This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 15, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Bursa Malaysia Bhd will be hosting the 15th Invest Malaysia Capital Market forum, from March 19 to 20.

In a joint statement yesterday, the two companies said the event would be held at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, where 63 public-listed Malaysian companies with a total market capitalisation of RM913 billion would be showcased.

They expect the event to attract over 1,000 local and regional fund managers from Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, the US and the UK, with total estimated assets under management of US$20.16 trillion (RM82.45 trillion).

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is set to deliver the keynote address, as well as be the guest of honour — with the forum anticipated to discuss Malaysia’s growth ambitions, as well as provide clarity on programmes designed to be vehicles for Malaysia’s new growth agenda.

“The Invest Malaysia forum is the perfect platform to express Malaysia’s ambition, purpose and clarity for its next phase of development, placing the country firmly back on international investor’s radar,” said Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift.

He added that the country’s growth is intact, despite potential short-term challenges, and that its resilience and dynamism make it a strong investment choice in a world of uncertainties.

“Beyond that, Malaysia’s institutional frameworks are robust and flexible enough to respond to changing times and needs. Our vibrancy and attractiveness were evidenced through the high participation and contribution from the foreign investors.

“Despite all the headwinds last year, foreign outflow from our capital market was the second lowest among our Asean emerging market peers and our foreign shareholdings remained intact at 23.4% of total market capitalisation,” Umar said.

Maybank Group president and CEO, Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, said the bank believes Malaysia is a compelling investment destination and gateway to other Asean markets, but it must maintain its competitiveness in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“Malaysia must maintain its competitiveness by executing critical structural reforms while integrating environmental, social and governance factors to ensure an attractive business climate for investors.

“The Invest Malaysia forum is designed to elicit structured dialogue around the role of environmental, social and governance factors and the responsibility of capital market leaders. We look forward to the gathering of some of the world’s leading capital market influencers to be part of the discussion,” Abdul Farid said.