Russian economy but the whole world. Although geographically thousands of kilometres away, these impacts are also felt in Malaysia. Chambers of commerce monitor these impacts and in today's episode, we talk with MGCC's Executive Director Daniel Benbeck about these economic consequences here in Malaysia. #Ukraine #Malaysia #Palmoil #Russiatrade To support Ukraine, our colleagues from the AHK Ukraine ask for donations to: Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V., BIC: BFSWDE33XXX IBAN: DE94 3702 0500 0433 0433 00 Bank für Sozialwirtschaft Refference: SupportUkraine More information here: https://www.johanniter.de/spenden-stiften/ukraine/?utm_campaign=ukraine&utm_content=auslandshilfe&utm_medium=redirect&utm_source=other Follow the link to also listen to the German ambassador to Malaysia talking about the Ukraine conflict on BFM Radio. https://www.bfm.my/podcast/evening-edition/evening-edition/france-and-germanys-response-to-ukraine-russia-conflict Here are the questions in the Podcast with time code: Germany along with many other western countries has imposed sanctions on Russia for their invasion of Ukraine. Can you summarise some of the most important ones? 01:55

MGCC is not only supporting German companies coming to Malaysia but also offers services for companies that are already established in the country. With its extensive memberbase and associates, MGCC provides a huge network beneficial to all its members. In this podcast episode, we discuss how the chamber life looks like. And who better to talk to than the Head of MGCC's Communications & Membership Services Department Sabine Franze. #AHK #malaysia #PartnerInMalaysia #asia #asean #ChamberofCommerce If you are interested in a particular question please find here the questions with their time code for you to jump directly.

The pandemic has forced many companies to adopt digital processes much faster. For many "going digital" is no longer just an option anymore. At the forefront of the digital transformation in Malaysia are agencies like MDEC or Digital Penang. Especially Penang is very active and attracted companies like Facebook. With its Digital Masterplan, Digital Penang aims to support companies adopting digital technology. In this episode, we talk with Tony Yeoh CEO of Digital Penang about the current developments in Penang. Here is the link to Digital Penang's Digital Transformation Masterplan 1.0: https://digitalpenang.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/DTMPBooklet.pdf #Penang #malaysia #digitaltransformation #asia #asean #ahk #industry4.0 #Digitalisation If you are interested in a particular question please find here the questions with their time code for you to jump directly.

Over the years, MGCC has been able to assist in a number of fraud cases involving scamming activities in Malaysia and Germany. In this episode, we discuss the most common fraud cases, what are the red flags to be aware of, and why you should never believe an email from a foreign prince. Hear from Dr Eva Langerbeck, Head of Corporate Service Department, what can be done to minimize the risk of being scammed, and how MGCC is able to assist when you are in trouble.

International supply chains often rely on Free Trade Zones to ensure products can move freely, fast and be cost-effective. Malaysia has more than 30 of these Free Trade Zones with one of the biggest in the South Malaysian Sea being the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), Johor. To talk about the role and benefit of these Free Trade Zones, we speak with the CEO of Port Tanjung Pelepas, Mr Marco Neelsen. #seatrade #malaysia #freetradezone #asia #asean #ahk #seaport If you are interested in a particular question please find here the questions with their time code for you to jump directly.

In Germany, the local chambers of commerce and crafts play an important role in organizing supporting local businesses. In Malaysia, chambers of commerce are a concept many people are not familiar with. Also, Germans in Malaysia are not aware of the tasks the international chambers of commerce have here. In this episode, we talk with the CEO of MGCC Mr Daniel Bernbeck to explain the origin of the German chamber of commerce system and how it is structured. Then we explain how the Malaysian chamber of commerce landscape looks like. #chamberofcommerce #malaysia #ihk #asia #asean #ahk If you are interested in a particular topic please find here the questions with their time code for you to jump directly.

Are you interested in Malaysia's general taxation system? Then the latest episode of the Malaysian Business Guide is just for you. Our Head of accounting, Mr Seng Ngiap Tan answers the most frequent questions people have about the Malaysian Tax system. #taxes #malaysia #investmalaysia #asia #asean If you are interested in a particular topic please find here the questions with their time code for you to jump directly.

