Countdown to 2020!

[D_Y2k.2^]

Originally Posted by sepul

Singapore is unbelievable

yeah man. Small little island but can supersede the larger economies. But glad to hear the increase for Malaysia! Can't wait for the 2012

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

PM announces five measures to promote domestic direct investment
BY MAZWIN NIK ANIS
Updated: Tuesday July 3, 2012 MYT 11:09:01 AM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=202

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday announced five new measures to further promote domestic direct investment.

The measures include the setting up of a Domestic Investment Strategic Fund worth RM1bil to accelerate the participation of Malaysian-owned companies in targeted industries.

The government will also re-introduce incentives for acquiring foreign companies to enable them to acquire state-of-the-art technologies.

Malaysian-owned manufacturing companies that have been operating for about a year and have undertaken promoted products and activities under the Promotion of Investments Act are now eligible to apply for tax incentives.

Under the newly-announced measures, Malaysian-owned companies are also eligible to apply for tax incentives by increasing the eligibility shareholders' funds threshold from RM500,000 to less than RM2.5mil.

There will also be a special tax rate to encourage small Malaysian service providers to merge into larger entities.

These measures, which take effect immediately, were announced by Najib when opening the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's (Mida) headquarters and the launch of its new logo here.

RM35mil healthcare boost
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and FLORENCE A. SAMY Wednesday July 4, 2012


Number one: Najib surrounded by Mida staff members during
the launch of Mida’s new headquarters in KL Sentral.

KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Bhd, through its IHH Healthcare Bhd, will set aside RM35mil to offer fully and partially sponsored care for needy patients in Malaysia.

The money will come from its realised and targeted gain investment in IHH.

The group will set aside a total of RM50mil for needy patients, with the remaining RM15mil being split equally between Turkey and Singapore its other two home markets.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced this at the IHH's initial public offering (IPO) prospectus launch yesterday.

“This programme will assist patients who require financial assistance, to access and benefit from IHH's network of world-class doctors and medical facilities,” he said, adding that IHH also played a major role in boosting the local medical tourism industry as its hospitals were a popular destination.

Khazanah is IHH's major shareholder.

...

MDeC: Digital Malaysia expected to generate 160,000 vacancies by 2020
Friday July 6, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=202

KUALA LUMPUR: A programme to entice individuals and local enterprises to use ICT is expected to create 160,000 jobs by 2020.

Multimedia Development Cor*poration (MDeC) chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said the program, Digital Malaysia, is expected to generate RM31.1bil in investment value based on a public-private partnership model.

“The investments will be used to create 160,000 jobs, besides providing an additional RM7,000 in annual income for 350,000 citizens via digital income by 2020,” he said yesterday.

Digital Malaysia is a collaboration between the Science, Tech*nology and Innovation Ministry and MDeC that was started last year.

Deputy Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof added that individuals and local enterprises would be lured to use ICT to improve their lives through the programme.

Its main intention is to advance Malaysia into a developed digital economy by 2020.

...

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

US firm to bring FireEye software to Malaysia
Published: 2012/07/07
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...ireye/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: Fire Eye Inc, a US-based company, plans to bring in its software known as the FireEye Malware Protection Cloud (MPC) to Malaysian shores by this year.

Its founder and chief executive officer Ashar Aziz said the company is looking at expanding its presence substantially into the Asian Pacific market, including Malaysia this year.

"There are a lot of companies here that need our help. We will be happy to come in and set up our services for them for free and if we do not find anything, we will be happy to leave but that's usually not the case, we always find something," he told Business Times in an interview, recently.

...

New era for Malaysian halal standard
05 Julai 2012 | last updated at 06:27pm
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/new-era...ndard-1.103067

KUALA LUMPUR: The Halal issue in this country will no longer be a seasonal topic in the media when the new Malaysia Halal Standard is enforced by Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM).

The halal issue always receives more attention just before Ramadan and according to Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Fadillah Yusof this was due to confusion by consumers on current halal standards as many bodies are involved in this country on the matter.

"Starting from July 1, 2012, consumers can rest assured that all food sold at premises that hold JAKIM's halal logo are safe for consumption while products on the shelves of supermarkets will use the logo starting Jan 1, 2013," he said.

Speaking at the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) on Halal Standards and Conformance Infrastructure for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries here today, he said: "Not only will the enforcement of halal logo will be implimented, the ministry is also developing a system
where the authentication of the halal logo can be made using mobile phones."

Saying that there no other Muslim country in the world had set a globally accepted halal standard, Fadillah said Malaysia's halal standard is being groomed and introduced to other OIC countries to ensure all Muslim countries practise the same halal standard.

...

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Second phase of NKRA to look at public’s current concerns
By FLORENCE A.SAMY Friday July 6, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=202



Light moment: Hishammuddin, Minister at Prime Minister’s Department and CEO
of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) Datuk Seri Idris
Jala (second left) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar
(right) posing with panelists, (from left) Regional Security Officer at the
Embassy of the United States in Kuala Lumpur Timothy Leeds, Clarke,
Singapore Police Force DCP T. Raja Kumar and Tang, after the panel review meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: The second phase of the NKRA to reduce crime will address specific issues that the public is currently concerned about, including house break-ins and robberies at shopping malls.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the out-of-the-box approach would continue to be used to tackle concerns under the second phase which kicked off last month.

“The public's concern is on street crime.

“While we do not hear much about snatch thefts now, there are other areas we have to look at besides having greater police omnipresence nationwide.

He said the specific crimes that the public wants addressed will be looked into.

“This includes making policing in malls high-profile,” he said at a press conference after addressing the NKRA Reducing Crime International Panel Review meeting here yesterday.

However, Hishammuddin said a strategic approach was needed to determine if it was a widespread occurrence and to respond accordingly.

He said there was also no surge in crime but rather a shift in interest in the type of street crime, adding that the release of detainees under the Emergency Ordinance was not the cause.

