Malaysia - Countries of the World

[nazrey]

YTL to develop ‘prime real estate’ in Asia
Published: 2010/03/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

YTL Corp, Malaysia’s biggest builder, plans to develop a “prime real estate” in Asia, Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Francis Yeoh said in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also said it’s time to take a more “sizeable bite” in Japan’s property market. - Bloomberg

[nazrey]

KPJ Healthcare plans Asia expansion
Published: 2010/03/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

KPJ Healthcare Bhd is looking into expanding its network aggressively in Asia beginning next year through acquisition, joint venture and management contract.

The destinations being considered were Indochina, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and possibly Middle East, Managing Director Datin Paduka Siti Sa'diah Sheikh Bakir told reporters on the sidelines of Invest Malaysia 2010 Conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

"We have received a few offers from these countries and currently, KPJ is reassessing the offers. We hope to finalise them by end of this year to be able to kick off the plan next year onwards," she said.

KPJ presently owns 20 hospitals in Malaysia and two in Indonesia. It also manages two hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

For this year, Siti Sa'diah said, KPJ would only focus on domestic expansion and was in the midst of building two hospitals in Klang and Muar.

On the Al-Aqar KPJ Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs), she said KPJ hoped to complete the exercise of injecting three other hospital buildings (one in Indonesia and two in Malaysia) into REITs by June this year.

The company was waiting for the approval from the relevant authorities.

"This exercise creates more opportunities to acquire more hospital buildings, in particular in Indonesia, for further REIT injection," she said.

To date, KPJ has injected 18 hospitals and a nursing college building into REITs.

Meanwhile, she said KPJ had allocated about RM100 million to expand its existing hospitals and to upgrade facilities in Malaysia.

With the increasing demand for private healthcare services and its expansion plans locally and abroad, KPJ is confident to achieve a revenue of RM2 billion by 2012.

Currently, KPJ’s market capitalisation is RM1.5 billion and hopes to increase it to RM2 billion.

Bernama

[nazrey]

Genting aims to invest abroad
Published: 2010/03/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Genting Bhd, Malaysia’s biggest casino operator, is looking to invest in the US and other regions, Justin Leong, head of strategic investments at the company, said in Kuala Lumpur today.

The company is “looking for investments” quite “aggressively as the markets open up,” he said. - Bloomberg

[nazrey]

SP Setia buys Melbourne land for RM90m
Published: 2010/03/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Its wholly-owned unit, Setia International, plans to develop a high-density inner city integrated residential and commercial project on the land

SP Setia Bhd (8664), the country's biggest property developer in terms of sales, has bought a piece of land in Melbourne, Australia, for A$30 million (RM90 million).

Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Setia International Ltd, signed a deal yesterday to buy the 4,340 sq m land, held under several certificates of titles, from S.L. Nominees Pty Ltd and Jonquil Pty Ltd.

It plans to develop a high-density inner city integrated residential and commercial project on the land.

The deal was brokered by Savills Australia following a tender process.
According to Savills, there was strong interest from local and offshore buyers, but SP Setia offered the best combination of terms and corporate strength which the sellers were looking for.

The group plans to finance the purchase with internally generated funds and external borrowings.

"Barring unforeseen circumstances and subject to Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board approval, the proposed acquisition is expected to be completed in the financial year ending October 31 2010," SP Setia said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

The group targets to launch the project within 18 to 24 months of the date of acquisition.

"The land is strategically located in the central spine of Melbourne's central business district, between A'Beckett Street and Franklin Street and between Elizabeth and Queen Streets.

"The site is a short walk to Melbourne's central shopping centre and railway station, and is close to the Queen Victoria Market."

SP Setia said the close proximity of the site to several premier Australian universities and colleges will enable the group to monetise its Malaysian customer base, many of whom have sent their children to further their education in Melbourne and have invested, or are looking to invest, in properties there.

Based on the 2006 census published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it is estimated that 29,174 Malaysian-born individuals now live in Melbourne.

SP Setia declined to reveal the expected gross development value or profits, saying only that the project "will offer a development potential which is at least equal to that of a similar project in Kuala Lumpur".

"Along with international expansion, the group will also continue to focus on acquiring new landbank in Malaysia for growth and reinvestment, given the many opportunities which still exist at home," its president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said in a statement.

