Malaysia just recorded its highest-ever Q1 trade figure at RM789.85 billion, yet the ground-level reality is far more complex. While the E&E boom and AI demand supercharge exports, a public standoff with EV giant BYD over investment conditions is testing the limits of our National Automotive Policy (NAP).

Professor Dr Ong Kian Ming, Adjunct Professor at Taylor's University and former Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, joins Enterprise Explores to unpack the state of trade beyond the headline numbers.

We explore the controversy surrounding BYD’s investment conditions, why the 2020 National Automotive Policy (NAP) is behind the times in the age of Chinese EV dominance, the "Taiwan Plus One" trend and political stability as a key selling point.

Tune In To Find Out:

• The Taiwan Surprise: Why we trade four times more with Taiwan than India does, and how "Taiwan Plus One" is supercharging our semiconductor sector.
• The BYD Standoff: Unpacking the tension between MITI and the EV giant. Is Malaysia being protectionist, or are we rightfully guarding our local supply chain?.
• The NAP: Why the 2020 National Automotive Policy needs an urgent update to address the Chinese EV revolution and aggressive adoption targets.
• The JS-SEZ Hype: Why the delay in the Johor-Singapore master plan is making investors nervous.
• The "Manifesto Battle": Why industry associations must submit their "wish lists" to political coalitions now, ahead of a potential 2026 general election.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.