On the international panel review session, Hishammuddin said they wanted to get feedback and learn from other countries in tackling crime.

Panelist Peter Clarke, who spent decades with the London Metropolitan Police, said he had witnessed the “energy, commitment and leadership” that the police and Government here were putting in to ensure “that the police were doing everything they could to work with and for the public”.

Hong Kong Police's SACP Tang How-Kong said it would not be too hard for Kuala Lumpur to be one of the most livable cities with good police service by 2020 given more time and support from the Government and community.

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Malaysia ready to take leading role in credit transfer system harmonisation project
05 Julai 2012 | Last updated at 08:40PM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/malaysi...ject-1.103111#

YOGYAKARTA: Malaysia is willing to take the leading role in the Regional Credit Transfer System Harmonisation project to facilitate the recognition of qualifications and learning and student mobility in the ASEAN region and beyond.

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Malaysia looked forward to working with East Asia Summit member countries and other regional institutions in the endeavour.

"We would like to initiate the project with any interested member states and institutions," he said at the first East Asia Summit (EAS) Education Ministers
Meeting here today.

Muhyiddin said that although much work had been done in the area of credit transfer at the ASEAN level, there was a need for a concerted initiative to
facilitate and accelerate harmonisation at the regional level.

This, he said, was because the development of internal qualifications framework and quality assurance systems in different countries was at different stages of the journey towards harmonisation.

"In this regard, we need to develop an umbrella framework on credit transfer to support the expansion of student mobility across member states and dialogue
partners," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, was here to attend the Asean Education Ministers Meeting, the Asean Plus Three Education Ministers Meeting
and EAS Education Ministers Meeting, which started yesterday. The meetings ended today.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the number of students seeking to enhance learning and experience through education abroad using various kinds of arrangements, including credit transfer systems had been on the rise.

"We note that a regional credit transfer system supports harmonisation in national higher education systems and removes unnecessary barriers to student
mobility.

"We also note that today, recognition of credits and qualifications for student mobility is further facilitated and enhanced where there are qualifications framework, quality assurance systems and supportive policies in place," he said.

Muhyiddin, who is currently on a six-day visit to Indonesia, later left for Bali where he is among others, scheduled to meet Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika as well as Malaysian students studying on the island.

On the earlier part of the visit since Tuesday, the Deputy Prime Minister had held talks with Indonesian Vice President Boediono to enhance bilateral cooperation and relations and resolve bilateral issues which often cause friction at the people-to-people level of both countries. Bernama

NS to set up secretariat of World Polynesian Malay Association
05 Julai 2012 | Last updated at 07:36PM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/ns-to-s...ation-1.103080

SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan Government is in the midst of setting up a secretariat for the World Polynesian Malay Association to enable descendents of 33 countries worldwide to get in touch with one another.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the secretariat could also be a catalyst for tourism, trade and education development, once the bond amongst the descendents was strengthened.

"I hope this good intention could be implemented, coupled with good response, with the hope that the long-lost descendents could one day be
reunited," he told reporters after officiating the International Polynesian Malay Seminar here today.

The first-ever organised two-day seminar to discuss the similarities of traditional cultural elements of the Malay culture with other countries, was attended by more than 500 participants.

The participants were from 13 Polynesian Malay countries, including South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei. Bernama

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

‘Malaysia still resilient to withstand global economic sluggishness’
Posted on June 26, 2012, Tuesday

KUCHING: Based on the latest figures on inflation, analysts are confident that the domestic situation is resilient enough to withstand the sluggishness of the global economy, especially in light of economic uneasiness befalling Europe and the US.

According to the research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research), inflation in May eased to its slowest pace since June 2010, with the general price level having increased by 1.7 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) – making it in line with market expectations.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06...#ixzz1zzbTbq7n

Malaysia among the highest in dividend payouts
by Justin Yap, justinyap@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 27, 2012, Wednesday

KUCHING: Malaysia is now the second largest dividend payout country with 48.9 per cent recorded ratio after Taiwan (83.5 per cent) within the Asia ex-Japan region.

Malaysia was followed by the Philippines with 44.8 per cent, Singapore (43.4 per cent), Thailand (42.9 per cent), Indonesia (40.1 per cent) and Hong Kong (37.4 per cent), all having above-average payouts.

On a fundamental basis, dividends work well in Asia since it aligns the minority shareholder with the majority shareholder such as the family owners, said Markus Rosgen chief Asian strategist at Citigroup Inc.

“The other reason is that as an investment strategy, it is still rather ‘undiscovered’, with only 1.8 per cent of funds investing on an income basis in Asia ex-Japan versus 11 per cent to 18 per cent in developed markets,” he added.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06...#ixzz1zzbx5uL8

Malaysia is leading export nation to Germany in Asean
Posted on June 25, 2012, Monday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06...many-in-asean/

FRANKFURT: Despite a decline in exports to Germany, Malaysia retained its position as the leading export nation to that country in the first quarter of 2012.

According to the Hamburg-based Asia Pacific Business Council, Malaysia’s exports to Germany in the first quarter amounted to 1.36 billion euros, down 17.4 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year.
The Asia Pacific Business Council comprises members who are all German companies dealing with or having any industrial or business dealings with the Asia Pacific region.

German exports to Malaysia in the same three-month period of 2012 rose to 1.255 billion euros, up 18 per cent from the same period of the previous year.
In respect of imports from Germany, Malaysia is placed second behind Singapore within the Asean group.

Total exports by Asean member states was at 6.653 billion euros in the first quarter of the year, up 23.1 per cent over the same period from the previous year.

Total German exports to the Asean member states amounted to 5.091 billion euros, up 11.2 per cent from the same period previously.
Imports from the entire Asia-Pacific region at 39.678 billion Euros, down 2.3 per cent over the corresponding period previously while German exports to the region rose to 37.919 billion euros, up 8.7 per cent. — Bernama

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Labuan and Korea bilateral ties to be strengthened further
Posted on July 2, 2012, Monday

LABUAN: The Federal Territory of Labuan is ready to become partners with South Korea in the oil and gas and, financial sectors.