[nazrey]

MDeC to work with India chamber on setting up centre of expertise
Published: 2010/04/07
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...mdec6/Article/



MULTIMEDIA Development Corporation (MDeC) is looking into setting up a centre of expertise by middle of next year to produce experts for the broadcast and creative industries.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said the centre to be located in Cyberjaya would cost about RM10 million to set up and be undertaken together with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

"The creative multimedia space and digital content is obviously growing at a higher pace," he said at the MSC Malaysia's "Meet and Greet" session and media luncheon in Putrajaya yesterday with FICCI chairman Dr Kamal Hassan, who is also a famous actor.

"But the talent is required in Malaysia to drive the industry as the demand is huge for the broadcast and creative industries in both nations," he said.

Badlisham said the collaboration was also part of MSC Malaysia's initiative to develop world-class co-production initiatives in broadcasting and digital content.

He said the country currently has about 7,000 skilled workers and MDeC was aiming to double the figure by generating experts through the centre of expertise to cater for the requirements in the Asian region as well.

"Malaysia needs to take advantage of the demand in the content field," he said, adding that the content field referred to special effects, animations and other digital specifications.

Saying that MDeC wanted to expand further on the visual effect segment, Badlisham said the collaboration with India-based FICCI was vital to further exchange of information technology as well as to learn from each other.

According to Kamal, the governments of both countries will facilitate the centre of expertise in order to build up expertise in various fields as it is the most important requirement for the industries.

"I have a plan to estalish a media institute in India and perhaps it will come together with the collaboration," he said.

He also said that the digital content segment was a new field with ample areas to be tapped, developed and cultivated, and the collaboration would be a significant development in both nations.

FICCI and MDeC met yesterday to discuss the promotion of bilateral trade and business match-making between Malaysian and Indian creative companies, in a follow-up to the memorandum of understanding signed during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's visit to India in January.

Among the highlights of the discussion were potential collaboration for a slate of six to eight feature films to be co-produced by Malaysia and India, transfer of knowledge and skills on visual effects to the local creative industry, and setting up of the centre of expertise. - Bernama

[nazrey]

Scope for boosting trade ties with Venezuela
By Rupa Damodaran Published: 2010/04/17
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New.../vene/Article/

TRANSSHIPMENT costs to Latin America can be greatly reduced if new warehousing facilities were to be set up in ports here, said Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

"We have received a proposal from the private sector to set up these special facilities in Port Klang, which would not only cater for Malaysian exporters but also for the rest of Asean," he said.

Trade volumes between Malaysia and its South-South partners have the capacity to expand but are hindered by the number of ships plying the route.

"With this storage facilities, export items can be stored until there are several container loads ready for shipment," he said after opening a seminar on "Business Opportunities with Venezuela" and a Malaysian-Venezuelan business roundtable in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Venezuela ranked as Malaysia's sixth largest partner among Latin American companies.

Mukhriz said trade between the two countries has picked up in the first two months of this year as both economies start to recover from the economic crisis last year.

Between January and February 2010, total trade rose sixfold from a year ago.

For 2009, Malaysia's exports to Venezuela stood at US$42.06 million (RM135 million) and imports stood at US$70.96 million (RM228 million). Total trade stood at US$113.03 million (RM363 million).

Electrical and electronic products were the largest export items from Malaysia, accounting for 31.1 per cent of total exports to Venezuela.

Among Malaysian exports to Venezuela are rubber gloves, rubber tyres, crude rubber, air conditioners, furniture and palm oil.

"Unfortunately our bilateral investment relations remain rather weak," Mukhriz said.

From 2008 to 2009, Malaysia invested US$0.13 million (RM0.47 million) in Venezuela's mining and quarrying industry but there has yet to be any investments from Venezuela in Malaysia.

Venezuelan ambassador Manuel Antonio Guzman Hernandez said the potential of bilateral trade opportunities has not been fully tapped.

The Venezuelan Bank of Foreign Trade (Bancoex) has sent 20 delegates representing various industries to attend yesterday's events.

The Chavez administration has listed Malaysia as one of its key commercial partners in its "open market diversification" plan to renew and build new trade allies in the new developing economic regions.

Spanish-speaking Venezuela has the added advantage of being located at the northern most part of the continent, which opens it directly to the Caribbean islands and placing it as a central port for trade and commerce with a market of 560 million people.

[nazrey]

Argentina keen to diversify business ties with Malaysia
17th April, 2010
http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/37809

KUALA LUMPUR: Argentina is keen to increase its trade volume as well as diversify its business ties with Malaysia, said the South American country’s ambassador to Malaysia, Maria Isabel Rendon.

