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Responding to COVID-19:
The British Chambers of Commerce Global Network
British Chambers across Asia
Alongside our closest colleagues across the region, we have been curating a series of joint webinars and podcasts which are made available at no cost to our combined network of members, showcasing the regional insights available from each country and the commonalities between markets.
British Chamber of Commerce Myanmar
Typically, foreign workers need to regularly exit and re-enter Myanmar to obtain a new business visa.
The British Chamber in Myanmar alongside its members have been lobbying for regulatory changes to relax the rules for foreign workers applying to renew business visas in-country. As a result, there has been a reduction in the required length of time remaining on a current visa from 21 days before expiry to just five days before, which has helped people to circumnavigate the COVID-19 related travel restrictions and flight cancellations.
British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Berhad
The Chamber has been surveying their members to understand the impact of COVID-19 to the business community, increasing webinars, virtual roundtables and the frequency of interactions with the local Government. In addition, they have been working with the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to gather data and share important information on travel and immigration.
Chamber members have been involved in a variety of ways:
1. HSBC Malaysia offers relief to Covid-19 affected customers
2. Standard Chartered Malaysia donates over half a million Ringgit to help front liners combat COVID-19
More at: www.sc.com/my/news-media/scm-donates-over-half-a-million-ringgit-to-combat-covid-19/
3. Shell Malaysia sends equipment to hospitals
More at: rojakdaily.com/btw/article/9154/shell-sends-equipment-to-hospitals
4. Marlborough College Malaysia, also a member of the British Chamber here in Singapore: Leeds teacher's face shield design protecting NHS staff from coronavirus
5. The Lost Food Project: TLFP distributed over 20,000kgs of food since MCO
6. University Malaya donates protective intubation devices
More at: www.nst.com.my/education/2020/04/582511/um-donates-protective-intubation-devices
A Message From
our Head of Member Relations
The British Chamber in Singapore’s predominant focus is to support you and your business to develop and grow, generate opportunities through incoming trade and drive forward conversations that can enable businesses to thrive. Albeit we are now all subject to the ‘circuit breaker’ rules, over the past month or so we have evolved our offering to ensure members still get access to the very best insights and opportunities. We are ensuring that our members continue to have their voices heard – our regular flash polls and surveys, committee meetings and catch ups, and one-to-one conversations mean that we can relay real time scenarios to Government and stakeholders, and continue to drive forward the support you need to navigate through this challenging period.
We also often overlook the personal value of being part of this community, our ‘BritCham family’. In addition to addressing topics aligned with business, we are mindful of supporting the personal challenges you may be facing right now. Some of us are flying solo and finding our way through limited physical interaction, and many of us are discovering a whole new meaning to work and family balance. The wellbeing of our members is very important to us and we will continue to provide the personal and collective support where needed. Keep an eye out for upcoming activity to help keep all our minds and bodies healthy.
If you do wish to reach out to the membership team at any point, please feel free to email either Nicole at [email protected] or Melissa melissa@britcham.org.sg.
Nicole Wharfe,
Head of Member Relations,
British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore