The Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce & Industry hosted its Gala Night on November 13, 2025, at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, bringing together the Malaysian-French business community to celebrate their substantial contributions to bilateral trade relations. This event coincided with significant diplomatic developments, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Paris, which has reinforced the strategic partnership between the two nations and opened new avenues for cooperation in trade, innovation, and sustainable development.
The French economic presence in Malaysia continues to expand significantly, with over 600 French entities now operating in the country. This includes approximately 300 subsidiaries and 300 entrepreneurs who collectively employ about 30,000 people and have generated an accumulated turnover of RM20 billion for the Malaysian economy. The event welcomed over 400 guests, including key government officials and business leaders, demonstrating the depth of the Malaysia-France economic relationship.
Building on the momentum from recent diplomatic engagements, a business delegation of 29 French companies organized by Business France and MEDEF International conducted a mission to Malaysia to further strengthen bilateral ties. The Chamber views Malaysia as the strategic hub for French businesses in Southeast Asia and anticipates its continued role as a gateway to the region. This positioning is supported by strong institutional collaboration between French and Malaysian organizations including the French Embassy, MIDA, MATRADE, InvestKL, and other investment promotion agencies.
During the gala, several member companies received CCIFM Excellence Awards recognizing exceptional performance across various categories. TotalEnergies EP Malaysia received the Outstanding Achievements award for large companies, while Sophia Engineering Malaysia was honored in the SME category. Other award recipients included Asiance for Entrepreneur of the Year, Cultural Impact for Corporate Social Responsibility, Botanickel Sabah & the State of Sabah for France-Malaysia Smart Partnership, and Sunway Le Cordon Bleu for Image of France. These recognitions highlight the diverse contributions French businesses are making to Malaysia's economic landscape.
The evening featured performances by renowned artists including Jaclyn Victor, Douglas Lim, Psycusix, and Charity Goh, while guests enjoyed signature cocktails and beverages provided by Monin and the Pernod Ricard group. The event concluded with lucky guests winning prizes including a four-night stay at Club Med Phuket and return tickets to Paris courtesy of Malaysia Airlines. More event photos can be viewed at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAahG.
CCIFM's commitment to sustainability was also highlighted through its ongoing reforestation efforts in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah. The chamber's tree-planting program has now reached 500 trees, helping restore biodiversity while offsetting approximately 12 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This environmental initiative reflects the broader commitment of the Malaysian-French business community to sustainable development practices. The chamber continues to facilitate business connections and support trade growth through its strategic location in Kuala Lumpur's business hub, offering comprehensive services for French companies expanding into Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.
