KUALA LUMPUR, November 30 – On this significant day, the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, officially inaugurated the first Malaysia Strategic Trade Summit (MySTS) 2023, held in Kuala Lumpur. This landmark event underscores Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to fulfilling international security obligations aimed at preventing the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, in alignment with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540).
Supported by national stakeholders, Malaysia has established a robust Strategic Trade Management (STM) ecosystem over the past decade, primarily through the Strategic Trade Act of 2010 (STA 2010). The implementation of STA 2010 plays an integral role in the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry’s (MITI) comprehensive agenda to promote trade, investment, and industrial growth in Malaysia, balancing economic development with security concerns. MySTS 2023 featured various pragmatic programs tailored to the implementation of STM:
- Industry Outreach on Strategic Trade (IOST): Focused on educating the business community and industries about sustainability and security in supply chain management. This program aimed to facilitate government outreach and enhance awareness of non-proliferation efforts.
- 2nd Annual Women in Strategic Trade Forum (WiST): Geared towards empowering women in STM through capacity building, promoting awareness of career growth opportunities, and facilitating the exchange of best practices.
- 3rd Southeast Asia Forum on Export Control (SEAFEC): A platform to encourage regional dialogue on STM harmonization among ASEAN countries. Discussions encompassed export controls, legal frameworks, transit, and transshipment challenges, with the goal of developing an ASEAN-wide policy for regional trade security.
In acknowledgment of the significant contributions of prominent women professionals in Malaysia to STM initiatives, the inaugural Women in Strategic Trade (WiST) Honors Pioneer Award Ceremony was held alongside MySTS. Awards were presented in four categories: Lifetime Achievement, Government, Academia, and Industry. This recognition seeks to inspire more women to engage in various capacities within the field of strategic trade, including leadership roles and technical expertise.
During his speech, YB Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry highlighted the formation of the Malaysia Strategic Trade Control Community (MYSTCC). This public-private partnership initiative on STM, co-founded by MITI, serves as a vital link between the corporate community and STM experts and professionals. MYSTCC is an industry-driven entity that offers training and policy input on strategic trade compliance and governance, supporting MITI and partner agencies in STA 2010 implementation.
The organization of MySTS 2023 was a collaborative effort led by the Strategic Trade Secretariat (STS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The Summit brought together more than 600 local and international participants from businesses, academia, government, and industry organizations.
