By 高雲兒, reporting from New York · World Journal · 4 November 2026
The US chapter of the Malaysian Commerce and Industry Council recently held a press conference in Flushing. President Bang Junxiong (邦君雄) announced its work plan for 2027, with three main priorities: promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation between Malaysia and the United States, encouraging Chinese people to invest in Malaysia, and strengthening business and trade ties among the United States, Malaysia, mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong to help businesses expand into overseas markets.
Bang said that, in terms of Malaysia–US economic and trade cooperation, the council plans to promote exchanges in areas including trade, investment, tourism and agricultural products. These include encouraging Malaysia to purchase American agricultural products such as soybeans, wheat and corn, while also encouraging Malaysian companies to invest in the United States and expand bilateral business opportunities.
Another priority is attracting Chinese people from mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong to do business and invest in Malaysia. Bang said that Malaysia offers a multilingual environment and advantages in international commerce. By strengthening exchanges between businesses, he hopes to attract more Chinese entrepreneurs to explore investment and development opportunities there.
The council also introduced the Malaysian government’s Malaysia My Second Home programme, known as MM2H, which offers an option for foreigners interested in long-term residence in the country. Under the current rules, the programme has different application categories. The Silver category requires applicants to place 150,000 in a fixed deposit at a Malaysian bank. Eligible applicants can obtain a renewable five-year residence permit and, in accordance with the rules, withdraw part of the deposit for designated purposes such as purchasing a home.
Dr. Tham Seng Kong, founder of Malaysian biotechnology company ALPS Group Inc., who attended the event, said that Malaysia has biotechnology research and development talent. The company he founded was listed on Nasdaq in the United States last year. On this occasion, he hopes the council can help connect him with US investment banks and related resources to advance a new technology that uses patients’ tumour cells to test responses to cancer drugs in a laboratory, with the aim of reducing the risks of ineffective medication and delayed treatment.
Bang also said that the council plans to further connect the Chinese business communities in the United States, Malaysia, mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Through business exchanges, trade cooperation and investment promotion, it aims to foster cross-regional commercial ties and create more opportunities for cooperation among Chinese entrepreneurs.
Translation note: The original article does not specify the currency for the 150,000 fixed-deposit amount. The council’s English name and its president’s romanised name are translations of the Chinese wording.
Photo: World Journal / 高雲兒. The council’s US chapter held a press conference in Flushing to announce its work plan for 2027.
Source: World Journal, 4 November 2026. Read the original article. English translation of the original article body; the headline used here was selected by ALPS.