Since its establishment in 1986, the Malaysia Australia Business Council (MABC) has been the leading voice of Malaysian and Australian business. Supported by its co-patrons, the Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry and the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, the MABC plays a critical role in advancing bilateral trade and investment while providing a range of services to its members based both in Malaysia and Australia.
The Council is associated with a number of Malaysian Government Institutions, including the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and TalentCorp. The MABC also works closely with the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and Austrade Malaysia. Through a full programme of events, business facilitation, advocacy and regular communication, the MABC provides a comprehensive platform for both companies and individuals to successfully do business in Malaysia and Australia.
The MABC is a proud associate of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Australia Malaysia Business Council, as well as Asialink Business and the Malaysia Australia Alumni Council. With this sturdy framework of partners, the MABC aims to foster goodwill and collaboration in the Malaysian and Australian business communities by providing business matching services and a forum to exchange ideas and experience, whilst developing deep rooted connections that will bring the two nations closer together.
Malaysia and Australia have a comprehensive partnership and shared history which dates back to the 18th century. Australia and Malaysia are both party to a number of comprehensive trade agreements, including the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA), the ASEAN-Australia- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (ANZFTA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Both nations launched the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement in 2021, which elevated the bilateral ties and collaboration between Australia and Malaysia in areas of mutual benefit. Australia and Malaysia also share significant defence ties through the Five Powers Defence Arrangements, in which both countries collaborate with partners Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to ensure sovereignty and independence is preserved.
The MABC is a critical resource for business leaders relating to trade and investment opportunities, practices and regulations in Malaysia and Australia. The MABC has over 250 individual and corporate members. MABC corporate members employ 1000s of people around the country with business activities in every state in Malaysia. Members include businesses listed on the ASX and KLSE and a spectrum of SME’s and professionals. Through networking events advocacy programs and engagement activities, the MABC cooperates with several other national business chambers and councils to build a strong network of resources, all aimed at facilitating the success of the relationship between Australia and Malaysia.
MABC Code of Conduct v 2023, download here
MABC Article of Association 2024, download here
Key Objectives
- To promote and foster close relations between Malaysia and Australia, in particular mutual understanding, goodwill, harmony and fraternity amongst the business communities of both countries.
- To provide a forum for meeting people involved or interest in enhancing trade and investment flows between Malaysia and Australia, in order to exchange ideas, experience, and information, develop contacts, and facilitate interaction.
- To identify encourage and inform members (and other interested parties) of appropriate sources of information relating to trade and investment opportunities, practices and regulations, in Malaysia and Australia.
- To support Malaysian business interests in Australia, and Australian business interests in Malaysia, by providing information, advice and where necessary a vehicle for representations or submissions to appropriate bodies or parties.
- To liaise and co-operate with organisations in Malaysia and Australia with aims similar to those of the Council
