The Institute submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) on 29 July 2008 for the creation of a separate header for “Corporate Governance, Compliances and Secretarial Advisory Services” in the Services Classification List of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

MAICSA delegation led by president Akbar Moidunny FCIS submitted the memo to MITI’s director Shaliza Tay Abdullah who is in charge of multilateral trade policy and negotiations.

Akbar briefed MITI on the evolving role of company secretaries as advisors to the boards of directors and chief governance officers. The separate heading is deemed necessary as it will pave a way for worldwide recognition of the roles and function of company secretaries who have existed ever since Company Law legislation in the 1800s was enacted by the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. At present, there is no separate category for company secretaries unlike other professionals like doctors and accountants in the Services Sectoral Classification list of WTO. Worldwide recognition is necessary when the country embraces globalisation. Company Secretaries would then be able to expand their services to corporations and compete globally.