Member of Parliament Datuk Yussof Mahal said bilateral relations between Labuan and South Korea was ready to enter a new phase of active cooperation at the international level.

“Malaysia, especially Labuan, is proud a three-member South Korean delegation, led by the South Korea Ambassador to Malaysia Yong Joon Lee, is now here to look into the possibility of investment opportunities on the island,” he told Bernama.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07...#ixzz1zzczirLI

Malaysia signs MoU with Japan on higher education
Posted on July 7, 2012, Saturday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07...her-education/

SEPANG: Malaysia and Japan today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of higher education.

The MoU was signed by Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Hirofumi Hirano, at a hotel here.

The Ministry of Higher Education said in a statement the MoU was aimed at promoting technical cooperation in several areas and includes exchange of academic staff, teachers, trainees, experts and students, information on the system and structure of higher education, reforms and new educational technologies and any other areas of cooperation that are mutually beneficial.

As of December last year, a total of 1,689 Malaysians were studying in Japan, whereby 1,641 of them were government-sponsored and the remaining 48 were privately-sponsored.

Also, 86 Japanese are studying in Malaysia, whereby 28 of them are in public higher education institutions and the remaining 58 in private higher education institutions.

Mohamed Khaled and Hirano earlier had a closed-door meeting.
Hirano arrived yesterday on a two-day visit in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of Malaysia’s ‘Look East’ Policy of emulating work ethics and business techniques from Japan. — Bernama

[nazrey]

Originally Posted by nazrey

Japan keen to cooperate in assisting Malaysia to realise developed nation status by 2020
Posted on April 27, 2011, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=126397

KUALA LUMPUR: Japan would like to cooperate as much as possible with Malaysia in assisting this country to realise its Vision 2020 to be fully developed nation as well becoming a high income country, its outgoing Ambassador to Malaysia Masahiko Horie said yesterday.

Horie said that this would be especially in the area of environment and energy where Japanese companies would try to assist by undertaking businesses in these sectors and adding that education was another sector of cooperation.

He said that currently there were many contracts and agreements going on between Japanese and Malaysian companies in the area of new renewable energy and biofuel.

Horie said Japan was also supporting efforts to make Putrajaya and Cyberjaya more environmental friendly and reducing Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, which is the chief greenhouse gas that results from human activities and causes global warming and climate change.

“Discussions are going on with the stakeholders of Putrajaya and Japanese companies through this NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) and with the Japanese METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) and the Japanese government.

“So they are discussing how to make Putrajaya more environmentally soft and emission of CO2 lower than today,” he said in a farewell press conference at his residence, here.

On Education, Horie said the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) which will open its doors in September this year, was a significant culmination of the Look East Policy, mooted by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said out of some 250 teaching staff of the MJIIT which is to be based in Kuala Lumpur, about 41 will be from Japan.

The ambassador said that one professor from Japan was already here and another six would be coming later.

Horie said that CEOs of Japanese companies would be giving leadership and other lectures to the students here and the students would also be given the opportunity to visit Japanese manufacturing plants and companies to better learn the system there.

Describing the bilateral relations as solid in many fields, he said that the Look East Policy had laid a very strong bond between the two countries.

Horie, who is leaving for Japan on April 28 after serving for three years and seven months, said the visit by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Japan in April last year was very meaningful as both Najib and his Japanese counterpart had jointly presented the Japan-Malaysia Joint Leaders Statement, ‘Enhanced Partnership for a new Frontier’, covering all aspects of bilateral issues.

Horie, who will assume the post of an advisor to Japanese Foreign Minister upon returing to Japan, said that he would like the Japanese to learn from Malaysia, because Malaysia was a country with a very open society, friendly and very much internationalised.

“I have learnt a lot during my stay in Malaysia.Upon my return to Japan, it will be my pleasure to tell the Japanese people to ‘Look West’ and learn from Malaysia,” said Horie who wished he had a longer stay in Malaysia.

He said that for the last five years, Malaysia had become the most popular country for the Japanese people such as pensioners and retired bussinessmen.

“I am confident that five years from now Malaysia will continue to be the number one most popular country among our retirees.

The people are so friendly. I will be missing the whole of this country,” he said.

On the triple disaster, he said the reconstruction and recovery process had already started and the Japanese people were more united than before and were confident they would able to overcome the difficulties they were facing now, although it would take a longer time to recover fully.

Horie also said that he was really overwhelmed by the support and solidarity shown by all segments of Malaysians in the aftermath of the devastating tragedy, with many donations pouring in until now.

He said despite the ongoing problem, japan was a safe country to visit and all measures were being taken to ensure the food, vegatables and fruits were free from radioactive elements.

“I feel very proud of what I had achieved (during my tenure here). I am looking forward to coming back to Malaysia when the opportunity arises so as to contribute to its further development,” said Horie who promised to continue to promote Malaysia to the Japanese people. — Bernama

Originally Posted by nazrey

Japan assurance on support for Malaysia’s Vision 2020
Posted on October 14, 2011, Friday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/10...s-vision-2020/

PUTRAJAYA: Japan has expressed its desire to continue supporting Malaysia towards achieving developed nation status in line with Vision 2020, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said yesterday.

He said the assurance was conveyed by Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba at their meeting here.

Anifah said Japan also expressed interest to participate in various infrastructure projects in Malaysia, such as the smart community, water supply, sewerage and renewable energy projects where Japan’s expertise and advanced technology could be utilised.

“I briefed Foreign Minister Gemba on the various economic reforms being undertaken by the government towards achieving the targets of Vision 2020, including the New Economic Model (NEM), the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP),” he said in a joint statement. — Bernama

demonstrates the commitment of the new Japanese government to enhance, expand and deepen its bilateral relations and cooperation with Malaysia, and both parties have agreed to continue to work closely on issues of mutual interest at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

He said Japan views Malaysia as one of the top priority partners in Southeast Asia and therefore looks forward to enhancing ties with Malaysia in a wide range of areas of cooperation.

