Malaysia - Countries of the World

[nazrey]

Turkey hopes to start trade talks by April
Published: 2010/01/25

TURKEY hopes to initiate Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Malaysia by April this year after a very positive exploratory talks between the two countries recently.

"Hopefully by April, we will launch the FTA negotiations," Director-General of European Union Affairs at the Undersecretariat of Prime Ministry for Foreign Trade of Turkey Husnu Dilemre said in an interview on Friday.

Dilemre had led a Turkish delegation to Malaysia for the exploratory talks on a possible FTA between the two countries which, he said, would enhance bilateral relations and trade.

"Both countries will commit a feasibility study. We will conduct ours and come back together to see what we have achieved and then the Malaysian side would take this to the Cabinet. We will wait for that," he said.

Turkey is the gateway to Europe, Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Caucasia. It is the world's 15th largest economy, with a population of 72 million and a gross domestic product of US$742 billion (RM2.5 trillion).

For 2009, total trade between Turkey and Malaysia stood at about US$975 million (RM3.3 billion), with exports of about US$860 million (RM2.9 billion), while imports amounted to US$115 million (RM391 million.

Malaysia's major export products are palm oil, electronic circuits, textile, yarn, rubber and rubber accessories, while Turkey mainly exports iron and steel products, tobacco, boroxides, carpets and floor rugs, wheat flour and transformers.

Dilemre also pointed out that there are sectors in Malaysia which "have competition problems".

"But if you look at Turkey, they (the sectors) complement each other, we believe in that and studies had shown this," he said.

Apart from Malaysia, he said Turkey is also keen to have FTA talks with other Asean countries like Singapore and Indonesia, and India but had yet to initiate any kind of exploratory talks.

"We are going to start with Malaysia first and other Asean countries could take this as an example and be attracted to it," he said, adding that Turkey is set to launch FTA talks with South Korea after a couple of initial talks.

Asked whether there would be any obstacles which could prevent the FTA from being sealed within a short period, he said on the contrary, it "was much more positive".

"To be honest, sometimes a country would need some time to think and this is the trend in the world, but for Malaysia and Turkey, we are ready to seriously engage to develop and enhance our trade.

"I don't think there will be any problem between Turkey and Malaysia, but we will see what will happen in terms of trade in goods, services and investment," he said.

Dilemre said a FTA could pave the way for better conditions for investment flow between the two countries, apart from presenting opportunities to diversify and boost trade volume significantly.

Among the countries that had sealed FTAs with Turkey are Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Egypt, Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia and Chile.

There are also ongoing FTA negotiations between Turkey and countries like Lebanon, the Gulf Cooperation Council and Ukraine.

Dilemre said a 30-member Turkish business delegation, with the support its Foreign Trade's Undersecretariat, is visiting Malaysia until Tuesday. - Bernama

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EU keen to step up FTA dialogues with Malaysia
By Rupa Damodaran Published: 2010/01/25

MALAYSIA can have a free trade pact with the European Union (EU), EU ambassador Vincent Piket said, the second in Asean after Singapore.

"Malaysia ranks as our second largest trading partner in the Asean region, which is why we would like to step up dialogues," he told the Business Times in an interview.

According to a study, Malaysia's economy would be boosted by 8 per cent by 2020 if an FTA with the EU was in place.

"We can rebuild trade - benefiting manufacturers, exporters and importers from both sides."

Piket said the global economic crisis last year wiped out 20 per cent of both the EU and Malaysia's external trade which he estimates could be in the region of ?6 billion (RM28.7 billion).

Malaysia's trade with the EU in 2008 was around ?30 billion (RM143 billion).

The EU, he said, is ready to negotiate on all products and sectors, as well as those sensitive to the Europeans like agri-food and fishery.

"We have signalled this to Malaysia. We are now waiting for Malaysia to review and compare their positions with the EU objectives and, hopefully, come forward."

An FTA, he said, would provide a long-term, stable trade relation between two equal partners.

"This would make a world of difference with the current unilateral granting of preferences by the EU under the so-called GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences)."

The GSP is an unilateral offer extended to developing countries in the world.

[nazrey]

Tanamera eksport produk spa Melayu
Oleh JOHANNA A. SOBREY 25 Januari 2010



FARIDAH (tengah) bersama dua petugas Tanamera Tropical Spa
di Damansara, Petaling Jaya baru-baru ini.

PETALING JAYA - Syarikat pengedar rangkaian produk spa, Tanamera Tropical Spa Sdn. Bhd., menyasarkan pertumbuhan minimum 20 peratus pada tahun ini berbanding tahun lalu melalui aktiviti operasi yang lebih mantap dan meluas.

Menurut Pengarahnya, Faridah Ahmad Fadzil, perancangan itu termasuk meluaskan lagi eksport produk Tanamera ke Turki dan China.

"Produk berasaskan esen dan herba tropika di bawah jenama Tanamera dikeluarkan melalui syarikat FA Herbs Sdn. Bhd. sejak tujuh tahun lalu.

"Kebanyakan produk adalah untuk tujuan eksport tetapi pada masa sama Tanamera mula mendapat perhatian pasaran tempatan," kata beliau ketika ditemui di Spa Tanamera yang terletak di sini baru-baru ini.

Konsep Tanamera berjaya dieksport ke negara-negara seperti Jerman, Denmark, Slovenia, Sepanyol, Norway, Amerika Syarikat, Emiriyah Arab Bersatu dan baru-baru ini ke Australia.

[nazrey]

Yemen, Malaysia Sign MoU In Electricity
January 26, 2010 09:30 AM

SANA'A, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Yemen and Malaysia signed here on Monday a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) in electricity and energy field, according to Yemen News Agency (Saba).

The memo included the promotion of cooperation between Yemen and Malaysia in institutional training and rehabilitation areas in addition to the improvements of the electricity networks.

The General Electricity Corporation Director General Abdul-Mumin Mutahar said that Yemen has a full desire to benefit from the Malaysian experience in fields of training, rehabilitation and networks planning.

On the other hand, Minister of Electricity Awadh al-Socotri inaugurated here on Monday the Malaysia power and energy trade mission 2010 Yemen, in which about 30 Malaysian industrial companies taking part.

In a statement to Saba, al-Socotri affirmed the importance of availing from the Malaysian experience in energy areas as well as in the rehabilitation of Yemeni cadres in electricity different fields.

The Minister also noted to the significance of developing the Yemeni-Malaysian cooperation relations in energy area, renewing Yemen's hail for Malaysian companies to invest in Yemen.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Malaysia-Europe Forum To Discuss Green Issues In Munich
January 26, 2010 20:05 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-Europe Forum (MEF) will hold a meeting to discuss issues around sustainable business on March 2 in Munich, Germany.

Themed "The Global Green Agenda: Securing a Sustainable Future," the event is the third in a series of MEF-sponsored dialogues and roundtables between Malaysia and key European member states.

"The recent economic turmoil has brought to light many questions about whether our current model of economic growth is sustainable. Issues pertaining to sustainability and the environmental commitments of corporations worldwide have hit the spotlight in the media.

"As such, the theme for this year's MEF dialogue and roundtable is very pertinent, especially in this environment of economic overhaul," said MEF advisor and patron Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said in a statement Tuesday.

She said the dialogue was a way to bridge the gap between European and Asian standards in terms of the greening of business.

The MEF-Munich Spring Dialogue is a one-day event, starting off with a keynote address by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

Among notable speakers are Malaysian Industrial Development Authority Director-General Datuk Jalilah Baba, Malaysian Biotech Corp Chief Executive Officer Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood and Malaysian Palm Oil Board Chairman Datuk Sabri Ahmad.

Sime Darby Bhd Chairman Tun Musa Hitam will give a presentation on the company's and Malaysia's green agenda.

MEF, incorporated since 2007, is an independent, non-profit organisation established to promote the exchange of views and enhancement of links between Malaysia and Europe.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Malaysians to participate in Bauma 2010
Updated: Wednesday February 3, 2010 MYT 3:35:19 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) has received overwhelming response from Malaysian construction companies to participate in Bauma 2010, the world's largest exhibition for the construction and mining industry.

MGCC General Manager Thomas Brandt said more than 3,000 exhibitors, worldwide, have confirmed their participation at the exhibition, to be held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, between April 19 and April 25."

More than 100 Malaysian representatives, including several big players from the construction industry, are expected to meet with their counterparts from other countries during the week-long exhibition.

"Several Malaysian firms have confirmed their participation in the exhibition and we are trying to get space for two more companies. They are still on the waiting list, as the response has been overwhelming," Brandt told a briefing here Wednesday.

He added MGCC was committed to assisting Malaysian construction companies tap business and technology transfer opportunities at the world renowned exhibition which would showcase latest technology, products and services in all sectors of the industry.

"There is an increase in the number of international firms joining Bauma this year. So, this is the best platform for Malaysian companies to explore opportunities in other markets," Brandt said.

Exhibitors from Russia, Brazil, Germany, the United States, China, India, France as well as Canada are taking part in this year's exhibition."

More than 100 representatives from India are expected to participate this year.

India's construction industry is growing faster than the country's Gross Domestic Product.

"Malaysian firms can take advantage of this potential that is coming from India and China," he said, adding that Asia was still developing despite the economic downturn. - Bernama

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Large Malaysian Presence At Frankfurt's Paperworld
February 03, 2010 20:17 PM
By Manik Mehta

FRANKFURT, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- A large contingent of 26 Malaysian companies showcased office stationery items to finished printed books, comics and other forms of literature at the just-concluded Frankfurt's Paperworld trade fair.

The large Malaysian presence, despite the ongoing economic crisis, demonstrated what one Malaysian corporate executive described as "Malaysian industry's confidence and upbeat mood".

Many Malaysian companies have "graduated" from being MATRADE-sponsored exhibitors in the past to independent exhibitors who have gained enough confidence and international exposure to come and showcase on their own.

Chee Wan Corporation Sdn Bhd, a paper stationery converter, was such a case of a "graduated" company.

Andy Lau, Chee Wan's Export Manager said the company started under MATRADE's aegis but in the past few years has been coming on its own to the Frankfurt show, an important event for the global paper industry.

"We have been quite busy here despite the overall economic uncertainties.

The economic crisis has not had much of an impact on our business," he said, adding that the company supplied books and other literature to schools.

Lau also said the company received many business enquiries at the show and even obtain orders.

"The show proved to be a good venue not only to receive our existing customers but also new ones," he told Bernama at the show.

Asked about the fiercely aggressive Chinese competition, Lau was confident his company's products were more than a match for China's cheap but poor quality products.

"China will not be a threat to us because of our high-quality and upper-end segment. Also, this is coupled by our strong attributes of quality service and reliability," he added.

Chinese exhibitors, incidentally, face sharp vigilance by the German authorities which closely monitor for pirated copies of products by the original manufacturers.

Indeed, according to a German customs spokesman, an anti-piracy taskforce raided the stands of a number of Asian exhibitors who were suspected of exhibiting copies of originals being displayed by the rightful manufacturers.

But many Asian exhibitors at the show said that the pirates were mainly from mainland Chinese.

Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the organiser of the show, said that it would show "absolutely zero tolerance" against violators of intellectual property rights and bar them from exhibiting in future.

The overall mood of the Malaysian exhibitors was characterised by cautious optimism over future business.

Leaderart Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, manufacturer of markers, colour paints and highlighters, experienced growth in sales even as the world reeled under the economic downturn.

"Our business grew by five to seven per cent," said Iris Kam, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Leaderart, adding that some ninety per cent of its business came from exports to 50 countries.

He said many existing customers attended the show but the number of buyers declined this year.

For Muda Paper Converting Sdn Bhd, which showcased recyled laminated grey chip board mainly used in book binding and hard-cover diaries, Paperworld was a "good show".

Muda, which exports some thirty per cent of its production, mainly to Southeast Asia and to the rest of the world, described Paperworld as an "important marketing platform".

Its Sales Manager, Arnold Khor, maintained that exports have expanded significantly since the company began participating in the exhibition.

"Despite the economic downturn and low demand, our exports remained stable in terms of quantity although values had declined," he said.

His company received business enquiries from Poland, Greece, Spain and Portugal but Khor sensed caution" amongst buyers who were ordering low quantities rather than placing mass orders.

"Buyers have become more cautious and selective in an attempt to play safe. Also, many buyers tend to haggle over prices, unlike in the past when they were willing to pay for good-quality products," Khor said.

Be as it may, Malaysian exhibitors should pay attention to the evolving trends that were also visible at this show.

There is a growing emphasis in many of the matured Western economies on buying products that pay greater attention to environmental protection.

Zanders, a Bergisch-Gladbach based German company in the paper and stationery business, said environment-friendly products were gaining importance in the market.

Regional Sales Manager Frank Haack said Malaysians would do well to observe the environmental aspects of their products.

"We do not feel threatened by the low-end products from Asia because our emphasis is on environment-friendly products," he said.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Malaysians, South Koreans collaborate in e-learning
Published: 2010/02/10
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...tzeal/Article/

TELEKOM Smart School Sdn Bhd (TSS) and Zeal Hi Tech Sdn Bhd signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with South Korean e-learning solutions provider, Dunet Inc, on Internet protocol television (IPTV).

The Dunet-TSS MOU focuses on IPTV e-learning contents and covers activities such as sharing market trends related to e-learning contents and sharing technological know-how for the development of e-learning contents.

Meanwhile, the Dunet-Zeal collaboration focuses on IPTV solutions and platforms and covers areas such as joint projects for IPTV solution and co-expanding for the overseas market.

Chief executive officer of Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said MSC Malaysia acknowledged that the Korean firms were capable of enriching IPTV e-learning initiative.

"This experience is invaluable for MDeC as we spearhead the Integrated Content Development Taskforce that assists the government in generating content for the High-Speed Broadband initiative," he said at the signing ceremony in Putrajaya, Selangor, yesterday.

The MOUs are the indirect result of the signing of a MOU in 2008 between MDeC and South Korea's National IT Industry Promotion Agency to collaborate on smart school programmes.

The MOU, signed in conjunction with the World Congress on Information Technology, has led to exchanges and deliberations between Malaysian and South Korean consortiums, ultimately contributing to the IPTV project framework.

Badlisham said the collaboration between the two countries will generate a revenue of RM10 million and create some 2,000 jobs. - Bernama

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Malaysia to focus on exporting services to Asia and Europe
Thursday February 11, 2010
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...7&sec=business

KUALA LUMPUR: European countries, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, India and China are among Malaysia’s focus markets for the export of services this year.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) trade and promotion deputy chief executive officer Dr Wong Lai Sum said there were tremendous opportunities for Malaysians to export services to these places.

“This is especially in the area of outsourcing, professional and construction related services.

“In China, there is demand for water and wastewater treatment, information and communications technology (ICT) as well as engineering services,” she told reporters after the opening of the Matrade-Austrade Seminar on exporting services yesterday.

Wong said Matrade had lined up a few missions for Malaysian companies seeking business opportunities in the countries mentioned.

“Fifty percent of our missions this year is based on the services sector. This shows how serious we are towards the industry, which is expected to contribute 60% to the nation’s gross domestic product by 2020,” Wong said.

She said this target was set under the Third Industrial Master Plan.

According to Wong, Malaysia’s export of services last year surpassed imports, thanks to the government efforts in helping local companies go beyond the nation’s borders. From January to September 2009, the total export of services recorded a value of RM72.71bil while imports were at RM69.06bil. – Bernama

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Norwegian, Dutch firms keen to invest in Sabah POIC
Joniston Bangkuai Published: 2010/02/11



ODFJELL, a Norway-based global logistic services supplier, and Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands are keen to invest in the state-owned Palm Oil Industrial Cluster in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Officials of the two company were in Sabah recently to hold talks with State officials on the POIC, which is being developed into an international port of call.

Together with Port of Rotterdam (POR) chief executive officer Hans Smits, they also made a site visit at the POIC Lahad Datu.

Odfjell and Damen Shipyards are among global companies that do business with POR and the Port of Sohar, in Oman, which was developed with POR expertise.

Both POR and Port of Sohar are also exploring investment potentials in POIC Lahad Datu.

Formed in 1914, Odfjell specialises in transportation and storage of chemicals, vegetable oils and acids. It operates a fleet of vessels and 17 large tank storage terminals around the world, including Singapore.

Damen Shipyards has its headquarters in The Netherlands. The company was set up in 1927 and has more than 6,000 employees in its 30 shipyards and related companies worldwide.

POIC Sabah chief executive officer Dr Pang Teck Wai said he was satisfied with the progress of the talks.

"We acknowledge that logistic infrastructure is the key to making POIC Lahad Datu a global port of call."

"To be in the same room and be mentioned in the same page with global logistic service providers like Damen and Odfjell is a major breakthrough for us and we are grateful to POR for making it happen," Pang added.

During his visit, Smits led the POR delegation for a meeting with chief minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and industrial development minister Datuk Raymond Tan and senior officials of POIC Sabah, the developer of POIC Lahad Datu.

Smits observed that POIC Lahad Datu has what it takes to be a regional business hub.

The plus points include the deep-water harbour, the existing and planned port infrastructure, the abundant commodity resources in eastern Sabah and the surrounding territories within the East Asean Growth Area.

Smits was the highest ranked officer of POR to visit Sabah since the European port began talks with POIC Sabah to develop Lahad Datu into an international maritime hub.

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MAHB may operate more Asia airports
Published: 2010/02/11
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) plans to manage another one or two airports in Asia by year-end.

"We are looking at this prospect. We will announce it once it is finalised," said managing director Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad today.

Under its overseas operations, MAHB currently operates two airports in India and another in Turkey.

Bashir said that MAHB was aiming to achieve a four to five per cent increase in passenger travel growth from 8.2 per cent recorded last year.

"I think the industry is recovering. If you see last year, the industry started to recover over the last couple of months and we believe the recovery will carry forward this year. We are sure to see growth this year, and we are being very conservative," he said.

Bashir also said that four international airports in Malaysia being managed by MAHB have achieved platinum airport status under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) barcoded boarding passes project.

The airports concerned are the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport.

With the platinum status, MAHB is playing a leading role in Asia to improve the travel experience of passengers, he said.

"We will be ensuring that other airports are barcoded by end-2010 as per IATA-mandated," he added.

Meanwhile, MAHB will be hosting Check-in Asia, the passenger and baggage processing forum for Asia Pacific travel industry stakeholders from Nov 24 to 26 this year.

The event is expected to attract more than 250 attendees and 20 exhibitors.

"MAHB values the opportunity to provide the platform for the region's air travel industry stakeholders to discuss and decide the best possible solutions regarding the evolution of their passenger and baggage processing methods and other potential systems," Bashir said.

He said with the check-in process embarking on a new era of methods, the forum will be beneficial to all industry players. -- BERNAMA

[arief_malaysia96]

Kuala Lumpur gagal bidaan


2010/02/12

KUALA LUMPUR gagal dalam bidaannya untuk menjadi tuan rumah bagi Persidangan Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa (IOC) 2013 selepas tewas kepada ibu negara Argentina, Buenos Aires.

Dalam undian pada Persidangan IOC ke-122 di Vancouver, Kanada semalam, Kuala Lumpur menerima 31 undi, berbanding 58 diperoleh Buenos Aires daripada 92 ahli Majlis IOC yang hadir.

Dua anggota tidak mengundi manakala satu lagi undi rosak. Persidangan IOC dianggotai 115 ahli dari seluruh dunia.

Delegasi Malaysia membuat persembahan pada jam 2.30 petang (waktu tempatan) dan berakhir 15 minit kemudian sebelum ahli Majlis mula mengundi dan keputusan diumumkan pada 4 petang.


Kongres itu penting dan bakal menjadi perhatian dunia kerana akan menentukan tuan rumah Sukan Olimpik musim panas 2020 dan juga melantik presiden baru IOC bagi menggantikan Jacques Rogge yang tamat tempohnya pada tahun 2013.

Presiden Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM), Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar berkata, keputusan anggota Majlis IOC semalam keputusan yang adil.

Katanya, selepas memilih Nanjing, China sebagai tuan rumah Sukan Olimpik Belia 2014, sudah tentu ahli Majlis IOC mahukan negara dari benua lain sebagai tuan rumah Persidangan IOC 2013. - Bernama

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Proton to unveil concept car at Geneva Motor Show
Friday February 12 2010



KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — Proton Holdings Bhd will unveil its concept car, a creative collaboration with Italdesign Giugiaro, at the 80th International Motor Show in Geneva on March 2, 2010.

Its group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir said the collaboration was part of the group’s long-term strategy to match global automotive standards and expand its footprint worldwide.

Italdesign Giugiaro is an independent service company that provides major and emerging international car makers with creativity, engineering and the necessary support for the industrialisation of new products.

Proton’s adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to launch the Proton concept car during the motor show, the group said in a statement today.

“The specially designed chassis features a raised floor that can accommodate the conventional engine as well as the hybrid system’s batteries in the rear,” it said.

The concept car, based on a hybrid propulsion system, leverages on maximising space while maintaining the overall dimensions of a compact car.

Syed Zainal Abidin said the car was conceived with the aim of maximising the interior roominess and improving access to the vehicle. — Bernama

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Malaysia Top Among Developing Countries In Connectivity Scorecard 2010
February 12, 2010 16:05 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia scored the highest for deployment and usage of information communication technology (ICT) among 25 resource and efficiency-driven countries in the Nokia Siemens Network's Connectivity Scorecard 2010.

It led the group for the third consecutive year.

The Connectivity Scorecard is a global ICT index, an annual study which ranks countries not only on their deployment of ICT infrastructure but also measures the extent to which governments, businesses and consumers make use of useful connectivity technologies to enhance social and economic prosperity.

"Malaysia topped the group of resource driven economies with a score of 7.14 ahead of South Africa (6.18), Chile (6.06), Argentina (5.9) and Russia (5.82), which made up the rest of the top five," Nokia Siemens Networks said in a statement on Friday.

Malaysia also came ahead of its Asean neighbours such as Thailand and Indonesia, with the exception of Singapore which came under the grouping of innovation driven economies.

Countries are divided into two groups - developed innovation driven economies and the less developed resource driven economies.

Already in its third year, the Connectivity Scorecard for the first time also showed a change in leadership among the innovation-driven economies, with the United States losing its number one ranking to Sweden.

Sweden led the group of innovation driven economies with a score of 7.95, ahead of the US (7.77), Norway (7.74), Denmark (7.54) and the Netherlands (7.52).

Economic recovery and government stimulus packages aimed at boosting broadband deployment and ICT development should provide room for optimism in the coming year.

-- BERNAMA

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Australian Mission To Seek Green Technology Partners In Malaysia Next Month
February 12, 2010 19:55 PM By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah



KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- An Australian business delegation comprising companies specialising in carbon projects will be in Malaysia from March 1-2 to seek collaboration in the area of green technology.

Australia's first Trade Commissioner appointed to Clean Energy and Environment portfolio in Asean, Garth Taylor said the "Carbon Cluster" delegation will have members from 25 Australian companies.

"They will be coming to represent their special skills in carbon projects," he told Bernama in an interview.

A carbon project refers to a business initiative that receives funding because of the cut in the emission of greenhouse gases that will result.

Taylor, based in Malaysia, is responsible for developing awareness among Asean member countries of the development in Australia in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon capture and storage.

He said Australia had an excellent supply capacity in dealing with clean air, water and carbon projects.

"The specialists that are coming represent a value chain for carbon projects," Taylor said.

Carbon projects need finance, technology, engineering management, project management, risk assessment, as well as insurance.

"And so instead of managers going to all these places we are saying, come to the Carbon Cluster, a one-stop-shop for carbon projects."

The set up Australia's "Carbon Cluster" or companies specialised in the field, was done in 2009, and this is the very first off-shore mission for them, Taylor said.

Among the activities lined up for them include a press launch and representatives from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore will be invited to Malaysia to speak to the delegation members.

There will be a large networking event, business matching event and a business roundtable with Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Taylor disclosed.

Asked on why the delegation was choosing Malaysia, Taylor said: "Malaysia is an obvious choice for carbon projects as it is a leader in Asean for carbon projects registered with the United Nations under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) process."

Malaysia, next to Indonesia and Thailand, has around 90 odd projects registered now.

"Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore also have registered projects, but Malaysia is the leader and obvious choice for us.

"It is also a very good central point as the delegation would be moving on to India after Malaysia," Taylor said.

Touching on Australia's commitment to green technology, he said the country has put the issue of climate change as a top priority.

--BERNAMA

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Genting may expand ops in the US, says chairman
Published: 2010/02/16



SINGAPORE: Genting Bhd (3182), which opened Singapore's first casino on Sunday as Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off, may expand operations in the US, chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay said.

"We are actively looking at the US and we see great opportunities," Lim told reporters..

"Singapore's project would be a good model for our future investments going forward."

Genting Singapore's S$6.6 billion (RM16 billion) Resorts World Sentosa complex, which houses 530 trade tables, 1,300 slot machines, and a 12-table poker pit in the casino, as well as an adjoining Universal Studios theme park, may draw 13 million visitors, Tan Hee Teck, chief executive officer for Resorts World, told reporters.