Germany is known for having a highly skilled labour force which is based on its famous dual education system. Although Malaysia has a competent workforce MGCC with its GDVT programme is implementing the German system here in Malaysia to further improve the quality of the workers. In this month’s podcast episode of the Malaysian Business Guide, we talk about the current status of vocational training in Malaysia and how GDVT works. #vocationaltraining #GDVT #Malaysia #workforce #education #PartnerInMalaysia #AHK #MGCCPodcast #PodcastMalaysia Here are the time codes for the questions in the episode. 1. What is vocational training? 02:03 2. How is the current situation in Malaysia and what is TVET? 02:26 3. As an investor setting up my facilities do I find enough skilled workers and is there an over or undersupply in certain professions? 03:12 4. Germany is very proud of its vocational Training the so-called “duales Bildungssystem” or the dual education system which produces a highly skilled labour force. How does the Malaysian system compare to the German one and the other systems in Southeast Asia? 05:14 5. MGCC is implementing the German system in Malaysia with its German Dual Vocational Training GDVT. Can you explain what GDVT is? 06:35 6. As an employer or as a student how can I sign up for a GDVT and how long does the programme run? 08:18 7. Michelle you yourself were once a GDVT student. Tell us a bit about your experience? 09:53 8. We are not a German company nor a member of MGCC. Can we still apply for the GDVT programme? 11:06 9. How many companies are currently active in the programme and how many students have graduated under GDVT? 11:30 10. Is GDVT recognized by the Malaysian government? 12:19 11. The former Prime Minister Mahathir praised the German system as a role model for Malaysia. How is GDVT cooperating with Malaysia? 12:50 12. Let’s say I’m an employer and want to implement German standards but you don’t offer the courses. Will you accommodate my course anyway? 14:08 13. What are the popular professions in GDVT and in general in the Malaysian TVET system? 14:55 14. While being a vocational student in Germany is a well-respected education in Malaysia, we face the challenge that in Malaysia a university degree is seen in much higher regard. What are the advantages of German Dual Vocational Training in Malaysia? 15:20

Travelling is one of the major restriction the world is facing during the pandemic. While social and leisure travel in and out of Malaysia is banned there are ways for business travellers to come in and out. In the first episode of our brand new podcast format the Malaysian Business Guide we discuss business travel in and out of Malaysia with our very own experts at MGCC Dr Eva Langerbeck and Fairuz Razak who deal with entry permits on a daily basis. Get all the important information and find out whether you are eligible to enter or leave Malaysia. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in late May 2021. All the information given in this episode depending on the current COVID situation in Malaysia might not be relevant when you listen to it months or weeks later. Here are the time codes for the questions in the episode. 1. What is the current travel status in Malaysia? 02:40 2. What are the differences between Business, Work, Social and Leisure travel? 03:01 3. What proof do you need to be categorized as a business traveller? 03:46 4. Which nationalities can come in? 05:59 5. Independent from the nationality, does the country matter from which my travel originated? 06:31 6. What happens if my travel date changes? 07:50 7. Does my vaccination status make a difference? 08:36 8. Is there a quarantine when I arrive in Malaysia? 08:55 9. Do I have to pay for the quarantine? 09:41 10. How long can I stay in Malaysia? 10:35 11. Do I need travel insurance in Malaysia? 11:10 12. Where do I apply for the entry permit as a business traveller? 11:24 13. What happens on arrival in Malaysia? 11:50 14. Can I change my travel schedule once I'm in the country? 13:07 15. Can I move freely within Malaysia? 13:36 16. Is there a difference between Malaysians and foreigners when leaving Malaysia? 14:01 17. How is the procedure for business travellers holding a Malaysian passport? 16:02 18. How is it for foreigners? Can I return to Malaysia once I'm out? 16:28 19. Can I leave Malaysia to get vaccinated and do I have to notify the Malaysian authorities when I return? 17:49 20. Is there a quarantine as well when I return? 18:25 21. Once I got the travel approval from the government is my return guaranteed? 18:45 22. Let's say I'm in Malaysia my visa is expiring but I'm in the middle of obtaining a new work permit, do I have to leave the country? 19:25 23. Are there countries I can travel to without having to go to quarantine in Malaysia when I return? 20:06

Faced with more demanding tasks at work many of us often reduce sleep to have more time working on them. Riad Hechame author of the book "Stress Less, Sleep Better" tells us in our latest episode of the memberbytes that reducing sleep might not be a good idea if you want to perform at your highest level. As founder of Peak Human Performance here in Kuala Lumpur, he supports people who want to reduce stress, live healthier and perform better at anything they do. #lessstress #health #Malaysia

Ever wondered why markets like Petaling street selling fake branded merchandise exist without being punished? Geetha Kandiah one of Malaysia's leading IP experts has an explanation. As the director of KASS International, she consults international companies about protecting their Intellectual property not only in Malaysia but also in other ASEAN countries. In this episode, she explains that Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries have realized that protecting Intellectual Property is important to attracting FDIs. Although markets like Petaling street exist your IP is safe in Malaysia once you have filled it correctly.