The United States ambassador to Malaysia HE Brian D. McFeeters visited Penang on Nov 8th and 9th to meet government officials, businesses and NGOs to discuss U.S. – Penang cooperation on investment, supply chain resilience, trafficking in persons, and more.
During his trip, Ambassador McFeeters met with the Governor of Penang, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Haji Razak and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthening relations with Penang as the state with the most U.S. investments in Malaysia.
Ambassador McFeeters also shared the U.S. government’s interest in supporting resilient supply chains and Penang’s important role in it as a hub for semiconductors and other critical supply chains.
He also spoke about the U.S. government’s focus on combating trafficking in persons and the readiness to support Penang, and the wider Malaysian government, to improve policy implementation.
Ambassador McFeeters visited the Tenaganita Home Shelter in Penang to learn about the government’s anti-trafficking initiatives in cooperation with the CSO community and discussed the resources needed to run the shelter.
He highlighted the importance of a victim-centered approach to trafficking in persons cases.
In addition, Ambassador McFeeters met with the thriving U.S. business community in Penang during a roundtable hosted by the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) on November 8th
Ambassador McFeeters discussed the challenges and opportunities for U.S. businesses in Penang with the member companies, the importance of supply chain resiliency, and the enormous potential for closer economic ties between the U.S. and Penang.
He also highlighted U.S. corporate leadership on environment, social, and governance. Ambassador McFeeters expressed his hope for U.S. companies to continue being leaders in sustainability practices and contributing to Malaysia’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
On November 9th , Ambassador McFeeters had the opportunity to visit several U.S. companies’ Penang operations. He toured Boston Scientific as well as Lam Research’s new Batu Kawan manufacturing plant.
He discussed opportunities for the semiconductor and medical devices industries as Penang continues to recover from COVID-19 with both companies’ senior leadership.
Ambassador McFeeters also visited Soon Soon Group, an importer of U.S. agricultural products and a close partner of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a trade association that promotes exports of American soy products.
Ambassador McFeeters spoke about the contribution of U.S. soy imports to sustainable food products and Malaysia’s economic growth with the Managing Director, Dr. Soon Bin Neoh.
They also discussed how the U.S. government and U.S. industries can better expand U.S. business opportunities in Malaysia.
Penang is a central node of the global supply chain in many key industries and is a key partner in supporting U.S. investments.
The U.S. government is committed to supporting supply chain resiliency in Penang, building stronger business ties with the state, and strengthening the overall U.S.- Malaysia trade relationship.
Source – United States Embassy Kuala Lumpur