“On my part, I gave my assurance to Foreign Minister Gemba that Malaysia would remain a reliable friend and partner of Japan in the region and the world. Malaysia would continue to be committed to strengthening and expanding the existing excellent relations with Japan,” he said.

Anifah said the significant contribution of Malaysia’s “Look East” policy to Malaysia-Japan relations was also discussed at the meeting, and both parties agreed that the 30th anniversary of the policy next year is worth celebrating since it is an important element in the development of Malaysia-Japan bilateral relations.

He said they also discussed the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) in Malaysia which would immortalise Malaysia-Japan cooperation in the field of human resource development and capacity building, which augurs well for bilateral relations in the long term.

MJIIT, which offers four degree and post-graduate programmes to Malaysian students, began its session last month with an enrolment of 130 students who can pursue courses on Electronic Systems Engineering, Precision Mechanical Engineering, Green Technology and Environment, and Technology and Business Management.

Seven professors specially sent by the Japanese government help with the transfer of knowledge at MJIIT, which was set up on the initiative of the Malaysian and Japanese governments after the visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Japan in April last year.

Meanwhile, Gemba said Japan intends to closely collaborate with Malaysia within the frameworks of regional cooperation to contribute together to regional stability and prosperity.

“The key pillar of the foreign policy I am pursuing is to build a prosperous and stable order in the Asia-Pacific region underpinned by democratic values. I am confident that my visit to Malaysia is the first step toward realisation of the goal,” he said.

This is Gemba’s first official visit to Malaysia since he became the foreign minister on Sept 2.

Japan hopes MJIIT will boost ties with M’sia
Posted on July 8, 2012, Sunday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07...#ixzz1zzfLNenI



NICE MEETING YOU:
Hirano talking to students welcoming him at the MJIIT. Dr Zaini is at left. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Japan hopes the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) would be a strong foundation to further develop relations between Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur.

Japan Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Hirofumi Hirano said yesterday the establishment of MJIIT was a significant culmination of the “Look East” Policy which was introduced over 30 years ago.

Hirano also expressed confidence that through cooperation between Japan and Malaysia, the MJIIT would become a centre of engineering excellence in Asia where Japanese-style engineering education would take place in this country.

“To achieve that, we will increase the number of universities that supported the MJIIT programmes,” he told reporters after visiting the MJIIT building in the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur campus, here.
Also present were UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang and Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia Shigeru Nakamura.

Up to today, MJIIT programmes are strongly supported by 22 Japanese universities and five associate members from government agencies and industries.

MJIIT was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on June 1 and the idea of setting up such an institution was conceived by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Japan’s former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in November 2001.

Meanwhile, Prof Zaini said that through MJIIT, both academics and students had the advantage of engaging in strategic alliances for enhanced social and professional relations towards a vibrant learning experience and also an intellectual eco-system.

“More significantly, Japan-based industrial linkages give opportunities for more industrial engagement.

This allows both academics and students to use their experience as part of their studies and research in effective ways,” he said.

According to Prof Zaini, MJIIT aims to have 2,700 students within seven years, with 40 per cent of the students foreign.

Currently, there are 65 undergraduate students and 54 post-graduate students at MJIIT.

MJIIT offers two undergraduate programmes, namely Bachelor in Mechanical Precision Engineering and Bachelor in Electronic Systems Engineering, as well as the post-graduate level Master of Philosophy (MPhil) by Research.— Bernama

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

M'sia conducts study on manpower needs with world bank
Last updated on 9 July 2012 - 06:22pm
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/429372

KUALA LUMPUR (June 9, 2012): The government is conducting a two-year study on the country's manpower needs in collaboration with the World Bank, said Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said a database on all sectors, including in which sectors foreign workers were needed, would be developed from the study which started early this year and expected to end at the end of next year.

The study will help assist the government in planning the workforce requirement and the kind of training needed to prepare the people for the job market, he added.

...

M'sia will be an ageing nation in 18 years
Last updated on 11 July 2012 - 06:08pm
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/432129

KUALA LUMPUR (July 11, 2012): Malaysia is set to become an ageing nation by the year 2030 and it will pose a challenge to the government, said Deputy Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Datuk Heng Seai Kie.

This is due to 15 per cent of the country's population turning 60 and above in the next 18 years, she said.

She compared Malaysia to Europe, saying it would take the nation only 26 years to reach such a status instead of a hundred-year span it took in the continent.

"This means we (Malaysia) would reach this status even before becoming a fully developed nation," she told reporters after launching the 'International Conference on Population Ageing: Issues and Challenges' at University Malaya, here today.

...

InvestKL says more MNCs coming
Posted on 11 July 2012 - 08:36am Eva Yeong
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/431395

KUALA LUMPUR (July 11, 2012): InvestKL Malaysia is confident of attracting more multinationals to invest in Greater Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley despite the competitive and challenging global economy due to encouraging investor sentiment, said its CEO Zainal Amanshah.

"Investor sentiment is good because this region is the growth area. If you read the recent Unctad 2012 World Investment Report, the growth in Asia and Southeast Asia is a very strong proposition for companies in the US, Europe or Japan," he said.

Speaking at the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between AECOM Technology Corp, MIGHT-METEOR Advanced Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) yesterday, Zainal said Malaysia has a strong proposition comprising cost competitiveness, talent availability with employable local graduates, livability, ease of doing business, a pro-business government and politically stable environment.

InvestKL is a government entity that has been mandated to attract, facilitate and service multinational companies (MNCs) into Greater KL and the Klang Valley. Since its inception in mid-2011, it has attracted six MNCs to invest in Malaysia, with AECOM being the sixth. It targets to attract 100 MNCs by 2020.

