Japan Confers Malaysia's AmBank Chairman With The Order Of The Rising Sun, Gold And Silver Star Award

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s AMMB Holdings Bhd (AmBank) chairman Azman Hashim has been conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star award from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. Japan ambassador and plenipotentiary Takahashi Katsuhiko said the Japanese government deeply appreciates Azman’s dedication and strong support towards enriching the long-lasting friendship and the solid bond between the two countries and people. “We are delighted that this conferment ceremony is one of the key events to kick start the commemorative year of the 40th anniversary of the Look East Policy (LEP). “This is Azman’s second award from His Majesty after he was conferred The Order of the Rising Sun in 1987,” he said in his remarks at the conferment ceremony which was held on Wednesday (March 2, 2022). Katsuhiko said Azman is a prominent businessman and president of the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA). The association promotes a closer economic relationship between the private sectors of Malaysia and Japan and holds an annual joint conference with the Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA). Under Azman’s leadership, MAJECA has organised several webinars in collaboration with JAMECA to ensure continued communication and discussion between the private sectors of both countries even during the pandemic era, said Katsuhiko. “Azman has also contributed greatly to the deepening of trade relations between Japan and Malaysia. Since he had great confidence that the Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) would greatly promote trade and investment between our two countries, he strongly pushed the Malaysian government for the conclusion of the EPA. “As a result, the EPA came into effect in June 2006, and the first bilateral EPA for Malaysia contributed significantly to step up the economic relationship between the two countries,” he said. Katsuhiko added that Azman is also a strong advocate of the LEP and on the 30th anniversary of LEP in 2012, Azman took the initiative to host a roundtable discussion to revitalise the LEP in order to further strengthen Japan-Malaysia economic relations. -- BERNAMA