On 11 November, Nihon M&A Center Malaysia conducted a knowledge-sharing workshop for our partner firm, Chia, Ka & Partners PLT (CKP) – a chartered accounting and advisory firm offering audit, tax, corporate advisory and business support services to Malaysian businesses and small and medium sized entrepreneurs (SMEs). The session was held exclusively for CKP’s top management and team members, with the aim of deepening their fundamental understanding of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). By equipping them with the basics, we hope to help them better recognize when M&A may be a relevant option for business owners who are planning for succession and continuity or evaluating the next stage of growth for their companies.
The two-hour workshop was led by three of our consultants – Ryosuke (Rio) Sakamoto (Senior Deal Manager), Vanessa Choy (Deal Manager), and Jason Chan (Consultant). The workshop was structured into four key parts, each addressing a vital aspect of the M&A landscape.
Rio kicked off the session with an introduction to Nihon M&A Center, covering who we are, our founding story, philosophy that guides our work, and our regional presence. He also set the stage for the workshop by sharing insights into why more Japanese companies are actively expanding overseas and why Malaysia has become an attractive and strategic investment destination – which naturally led into the next part of the workshop.
Jason then walked the audience through the basics of M&A. He explained the usual business life cycle, the difference between organic and inorganic growth, and the strategic corporate options business owners could consider once their companies reach the mature stage. He also compared Initial Public Offerings (IPO) – an option that is often considered by Malaysian companies when planning their next stage of growth – versus M&A in a simple, practical way to help the team understand which path may be more suitable depending on a company’s goals and direction.
Additionally, Jason touched on the common challenges many business owners face today, such as succession concerns, limited market access, resource constraints, and difficulties securing financing for further growth. From there, he explained how M&A, especially cross-border opportunities with Japanese buyers, can help SMEs navigate these challenges by offering access to growth capital, new global markets, smoother succession transitions, stronger business continuity, and long-term value creation.
Vanessa followed with a practical deep dive into some of our successful cross-border case studies, giving the team a clearer picture of the end-to-end process of an M&A transaction – from initial discussions to deal closing. In addition to it, her presentation highlighted some of the challenges faced and the solutions during the transaction, key learnings and shared practical tips based on her experience working with Malaysian sellers and Japanese buyers.
The workshop concluded with a constructive discussion on future collaboration opportunities and how both firms can work together more closely to support the SME community in Malaysia. The discussion covered areas such as strengthening advisory capabilities, jointly educating business owners on succession and growth options, and providing more accessible, practical pathways to help SMEs ensure business continuity and long-term success.
At Nihon M&A Center Malaysia, we always value partners like CKP – firms who share the same vision and commitment as we do – to help local SMEs thrive and build a sustainable future. We believe partnerships like this not only allow us to exchange knowledge and strengthen our collective expertise but also help create a more connected network of professionals who can offer business owners the right advice at the right time. By working together, we can ensure that more Malaysian SMEs have the support, strategic options, and confidence they need to sustain and grow their business, navigate succession with clarity, and unlock new opportunities both locally and across borders.