"There is a lot more in the pipeline. We're very serious about making KL, Greater KL and Malaysia a talent hub, driven by the economic activity in the country as well as the region. There will be other initiatives. This is the first of many," Zainal said.

He said InvestKL is in talks with several companies, especially those in services, and these projects will create more high-income jobs.

"It's not just having headquarter operations. The proposition of KL is that they can come and set up not just headquarters, not just manufacturing but centres of excellence, knowledge centres, for example back office operations. These are the types of high skill, high income activities we are looking at," he said, adding some of the deals are likely to be finalised in the second half of the year.

Zainal also said some interest is coming from the US while Europe is very selective. Other priority countries include the UK, Germany and France, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

He said InvestKL is also talking to Japanese companies which are looking to expand to Asean. "Other countries are maybe Korea and China, but the ones I mentioned earlier on are the priority for us and seem to have more interest," he said.

Yesterday, AECOM signed two MoUs — with MIGHT-METEOR and UPM.

The MoU with MIGHT-METEOR will see selected engineering graduates employed by AECOM undergoing the prescribed Technology Specialist in Specific Domain Expertise programme with mentorship and guidance by AECOM.

The MoU with UPM will see the exchange of staff for teaching and industry placements, as well as collaboration in research and innovation and commercialisation programmes.

http://www.investkl.gov.my/

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Japanese investments benefit Malaysia most
Published: 2012/07/13
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia's financial system has greatly benefited from Japanese investments through expertise transfer, knowledge,
technology and enhanced economic inter-linkages, Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said today.

She said Malaysia welcomed the continued participation of Japanese financial institutions in the domestic financial sector and in the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre.

As at last month, there are four commercial banks, four insurance companies, one reinsurance company and one joint-venture takaful operator from Japan operating in Malaysia, she said when opening the Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi (M) Bhd Penang branch.

...

IHH Healthcare raises over RM5b
By GOH THEAN EU Published: 2012/07/13
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

WORLD'S THIRD LARGEST IPO: Healthcare operator prices shares at RM2.80 apiece

IHH Healthcare Bhd, the largest hospital operator in Asia, has raised over RM5 billion after the company priced its shares at RM2.80 apiece.

IHH, via filings to Bursa Malaysia Bhd, said it had fixed the cornerstone, institutional and final retail price for its concurrent listing on Malaysia and Singapore bourses at RM2.80, which is at the upper end of the indicative range of RM2.67-2.85 per share. This was done after the completion of the bookbuilding process.



...

Moody's sees stable outlook for Malaysia's banking sector
Updated: Thursday July 12, 2012 MYT 2:57:30 PM
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

KUALA LUMPUR: Moody's Investors Service says the outlook for Malaysia's banking system in the next 12 to 18 months is stable while it expects GDP to expand at a slower pace of 4% this year from 5.1% last year.

A Moody's analyst, Simon Chen said on Thursday the Malaysian government's expansionary policies would support credit growth, despite a slowing economy due to lower demand for exports from the country's main trading partners -- the US, Europe and China.

"Government spending this year will total 26% of GDP, on commercial and fiscal projects that will attract private sector investment, and provide support to domestic business activities and employment. We expect loans to grow by between 9% and 11%, which is slightly lower than the 14% growth recorded in 2011," he said.

He was speaking in Singapore at the release of a new Moody's report entitled "Banking System Outlook: Malaysia". The report was based on the central scenario that Malaysia's economy will grow at a slower, yet robust pace of 4.0% this year, from 5.1% last year.

...

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

CIMB excludes Royal Bank of Scotland’s Indian operations
Friday July 13, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

PETALING JAYA: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd announced that it will exclude The Royal Bank of Scotland's (RBS') Indian operations from its earlier sale and purchase agreement for RBS' various Asia Pacific cash equities and investment banking businesses.

CIMB said in a statement that the termination of the proposed sale of RBS' Indian operations was caused by an unexpected legal issue, which arose in connection with the sale of the Indian businesses by RBS.

Earlier in April, CIMB has announced its agreement to acquire most of RBS' Asia Pacific cash equities and associated investment banking businesses for an initial cost of 173.9mil pounds (RM894.4mil). Now that the Indian portion of the agreement has been terminated, CIMB's total acquisition cost will be reduced to around 160mil pounds (RM781mil).

Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said, “We remain committed to having an Indian component to our Asia Pacific Investment Banking platform. We see this as a temporary delay in our Indian build-up as we will now have to follow the same process as Korea, which was excluded from the RBS transaction from the outset, and proceed to establish our own operation by applying for a new licence or purchasing an entity with an existing licence.”

The main part of the acquisition from RBS, which involved operations in China and Hong Kong as well as their London and New York-based staff, was completed on June 30. The transfer of operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand was completed on April 27. The remaining operations in Australia and Taiwan are on schedule to be complete in the fourth quarter this year.

Malaysia will be protected from Eurozone crisis: PM
14 July 2012 | last updated at 06:15PM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/malaysi...s-pm-1.107375#

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Prime Minister today expressed his confidence that Malaysia would be protected from the effects of the European Union's debt crisis.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak attributed his confidence to Malaysia's fundamentally stable economy which could support its growth.

"Malaysia's fundamentally stable economy supports its growth. Our country will be protected from the Eurozone crisis," said Najib, who is also Finance Minister, on Twitter today.

Yesterday, Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz said Malaysia's financial institution's were strong enough to face the impact of Europe's debt crisis following revelations that the European banks' exposure was estimated at less than five percent of the zone's Gross Domestic Product.

The statement also denied a Nomura International Ltd report last Wednesday which stated Malaysia was among the most exposed Asian country to European banks , making it vulnerable to any economic collapse there. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Carmaker will invest RM160mil to upgrade Rawang plant
Thursday July 19, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

KUALA LUMPUR: Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) will invest RM160mil to upgrade its plant in Rawang, Selangor.

Managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said the funds would be internally generated.

“We won't need an IPO (initial public offering). We're in a healthy cash position,” he said at a briefing.