Genting Singapore plc, the unit of Asia's largest publicly traded gambling operator, opened the casino even as the world is recovering from a global financial crisis that began in 2008, shrank economies in the US and Europe and crimped funding. Las Vegas Sands Corp's US$5.5 billion (RM18.8 billion) casino complex in Singapore may open later this year, adding one percentage point to Singapore's economic growth this year, David Cohen, director of Asian economic forecasting at Action Economics, said.
The casino was inaugurated by Lim, and not by a minister, something typical in Singapore for a project with such a large investment.

"We will be the most exciting gaming resort in the world," Lim said, even as he expects about 60 per cent of the potential arrivals (about 7.8 million) this year from overseas.

"We are a family resort and the casino occupies only 5 per cent of the total resort area," Robin Goh, a spokesman for Resorts World said. "The croupiers wear uniforms."

Singapore's casinos are expected to support economic growth this year as external demand may grow at a "sluggish pace," Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang said last month. The country aims to woo 17 million visitors and triple annual tourism revenue to S$30 billion (RM73 billion) by 2015, helped by the two casino resorts. - Bloomberg

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Sime Darby Property mulls RM2b property trust
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2010/02/17



SIME Darby Property Bhd (4197), the property arm of Sime Darby Bhd, is building its investment portfolio as it mulls setting up a property trust with assets worth more than RM2 billion, in two to three years.

It also wants to grow its rental income, which now contributes some 10 per cent to its bottom line, group managing director Datuk Tengku Putra Badlishah said.

"Property development is very cyclical while asset management provides regular income and we want to grow that.

"We have assets that give us good rental but more is better. We are building three towers in Ara Damansara and have a few more coming up in the Klang Valley," Tengku Putra Badlishah said.

With an interview with Business Times recently, Tengku Putra Badlishah said the company has several assets suitable for a real estate investment trust (REIT).

"We have reached there as far as a REIT is concerned but we want to set a target. We will launch the REIT if we think it makes sense to do one. For now, we don't require any fund raising," he said.

Sime Property may buy or build new properties in Malaysia, Australia, China, Indonesia and Vietnam. It will ride on the success of its parent which operates in over 20 countries.

Sime Property's assets, including its 14,800ha of land in the greater Klang Valley, are worth RM4 billion.

The company has several wholly-owned assets under management. They include Sime Darby Pavilion, Kompleks Sime Darby and Wisma Guthrie in the Klang Valley, as well as Performance Centre, Sime Darby Centre, Sime Darby Enterprise and Vantage Automotive Centre in Singapore.

Its hospitality assets are Sime Darby Convention Centre and Genting View Resort in Malaysia, Darby Park Executive Suite in Singapore, Randong Orange Court in Vietnam, as well as three resorts in Australia which are Quest Margaret River, Quest Subiaco and Karri Valley.

Sime Property's award-winning leisure properties include the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and Impian Golf & Country Club in Kajang.

"All these properties are doing well with most of them yiel-ding an average 7 to 8 per cent," Tengku Putra Badlishah said.

[nazrey]

'Good time to invest in energy, metal sectors'
By Ooi Tee Ching Published: 2010/02/17



Right now, commodities are cheap and there's constraint on supply, says Rupert Rucker of Schroders Plc's head of product for Asia

It is a good time to invest in energy and metal sectors now, said Rupert Rucker of Schroders Plc's head of product for Asia.

"Right now, commodities are cheap and there's constraint on supply. By putting money in commodities, you'll hedge against inflation," he told Business Times in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

"We're still in a commodities' supercycle. Global demand for oil, coal, gas and copper is on the rise as we see signs of recovery in the global economy," said the fund manager.

Rucker, who is based in Tokyo, recently flew in to Kuala Lumpur to give a briefing on the 2010 outlook on global markets and commodities.

"We take a bottom up view when sizing up the potentials of commodity-based companies. Those that offer bigger investment opportunities tend to be in Brazil, Russia, India and China," Rucker said.

As early as five years ago, Rucker had already likened the BRIC phenomenon to the emergence of the US as an economic power in the 19th century and Japan's explosive growth in the 1960s. He still thinks so today.

These four countries have huge populations - India and China number close to 2.5 billion people between them - and, as more of them get a share in the growing wealth of their countries, their spending will fuel further economic growth.

