On April 20, 2017, MARC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enter into a strategic partnership with Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd (JCR). The MOU sets out the framework for future cooperation between the two credit rating agencies in facilitating cross-border debt issuances by Japan and Malaysia-domiciled issuers as well as investment in the cross-border securities offerings in their respective debt markets.

JCR is a leading credit rating agency in Japan with more than 60% coverage of Japanese companies that solicit credit ratings. JCR’s global scale ratings are recognised in the US and European Union as it is registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and certified by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), respectively.

Both MARC and JCR have been expanding their respective global footprints by actively building networks with other credit rating agencies through similar strategic alliances. MARC presently has ties with JCR's partner in India, CARE Ratings and Pakistan-based JCR-VIS Credit Rating Co. Ltd, a company in which JCR has an investment. MARC and CARE Ratings are also the founding members of Europe-based and ESMA-certified rating agency, ARC Ratings S.A. MARC currently provides technical assistance to Bahrain-based Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) and Bangladesh-based domestic rating agency Emerging Credit Rating Ltd (ECRL).

Prior to this MOU, MARC had entered into a similar collaborative partnership with JCR Eurasia Rating, a Turkey-based credit rating agency, in which JCR also has an investment.

For more information about the strategic partnership, please contact: Ahmad Feizal, +603-2082 2211 / feizal@marc.com.my