...

PNB attracts investments for 9.95 billion units
Thursday July 19, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

MALACCA: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) succeeded in attracting net investments for 9.95 billion units through its nine unit trust funds in the first six months of this year.

Chief executive officer and group president Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman said the amount was the result of the implementation of investment educational programmes undertaken by the company since 2000.

...

Malaysia remains world’s 3rd best global services location
By DAVID TAN Thursday July 19, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is ranked the world's third best global services location for eight years in a row.

Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) global sourcing cluster division director Michael Warren said this rank was based on the latest AT Kearney Global Services Location Index 2004-2011 report.

...

Jalur Lebar to invest RM850m in hi-speed broadband infrastructure
By John Loh Published: Thursday July 19, 2012 MYT 4:16:00 PM
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

KUALA LUMPUR: Jalur Lebar Nasional Sdn Bhd (Jalenas) has signed an MoU with Metroverse Sdn Bhd that would see Jalenas investing RM850mil over five years on high speed broadband infrastructure using technology distributed by Metroverse.

...

Top Glove to spend RM3b on capex
Published: 2012/07/19
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Top Glove Corp Bhd plans to invest RM3 billion over the next 15 years to further expand its production capacity.

In a statement today, Top Glove said it would invest in advanced and high technology production facilities as well as in research and development, upstream and downstream activities.

"The investment has been recognised as an Entry Point Project by Performance Management and Delivery Unit, under the Economic Transformation Programme by the government," it said.

...

Towards more competitive capital market
By Adeline Paul Raj Published: 2012/07/19



Malaysia plans to set up a mercantile exchange within a year to enable investors to trade in gold futures and other precious metals.

The move, part of a slew of new initiatives announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday to boost the capital market, follows strong demand from Malaysians to have an additional asset class to invest in.

"The government would like to ensure that such investments are done in a safer, transparent and structured environment," Najib said after launching the country's private retirement scheme (PRS) initiative.

...

[nazrey]

International reserves at RM429.4bil
Saturday July 21, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara’s international reserves amounted to RM429.4bil (equivalent to US$134.4bil) as at July 13.

The reserves position was sufficient to finance 9.4 months of retained imports and was 4.3 times the short-term external debt, said the central bank in a statement.

It said the main components of the international reserves were foreign currencies (US$121.2bil), International Monetary Fund reserves (US$800mil), Special Drawing Rights (US$1.9bil), gold (US$1.9bil) and other reserves assets (US$8.6bil).

The central bank’s total assets, including international reserves, stood at RM479.72bil.

Its other assets included the Malaysian government papers (RM2.13bil), deposits with financial institutions (RM29.13bil), loans and advances (RM10.21bil), and other assets (RM8.86bil). — Bernama

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Eurofighter consortium ready to invest RM6.3bil in Malaysia
Saturday July 21, 2012
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...&if_height=202

LONDON: Eurofighter consortium, lead by BAE Systems, is ready to invest RM6.3bil in offset programmes designed specifically for Malaysia within the next five years.

BAE Systems' senior industrial partnerships and offset manager, Mike Perret, said the group had collectively invested RM3.5bil over the last five years in Malaysia.

...

Labuan to emerge as halal distribution hub
Last updated on 21 July 2012 - 05:15pm
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/442448

LABUAN (July 21, 2012): Labuan can boost of a halal distribution hub which will begin operations early next year and be on par with other halal centres in the Asian region.

Construction of phase one of the Kiamsam-based RM86 million project began in March 2009 and was nearing completion while the second phase would be implemented in stages and have numerous economic spin-offs especially to the small-and-medium entrepreneurs.

The hub, a collaborative initiative by Labuan Corporation, Marditech Corporation Sdn Bhd and the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing, is managed by Labuan Halal Distribution Hub.

...

[nazrey]

Budget 2013 to focus on people's welfare
15 July 2012 | last updated at 09:19PM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/budget-...fare-1.107859#

JASIN: Budget 2013, which will be presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on September 28, will focus on balanced and meaningful growth as well as the welfare of the people.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said it would include an increased focus on rural development without marginalising urban development.

"We (the ministry) are still open to receiving suggestions from Malaysians on Budget 2013 until the end of the month.

"After that, the ministry will go through all the suggestions and all input received will be presented to Najib as the First Finance Minister," he said after opening the Umno delegates meeting for the Jasin division at Merlimau Polytechnic, near here, yesterday.

Also present were Jasin parliamentary representative Datuk Wira Ahmad Hamzah, who is also the Umno division chief; his deputy Datuk Mohd Said Yusof; Secretary Datuk Ghazale Muhamad and former Universiti Teknologi Mara vice-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah.

Until now the Finance Ministry has received 84 memorandums which will be considered in the Budget 2013 discussion while specific issues will be examined by a number of smaller focus groups.

[patchay]

Malaysia's 132 steel companies urged to merge
By Zaidi Isham Ismail | Business Times | July 28, 2012

WAY TO GO: M&As with domestic and regional counterparts will ensure long-term survival

MALAYSIA’S 132 steel players must embark on mergers and acquisitions (M&As) among themselves as well as with their regional counterparts to ensure their long-term survival and competitiveness.

Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation president Datuk Soh Thian Lai said consolidation is the way to go as it will ensure a more efficient industry, greater economies of scale, good synergies, cost-savings, stronger bargaining power, firmer marketing activities and closer technical collaboration.

“The industry has to merge due to an influx of steel products from China and India in the market and prepare for strong future growth, which is forecast at between three and five per cent this year,” Soh told reporters at a media briefing and industry updates here yesterday.

Soh said as an example, China alone produces 10 million tonnes of steel products a week, which is equivalent to Malaysia’s annual production. The sheer size of China alone is daunting to the widely fragmented local industry which needs to beef up its own strength.

Malaysia has some 10 big steel players such as the Lion Group, Perwaja and KYM.