She said Argentina’s current exports to Malaysia comprise mainly agricultural products, soya products and meat while Malaysia sells mainly electronic and electrical product.

Describing the current bilateral ties as “at a very good level”, she nevertheless added that there were still much to do.

“Bilateral agreements signed (so far) helped a lot but that doesn’t mean there is not much work to do,” she told Bernama in an interview recently.

Malaysia and Argentina established diplomatic ties in 1967 with the South American country opening its embassy here in 1983 and Malaysia in Buenos Aires in 1999.

Rendon said that the two countries could explore and work together to improve trade volume and diversify business ties.

In 2009, Malaysia sold some US$270 million worth of goods and products to Argentina while Argentina’s exports to Malaysia were about US$550 million.

In 2007, the volume of trade between Malaysia and Argentina had amounted to RM3,108 million, with Malaysian exports to the South American country being RM616 million.

Currently Argentina’s investments in Malaysia are in areas related to mechanical, metallurgical and turbine.

She also explained that delegates from three central Argentina provinces visited Malaysia last November for more trade ties especially in agricultural production and their niche area.

“So the movements are very dynamic…we look forward to increasing trade and diversifying the business…it is a big challenge of course,” she said.

Malaysia has a very strong Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector and the same goes for Argentina, “So in this area we can look for a better interaction between the business community of the two countries,” she said.

She also hoped there would be more high-level visits from leaders from both sides as such visits would push further existing ties in many areas for mutual benefits.

The then Argentina President Carlos Menem visited Malaysia in 1996 where Kuala Lumpur and Buenos Aires signed several agreements such as air services, tourism and trade promotion and in 1997 Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited Argentina.

About air links, Rendon said that she was very happy that Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flies to Argentina, hoping that the national carrier can increase the frequency.

Malaysia Airlines currently flies the Kuala Lumpur-Buenos Aires route twice a week.

Argentina, with about 40 million population is the eighth-largest country in the world by land area. It borders Paraguay and Bolivia to the north, Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast, and Chile to the west and south.

[nazrey]

Genting (M) buys US$48m MGM Mirage notes
Published: 2010/04/23
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Genting Malaysia Bhd said it completed its subscription to US$48 million of senior notes sold by MGM Mirage, the Las Vegas-based operator of hotels and casinos. -- Bloomberg

[nazrey]

Malaysia, Chile to improve air links
Published: 2010/04/23

MALAYSIA and Chile have formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further improve air links between the two countries.

The MoU will enable designated airlines from Chile and Malaysia to operate on unlimited frequencies on third, fourth, fifth and sixth traffic rights to passenger, cargo and mail.

These services also will not have any limitation on capacity and types of aircraft, the Transport Ministry said in a statement today.

Both countries had also recently signed an air services agreement.


Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Long See Wooi said the agreement had the potential to spur greater trade, investment and tourism not only between both countries but also between the South-East Asia and South America regions.

Chile is Malaysia's third important trading partner in South America. -- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Weida in talks for more water projects in Syria
Tuesday April 27, 2010
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...4&sec=business



Hoh Choon Yee (centre) explaining to Muhammad Baji al-Otari about a
souvenir from Weida during the launch of a sewerage plant in Syria recently

KUCHING: Sarawak-based Weida (M) Bhd is in talks for more water and wastewater-related contracts in Syria where it is the turnkey contactor for an on-going RM375mil sewerage project.

Currently, talks are progressing on a proposed 50,000 cu m per day centralised industrial wastewater treatment plant, a 30,000 cu m per day water reclamation plant and more sewage treatment plants, according to Renexus Weida Sdn Bhd country manager Dr Hoh Choon Yee.

Renexus Weida is a 79%-owned subsidiary of Weida, whose core businesses are in water and wastewater utility infrastructure, recycling, renewable energy and stormwater management.

It is unknown how much the proposed projects are worth as the company declined to provide more information when asked yesterday.

The RM375mil contract Weida secured three years ago under a government-to-government initiative involved the formulation of a sewage master plan for a population of four million.

Under the contract, five sewage treatment plants and 15 water treatment plants will also be built to serve one million people. The deal is partly funded by the Malaysian Government through the Export and Import Bank of Malaysia.

Hoh said Weida delivered the first sewage treatment plant in Zabadani last month, and the event was officiated by Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Baji al-Otari.

The project, which caters to up to 120,000 people, treats wastewater in the Bludan Mountain, Masmakeh, Zabadani and Bukein. The mountain attracts thousands of visitors every year.

