Dear Sir / Madam,
Greetings from the Embassy of Malaysia!

With a population of more than 600 million and a nominal GDP of $2.31 trillion, ASEAN is fast becoming a major economic force in Asia and a driver of global growth. Recent research shows the region now receives more foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows than China. In 2013, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, known as the ASEAN-5 countries, received $128.4 billion in foreign investment, up 7% from the previous year and topping China’s FDI receipts of $117.6 billion, which declined 2.9% from 2012.

Located at the heart of the Asia-Pacific region and situated across major trade routes – $5.3 trillion of global trade passes through its waterways each year – ASEAN is the United States’ third-largest Asian trading partner and the largest Asian destination for U.S. investment. It also receives the largest chunk of outgoing investment from the EU, at 24%. At current growth rates, ASEAN should become the fourth-largest market after the EU, U.S. and China by 2030, supported by an increasingly well-educated workforce, abundant natural resources and favorable geographic location.

Embassy of Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chairman in Helsinki for 2016, together with other Asean embassies namely Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam embassies in Helsinki will be organizing a seminar for Finnish companies interested in exploring and expanding their businesses in the fast-growing ASEAN market. The Seminar programme outlines presentations by professionals and experts who have extensive experience in providing valuable input and advice on the market, including Finnish organizations that assist to Finnish companies seeking to expand into the South East Asian market.

“ASEAN Business Seminar”
Date: Wednesday, June 1st, 2016 at 9:30-12:00
Venue: Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, Kuusisaarentie 3, 00340 Helsinki

Participation at the Seminar is free of charge. However, due to space limitation, please confirm your attendance by completing the attached registration form and submit to chancery@malaysianembassy.fi by 27th May 2016.

Programme 1.6.2016
REGISTRATION 1.6.2016

DATO’ BLANCHE OLBERY
Ambassador of Malaysia to Republic of Finland
ASEAN Helsinki Chairman