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

M’sia’s debt still manageable, says Idris Jala
Posted on July 25, 2012, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07...ys-idris-jala/

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s debt is still manageable as it is below 55 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) ratio, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

He said the 53.8 per cent of national debt for last year was within the range as the government continued its efforts to bring down the fiscal deficit level.

“With the implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme, we are on the right trajectory and continue to reduce the deficit level every year.

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More IPOs coming, says Bursa chief
Last updated on 25 July 2012 - 11:27pm
Premalatha Jayaraman
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/446757

KUALA LUMPUR (July 26, 2012): More initial public offerings (IPOs) are coming down the pipe for the rest of the year although their size won't match those of Felda Global Venture Holdings Bhd and IHH Healthcare Bhd, Bursa Malaysia Bhd CEO Datuk Tajuddin Atan said.

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Malaysia now big global player in healthcare industry: PM
28 July 2012 | last updated at 05:54PM
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/malaysi...y-pm-1.114356#



KUALA LUMPUR -- Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia is now a big global player in the healthcare industry following the dual public listing of IHH Healthcare Bhd on the Malaysia and Singapore stock exchanges.

"Malaysia is now a big global player in healthcare following the dual public listing of IHH Healthcare Bhd in M'sia & S'pore stock exchanges," the Prime Minister said in his latest tweet today.

IHH, the healthcare arm of Malaysia's state investor, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, was listed on Bursa Malaysia and the Singapore Exchange last Wednesday.

IHH's assests include Turkish Hospital Group Acibadem AS, Singapore's Parkway Holdings, India's Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd and Malaysia-based Pantai Hospitals and International Medical University (IMU).

It controls 83 hospitals in these countries, making it the world's second largest hospital operator after Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), which runs 163 hospitals. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

PM: States richer with takeover
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS Friday August 3, 2012
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...&if_height=202



Money matters: Najib with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni
Hanadzlah, Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan
Abdullah (left) before the National Finance Council meeting in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: The finances of certain states have improved with lower borrowings and better repayment of loans to the Federal Government mainly because their water assets have been handed over to the Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said state borrowings from the federal administration declined by 8.4% from RM19.1bil in 2010 to RM17.5bil last year.

Repayment of loans by the states also saw marked improvement with RM790.6mil paid last year compared to RM434.1mil in 2010.

“In some states, their finances are better after they handed over the water assets. With the move, they can provide more (to the people and to repay loans),” he said after chairing the National Finance Council.

To date, PAAB had taken over loans for water supply projects involving five states amounting to RM3.49bil Penang (RM655.2mil); Perlis (RM75.1mil), Negri Sembilan (RM1.12bil), Malacca (RM764.2mil) and Johor (RM873.7mil).

Najib, also the Finance Minister, said a laboratory would be set up in October to determine why some states were not spending allocations to carry out road maintenance.

He said that last year, some RM2.59bil was channelled but most states did not fully utilise the allocation.

“This situation needs to be rectified to ensure the safety and comfort of road users. All state governments will be involved in the laboratory to identify why some states have not been spending (on road maintenance) the way they should.

“From the outcome of the laboratory, we will also formulate a guideline for the states to follow.

“After this, any state that fails to manage well the Federal Government's allocation for road maintenance may see the amount given to them reduced,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet committee on Selangor's water problems held its second meeting here yesterday chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

On the agenda was the tender for the Langat 2 treatment plant and the contingency plan to deal with the possible water shortage in Selangor.

The committee held its first meeting on July 23 and decided to push for the construction of the plant to start as soon as possible.

[nazrey]

NEWS UPDATE:

Germans say Malaysia one of the most attractive investment spots
BY Cheryl Yvonne Achu Published: 2012/08/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...rmsia/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR: German companies remain optimistic about Malaysia's economic and business prospects.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) executive director Alexander Stedtfeld said Germany's investment in Malaysia was expected to remain broad based as it has been all along.

"Malaysia is one of the most attractive business destinations with a business friendly environment, competitive cost structure, a well-skilled workforce as well as a base for regional activities," Stedtfeld said.

He said the investment trend is expected to continue in electrical and electronics, medical equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and specialised industries such as industrial adhesives, machinery, automotive and original equipment manufacture.

He added that the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement, currently under negotiation, will provide an additional push to the country.

In a media briefing here yesterday, Stedtfeld said trade between Malaysia and Germany was expected to reach euro12.5 billion (RM47.89 billion) this year, up from euro11.3 billion (RM43.29 billion) recorded last year.

Based on the latest Asean Business Climate Survey 2012 conducted by MGCC member companies in the region, sales volumes were satisfactory for 54 per cent of businesses and no major shifts were noted in the company's overall situation in the first quarter 2012.

Malaysia comes out on top for positive company situation with 62.5 per cent better, but at the same time, the country scores the highest value in a decline over the past 12 months with 18.8 per cent.

"When compared to the same period last year, businesses in Malaysia saw an improvement in the overall situation of their business," Stedtfeld said.

As Malaysia continues to strive towards becoming a high-income nation by focusing on innovation-led growth, Stedtfeld said 82 per cent of respondents in Malaysia saw an increase in the number of workers and expect it to increase yet again in the next 12 months.

The survey also found that 50 per cent of respondents in Malaysia felt that the overall economy would be maintained in next 12 months, while 30 per cent of them expected it to get better.

The survey was conducted among MGCC member companies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam focusing on business confidence, growth intentions and investments within the country in the past year and the year ahead.

Among the key findings, 63 per cent of the companies expect their overall situation to be better by the end of the next 12 months and 59 per cent of them expect capital expenditure to be higher.

A majority of the companies surveyed also stated that the availability of skilled labour was a major factor influencing a company's engagement in the respective country.

Stedtfeld said Asean is one of the most dynamic economic regions with significant growth potential.

German firm to double investment in M'sia
Published: 2012/08/09
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

KUALA LUMPUR: Germany-based Union Investment Real Estate
is confident of doubling its investments in Malaysia, from the current RM440 million.