“The project saw a successful transfer of Malaysian technologies in wastewater treatment to Syria. We expect to deliver another two sewage treatment plants in Hafier Foqa and Darayaa this year, and a fourth plant in Jamrayaa next year,” Hoh said in a statement yesterday.

He said the company was capable of building the sewage plants on a fast-track basis.

The Weida group now owns manufacturing plants in Kuching, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Nilai. They produce polyethylene engineering products for use in water and wastewater infrastructure.

The group expanded to the Philippines when its sixth manufacturing plant started operation there more than a year ago.

[nazrey]

Perdasama KL plans mission to South Korea
By June RamliPublished: 2010/04/28
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...rinke/Article/

KUALA LUMPUR-BASED Malay businessmen are planning to visit South Korea to explore joint-venture opportunities, following a pact signed between business groups of the two countries.

The Kuala Lumpur Chapter of the Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (Perdasama KL) have signed a memorandum of understanding with its Korean counterpart the International Network of Korean Entrepreneurs (INKE).

"We plan to organise trade missions to Korea in the near future to explore business opportunities in the technology sectors as the Koreans are known to be good in this field," said Perdasama KL vice president Datuk Mohd Fauzi Zakaria.

He was speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, held in conjunction with Perdasama KL's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Perdasama KL has about 400 members.

INKE Malaysia chairman Eric Baek Seung Ryul said the partnership provides a platform for both parties to promote their products in both markets through a more systematic manner.

[nazrey]

S. Korean SMEs to invest further in Malaysia
By Rupa DamodaranPublished: 2010/04/13
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...0120a/Article/



Small South Korean companies may invest further in Malaysia as they seek to expand, says Small and Medium Business Corp (SBC) president Lee Ki Won.

THROUGH the newly-set up Korea Desk within the premises of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) in Kuala Lumpur, SBC plans to send its experts to Malaysian and Korean factories to tackle technological problems and help boost production.

"It will be a comprehensive support centre that supports industrial cooperation such as investment, technology partnerships and the joint marketing of companies of both countries," he said at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

It will also provide consulting service to Korean companies keen to set up businesses in Malaysia.

"Although bilateral trade volume has been increasing, we should go beyond and move to form strategical alliances which include investment, technology cooperation, joint production and market."

Lee described Malaysia as the leading centre of Southeast Asia's manufacturing industry.

SBC plans to bring 10 company chief executive officers and government officials from Malaysia to South Korea to share the country's policies and experiences on small and medium enterprise (SME) development.

"This year, about 150 Korean SMEs are scheduled to visit Malaysia."

Mida director general Datuk Jalilah Baba said South Korea currently ranked as the seventh largest foreign investor in Malaysia.

Jalilah said investments of US$133.2 million (RM425 million) from South Korea were approved in the manufacturing sector in 2009.

According to SBC, the amount of overseas investments by Korean SMEs has grown to US$6.07 billion (RM19.3 billion) in 2007 from US$2.30 billion (RM7.3 billion).

In 2008, it dropped to US$5.86 billion (RM18.7 billion) due to difficulty in raising funds as well as a weaker won.

Investments by SMEs comprise 27 per cent of South Korea's total overseas investment in 2008.

SBC, which is a government-funded non-profit agency to support SME growth, already has a cooperation with Mida in the form of a memorandum of understanding to promote and develop industrial cooperation.

[nazrey]

Five-power defence exercise on in Malaysia
April 28, 2010, Wednesday
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=26832

MELBOURNE: Australian warships, combat aircraft and soldiers are currently taking part in a major regional defence exercise with the armed forces of Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.The exercise, called Bersama Shield 2010, is being conducted through the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) security agreement in various locations in the Malaysian peninsula and in the South China Sea from Monday until May 7.

Chief of joint operations command Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the Australian Defence Force would participate as one of the founding members of the FPDA, which was established almost 40 years ago as a regional security initiative.

“Since the FPDA’s formation, the scope of its activities has expanded from air defence to the development of joint capabilities, which has helped to develop greater interoperability among the armed forces of member nations,” he said in a statement.

Bersama Shield also provided the ADF with the opportunity to develop relationships with important security partners, while reinforcing Australia’s long-term commitment to regional stability.