Rucker explained that while their performance will obviously be affected by commodity price fluctuations or global economic circumstances, these emerging economic grouping are not wholly-dependent on traditional economic cycles.

Rucker presented three scenarios that influences his crude oil forecast.

"Should the global economy experience a 'V-shaped' recovery, we can expect oil price to surpass US$100 (RM342) per barrel. If it is going to be a double-dip or a 'W-shaped' recovery, then oil price could well trade in the region of US$80 (RM273) per barrel," he said.

"There's also another situation where the global economy could go into a stagflation where we see oil trade at a higher bandwidth of US$90 (RM307) per barrel while world growth stumbles along at 1 per cent," he added.

Rucker was representing Schroders, which is helping to manage some RM550 million for the CIMB Group. Also present at the session were CIMB-Principal Asset Management Bhd chief executive officer Campbell Tupling and CIMB Wealth Advisors Bhd chief executive officer Tan Beng Wah.

At the end of 2009, CIMB-Principal managed a total of RM23.4 billion of investors' money, of which almost half are unit trusts.

[nazrey]

Cuba Sees Growing Ties With Malaysia In The Future
February 24, 2010 15:15 PM

JOHOR BAHARU, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- Cuba sees growing ties with Malaysia in future as it celebrates its 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations with this country.

"I am very sure that our relations will remain strong and grow more and more in the coming years," said its ambassador to Malaysia, Carlos A. Amores.

The third resident ambassador to this country was met by reporters after paying a visit to the Tanjung Kupang Memorial in Jalan Kebun Teh here Wednesday.

Havana and Kuala Lumpur sealed ties in 1975, at the time of the Cold War ideological divide, and have moved forward to enjoy increasingly fruitful and meaningful relations in many areas -- politics, economics, trade, medical, education, sports and people-to-people relations.

Amores, 43, said that bilateral relations picked up, especially at the political level, in the 90s which saw Cuba open its embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1997, and Malaysia followed by setting up an embassy in Havana in February 2001.

He was optimistic that economic ties would pick up as well, and expected trade ties to be strengthened.

The Tanjung Kupang Memorial was set up for victims of the 1977 Malaysia Airlines flight 653 crash in which all 93 passengers and seven crew perished.

Also killed in the incident were the Cuban ambassador to Japan, Mario Garcia Inchaustegui, who was accredited to Malaysia at that time, and his wife, Gladys.

The flight took off from the Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang at 7.21pm on Dec 4, 1977, to Subang Airport but was alleged to have been ordered by hijackers to head for Singapore before it plunged tail first at about 8.15pm into the mangrove forest of Tanjung Kupang in Gelang Patah.

Malaysian prominent figures who were killed in the crash were then agriculture minister Datuk Seri Ali Ahmad and then Public Works Department director Tan Sri Mahfuz Khalid.

Amores, his wife, Lianys Dorres, and two daughters, director of Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd Frank S.K Goon, who represented Tan Sri Robert Kuok, and Cuban embassy officials spent about half-an-hour paying their respects and laying wreaths at the memorial.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Malaysia And Korea Celebrate 50th Anniversary Of Diplomatic Ties
February 22, 2010 19:24 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and South Korea will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties Tuesday.

Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in a congratulatory message to Korean President Lee Myung-bak, expressed his happiness that the bilateral relations between Malaysia and South Korea continued to develop towards a friendly, multi-faceted partnership in line with the desire of the peoples of both countries.

According to Foreign Ministry statement here Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his letter to his Korean counterpart, Chun Un-Chan, said that he was heartened to note that the longstanding warm and cordial relations between the two countries had developed and solidified over the years.

Najib further said that ever since the establishment of relations by both countries' farsighted leaders, bilateral ties had grown rapidly encompassing a multitude of substantive areas.

Since the inception of the Look East Policy in the early 1980s, bilateral relations had been further broadened and strengthened in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, education, and capacity building, he noted.

Najib said Malaysia was ready to further explore new areas of cooperation to enhance its relations with Korea.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman also extended his congratulations to his counterpart and Trade Minister, Yu Myung-hwan.

He said that the close and substantive cooperation between the two countries over the past 50 years had brought considerable progress and he was confident that their bilateral ties would be further developed.

-- BERNAMA