"We are optimistic about the medium term growth prospect of Malaysia's real estate, which explains our investment in Malaysia," its managing director, Ulrich Dischler told reporters here today.

In 2007, Union Investment entered the Malaysian market by acquiring Cap Square Tower in Kuala Lumpur from Bandar Raya Development Bhd for RM440 million.

"Cap Square Tower is an important investment for the fund, as it is in line with our strategy to grow our Asian portfolio, through yield accretive acquisitions in stable markets which are supported by sound economic fundamentals," he said, adding that the building currently enjoyed 40 per cent occupancy.

He said Union Investment was also confident of earning a green building index certificate next year for its Cap Square Tower.

Dischler said Malaysia's sound economic fundamentals augured well for its real estate sector and that it was one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

...

Japanese investments to roll in
By Roziana Hamsawi Published: 2012/08/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html



THE Northern Implementation Authority (NCIA) expects Japanese firms to contribute a fourth to its targeted RM12 billion investments this year.

NCIA chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq said since last year, the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) has seen a substantial influx of Japanese participation in the growth corridor, reflecting the flow of Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia.

Last year alone saw Japan registered the highest FDI into the country, amounting to US$3.2 billion (RM10 billion).

"We target Japanese companies to contribute 25 per cent to our NCER FDI target of RM12 billion this year," he told reporters after the document exchange ceremony between NCIA and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Malaysia) Bhd (BTMU) here yesterday.

The signing of the memorandum of agreement was witnessed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Redza said foreign participation formed over 90 per cent of the activities in NCER, which up until last year has recorded RM15.3 billion in terms of FDI - the highest among all the development corridors in the country.

Most of the FDI, he said came from the US, Europe and Japan.

NCIA's collaboration with BTMU is expected to increase the investment activities of Japanese companies in the northern states and at the same time promote partnership between Malaysian and Japanese entrepreneurs.

The NCIA has been collaborating with various companies that are either from Japan or have links to Japanese entities. Among them are Boon Siew Honda, Global Outreach Energy, JPB Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Toyo Tyres, Panasonic solar, Hanan Corp, Fuji Logistics and DreamEdge Sdn Bhd.

BTMU, which began operating in Penang last month, provides general banking, specialised products such as supply-chain financing, and trade-related transactional banking solutions.

Its chief executive officer Masato Nakamura said BTMU expects rapid growth in the northern region due to its strategic location and the determination shown by the NCIA in promoting NCER to the world.

"The bank and NCIA will jointly organise seminars to introduce Malaysia to Japanese and global investors and also promote investment by matching businesses between Malaysia and Japan," he said.

Nor Mohamed, meanwhile, in his speech said the Malaysian government will continue to accelerate efforts at promoting Malaysia as a prime destination for FDI.

He said Malaysia ranked as the 21st most competitive economies in the world last year, while among Asian countries, it stood at the 5th place.

He added that while NCER registered the largest number of investments in projects last year, other development corridors have been successful in attracting new investments.

The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy has scored RM8.2 billion worth of investments, Iskandar Malaysia RM5.7 billion, the East Coast Economic Region RM4.6 billion and the Sabah Development Corridor RM900 million.

Also present at the event were Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Shigeru Nakamura and the consul general in Penang Tetsuro Kai.

RM1b to rev up Proton City
AUDREY DERMAWAN Published: 12/08/09
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html



BOOSTING DEVELOPMENT: DRB-HICOM’s five-year plan includes building a new commercial hub and a secondary school

DRB-HICOM Bhd will invest RM1 billion to bolster development at Proton City in Tanjung Malim, Perak, in the next five years.

A new commercial hub, a secondary school and other facilities will be developed at the 1,618ha site, located north of Tanjung Malim.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said Proton City will also be a production site soon for at least two more brands, besides Proton.

Zambry said for the last 15 years, development at Proton City had slowed down. Only 30 per cent of the area set aside for Proton City has been fully developed.

Brazilian firm to invest US$6b in Malaysia
Published: 2012/08/09
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

KUALA LUMPUR: Economic ties between Malaysia and Brazil are set to soar following the move by Brazilian conglomerate, EBX Group, to commit US$6 billion for fast-tracked high impact strategic foreign direct investments (FDI) into Malaysia.

This follows a 30-minute telephone conversation between Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, where they discussed cementing ties between both countries through significant long-term smart partnerships and fast-tracked high impact strategic investments.

Brazil is the largest national economy in South America with a population of over 192 million.

During the call between the two leaders last night, Rousseff expressed confidence in Najib’s leadership and his good handling of the Malaysian economy.

He said that Brazil will strongly encourage its companies to invest in strategic high-impact FDI projects in Malaysia, given the country's good growth potential as a result of sound economic policies.

Echoing Rousseff's positive view on Malaysia, EBX Group's Chairman Eike Batista paid a courtesy call on Najib in Putrajaya earlier today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, was joined by the Minister in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Tan Sri Nor Mohammed Yakcop and Petronas president and chief executive officer, Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

...

[davidwsk]

Published: Monday August 13, 2012 MYT 12:57:00 PM

Germany's Seeburger makes KL its Asean regional HQ

By Ng Bei Shan


KUALA LUMPUR: Germany's business integration and managed file transfer solutions provider Seeburger is setting up its Asean regional headquarters in Malaysia to drive its strategic expansion into the region.

Malaysia was chosen as its Asean hub due to lower operational costs, central geographic location, local information, communication techonolgy market's maturity and local potential.

"Malaysia shows its leadership in the area of data security with its impending Info Security Management System Certification enforcement in 2013," said Seeburger Asia Pacific Ltd regional director James Hatcher.

With the headquaters in Kuala Lumpur, the move would facilitate its regional partners in sales support and technical implementation.

Seeburger's partners in Malaysia, Time Engineering Bhd and Datamation (M) Sdn Bhd, will concentrate on providing its business integration suite to the local industries.


http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...5&sec=business