The Australian elements involved in the exercise include ships HMAS Anzac and HMAS Success, eight F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft from 75 Squadron and an AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from 92 Squadron. — Bernama

[nazrey]

Taiwan firms in Kedah hit by manpower shortage
Published: 2010/05/01
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...ishot/Article/

TAIWANESE investors are lamenting that manpower shortage, especially of foreign workers, is affecting production at their plants.

International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said investors were also disgruntled over the delay in obtaining work permits for foreign workers.

"This, they say, will result in orders not being delivered on time. They also face being slapped with a fine for late delivery," he told reporters after a dialogue session with Taiwanese investors in Sungai Petani, Kedah, yesterday. Mukhriz said investors were keen on securing foreign workers as they were hardworking and productive compared with their local counterparts.

"They are requesting that the government look into their plight. We will help but we also want the locals to step up their productivity to be at par with foreign workers," he added.

The deputy minister also called on foreign investors to offer better wages in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak's vision for industrial workers to obtain higher salaries.

He said investors should consider higher wages to spur locals already in thier employment to step up productivity and to attract more locals to join the manufacturing sector. - Bernama

[nazrey]

India-based firm eyes Sabah rice production
By Joniston Bangkuai Published: 2010/05/01
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...taj30/Article/

TAJ-MAHAL Agro Industries Pvt Ltd (TAI), a Malaysian-owned company based in Chennai, India, plans to invest in rice production activities in Sabah to increase the supply to Malaysia and surrounding markets.

Senior officials of the company, led by its managing director Chelliah Thevar, were in Kota Kinabalu yesterday to discuss its plans with the relevant agencies.

The delegation met with officials from the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), State Agriculture Department, Land and Survey Department, State Economic Planning Unit and Sabah Land Development Board.

Its proposed investment in the state includes large-scale padi cultivation and the setting up of research and development facilities for agriculture.
TAI currently operates a modern rice processing plant in Karnataka, India, which produces and exports rice under its Moolgiri Rice premier brand to the European Union, Australia, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia.

During the meeting, Sedia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Yaakub Johari briefed TAI officials on the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and the various incentives and subsidies available for investors.

"With Sedia as a one-stop centre to drive the SDC, foreign investors can get the solution to all their needs in one place," Yaakub said.

[nazrey]

Rosmah's Visit To US Boost Malaysia's Image
By Hafizah Kamaruddin May 01, 2010 11:34 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 (Bernama) -- Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's recent trip to the United States significantly boosted Malaysia's image abroad, especially in sharing experiences through her child development programmes, promotion of the country's varied culture as well as her wide-ranging charity work.

Not only did she play the gracious role of the wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in Washington and New York, Rosmah also largely complemented Najib's visit which opened up a new chapter of improved ties with the US on many fronts.

For starters, when given the honour of participating at the prestigious Women's International Forum's (WIF) "First Ladies Speak" held at the United Nations Economic and Social Affairs (ECOSOC) Chamber in New York, she spoke on the crucial need to invest in the children's future as they would be the human capital of the future.

Rosmah was also awarded the International Peace and Harmony Award from the US Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) in recognition of her extensive charitable work.

The award was also a celebration of the fast-expanding vital linkages between Malaysia and the US.

MORE > http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5....php?id=494837

[nazrey]

Gulf countries seek Malaysian expertise on building halal parks
Published: 2010/05/17
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...#ixzz0oCylYRUU

MALAYSIAN expertise has been sought to help build halal parks in the Middle East, in view of the rising awareness about food security.

Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the request came from some Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that had realised their potential as a gateway to the Middle East market.

"So basically, they would like to develop products that come from anywhere in the world and become a distribution centre for other Middle East countries," he said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

To do this, he said, they would like to have a dedicated area.
"Since we already have the experience in setting up and developing halal parks in Malaysia, they want to use our expertise to work with them to set up halal parks in their countries."

Jamil is a member of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council Investment Mission to Abu Dhabi in the United Emirates and Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from May 7 until today, led by for prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Jamil said GCC countries presently imported more than 85 per cent of their products, especially food products.

"When you talk about GCC countries, halal is very important.

"They want to make sure that food products that they import are halal. So this is an opportunity for us to collaborate with them on the issue of food security, especially since Malaysia is well-known for its halal initiatives," he said.

He said besides bringing knowledge, Malaysian producers could also supply goods to these countries through the halal parks.

He said when the matter was raised during a meeting with Abu Dhabi Investment House, they were people very interested in this project.

"In the next two weeks, they are going to visit Malaysia then we will have further discussions once they are there."

Jamil said Malaysia will be the right partner for this collaboration, to address the food security issue since it had the expertise, especially in handling the halal food chain.

Not many countries have the expertise in this area, he said.

"Some countries only produce halal products but they do not have the expertise to manage the halal value chain," he added.

He said the government, through HDC, was also promoting Malaysia as a reference centre for halal related matters. - Bernama

[nazrey]

Nazri Represents Malaysia At OIC Council Of Foreign Ministers Meeting In Tajikistan
May 18, 2010 00:30 AM
http://bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/new....php?id=498957

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is to highlight the need to enhance economic cooperation at the three-day Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting which begins Tuesday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who is leading the Malaysian delegation to the 37th session, will also raise issues concerning poverty alleviation and collaboration in the field of science and technology, said a statement issued by Wisma Putra.

It said the CFM annual meeting is expected to consider new proposals by member states and to review the progress in the implementation of OIC resolutions which had been adopted during the 36th session held in Damascus last year.

"This session of the council would afford Malaysia the opportunity to reiterate our positions on vital international political, economic and social issues, as well as to enhance the role played by Malaysia on matters concerning the ummah," it said.

It also said that Nazri, who will be accompanied by the ministry's officials, will be meeting with several of his counterparts at the session.

-- BERNAMA

[nazrey]

Malaysia to up foreign workers' levy in 2011
Published: 2010/05/20
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...#ixzz0oU9xRd8R

The government plans to increase the levy on foreign workers according to the job sectors from early next year in a bid to reduce the country's dependence on foreign labour.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the levy would defer according to the foreign workers' skills level and the number of workers in a sector.

"We will study it (levy) according to the job sectors such as manufacturing, construction, services, plantation and agriculture. This means the levy will defer according to the job sectors and the more workers there are in a particular sector, the higher the levy may be.

"Another factor is qualification. If they are skilled workers, the levy may not be high but if they are unskilled or just ordinary workers, then the employers may have to pay a higher levy."
Muhyiddin said this after chairing the third meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Illegal Workers, in Putrajaya, today.

Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam

Muhyiddin said Hishammuddin was given two weeks to study the proposed increase of levy on foreign workers, which was among 50 proposals submitted by the Laboratory on Managing Foreign Workers.

"If the levy is to be increased, it can only be enforced by early 2011 as we need a bit more time to study the matter."

Muhyiddin said the government also planned to impose a bond on employers to make them more responsible towards their workers.

He said the bond payment had been implemented in a number of countries like Singapore for the purpose of monitoring the entry of foreign visitors and workers into these countries.

"The bond is a guarantee for employers to be responsible when their workers run away, stop work and so forth. We have not decided on this but I have asked that this be studied. -- Bernama

[nazrey]

Malaysia, Chile set to sign trade pact this year
By Rupa DamodaranPublished: 2010/05/24
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...#ixzz0omRit2p0

Malaysia and Chile wrapped up talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) in Santiago last Friday, paving the way for a bilateral FTA to be signed before the year-end.
International Trade and Industry Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Rahman Mamat confirmed this, but said the final announcement would be made by the government later.

"We have just concluded the negotiation process successfully. The rest of the details, like effective date and legal scrubbing, are being worked out by the team before the final announcement," he told Business Times on Saturday.

The Santiago Times reported that the bilateral FTA will be the first for President Sebastian Pinera's government.

According to the report, Malaysia will be the 59th country to sign an FTA with Chile.
Almost all of Chile's exports are covered by the agreements it has inked with 58 countries.

Asean has been the focus of trade-dependent Chile in recent years. It has already embarked on talks with Vietnam and will start negotiations with Thailand soon.

The Santiago Times said the Malaysia-Chile FTA will allow 99 per cent of Chilean exports to enter Malaysia without tariffs and 95 per cent of Malaysian imports to Chile to be tariff-free.

Trade between Chile and Malaysia is currently worth about US$230 million (RM764 million), up from US$130 million (RM432 million) in 2000.

Malaysia-Chile FTA talks, which started in June 2007 and went through nine rounds till late last year, were initially timed to be concluded last year. However, sensitive items dragged the talks through to this year.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry said the FTA will offer Malaysia opportunities to strengthen trade and investment by increasing its market share in Chile. It will also enable Malaysian traders and investors to expand to other Latin American markets.

Malaysia has also expressed its interest in joining the regional Trans Pacific Partnership, which groups Chile and countries like New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, Peru, Vietnam and the US.