Malaysia - Countries of the World

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Austrade Sees Vast Potential For Malaysia-Australia Tie-Up In Green Technology
September 23, 2010 20:32 PM
By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5....php?id=529862

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), the Australian government's trade and investment development agency, sees great potential for Malaysia and Australia to further collaborate in the green technology industry.

Stating this, its business development manager, Asean infrastructure and mining, oil and gas, Euniece Quek, said both countries would enjoy a win-win situation by enhancing their collaboration in green technology.

On Australia's commitment to green technology, she said the country has placed the issue of climate change as a top priority.

"With Australia as a leader in the sector and Malaysia as a partner, we will be able to reap more benefits in terms of revenues, especially through the existing joint design in the green building," she told Bernama at a roundtable luncheon here on Thursday.

The roundtable was held in conjunction with the World Green Building Week, and updates on the latest development were provided by Malaysia Green Building Confederation committee members.

Also present were Green Building Index Accreditation Panel members Chen Thiam Leong and Looi Hip Peu, Malaysia Green Building Confederation members Henry Lee Inn Seong, Chan Seong Aun and Eu Teng Cheng, who is also Putra Perdana Development Sdn Bhd's senior general manager, and Malaysian Institute of Architects council member Dr Tan Loke Mun.

Others included Robert B. Turnbull of Australia's Industry Capability Network, Spiro Politis, director of Pixelfocus, Austrade's business development manager Jeniffer Liew and Tim Dillon, Commissioner, South East Asia Office, for Australia's Victoria state.

Dillon said it was "a great idea" for Malaysia and Australia to exchange views on building services as Malaysia and South East Asia, which has a population of 557 million, is a phenomenon to Australia.

"In five years' time, it is going to be 644 million people. So to accommodate that kind of economic growth you have to get smart and have sustainable design in buildings that needs to take into account the impact on environment, so there is precedence for Malaysia and Australia to work together," he said.

"Myself, I represent the state of Victoria and I know that there is a lot of interest in Victorian companies coming to Malaysia and working with Malaysian partners to deliver projects not only here but also in other Asean countries," Dillion said.

"If there are projects in Thailand or Vietnam, for instance, we can partner and go in together," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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SunwayMas in RM250m Sri Lanka project
Published: 2010/09/24
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Sunway Holdings Bhd unit, SunwayMas Sdn Bhd, has sealed a joint venture agreement with Sri Lanka's Dasa Group to undertake a RM250 million mixed development project in Bambalapitiya, Colombo.

A joint-venture company will be incorporated in Sri Lanka, with SunwayMas having 65 per cent stake, and remaining by Dasa Group.

SunwayMas will fund its investment in the JV company through bank borrowings and internally-generated funds, it said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia.

At a press conference earlier, Sunway Holdings managing director Yau Kok Seng said it hoped to launch the project, which is expected to generate 20 per cent profit margin, by the second quarter of 2011 after obtaining all approvals.

He said the development entails a 34-storey building comprising 70 commercial and 180 residential units on prime freehold land and mixed-use zone will be completed in 2014 and enjoy five years tax holiday then onwards.

"The project, sitting on a 0.461 hectares is located a mere five kilometres from the Central Business District of Colombo and has potential to generate a total saleable area of at least 380,000 square feet," he said.

Yau said residential properties in the project were priced at US$200 per sq ft onwards while commercial units at US$350 per sq ft.

In the filing to Bursa, Sunway Holdings said it was constantly on the look out for new investments and with its 10 years of experience in India, the opening of the Sri Lanka economy to foreign investment and expertise allows expansion of Sunway’s geographical footprint to Sri Lanka, which has a higher foreign currency rating as compared to India.

"The proposed development enables Sunway to expand into an exciting new market and increase the size of its landbank for the purpose of property development," it said.

With the latest foray, Sunway Holdings' land bank amounts to 174 hectares, with potential gross development value of RM2.6 billion, which will be developed over the next three years.

Meanwhile, S.D. Gunadasa, chairman and founder of Dasa Group of Companies, said the company looked forward to more collaboration with Sunway Holdings for its future expansion.

"While the Sri Lankan property market gears itself for robust growth in the next five years, international collaborations with premier property players such as the Sunway Holdings will contribute immensely to raise the standards in the industry as well as create new benchmarks," he added.
-- BERNAMA

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Malaysia atasi negara maju
Oleh HAMDEN RAMLI September 24, 2010
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info...n&pg=mh_03.htm

KOTA MARUDU 24 Sept. - Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berkata, asas yang kukuh telah berjaya meletakkan Malaysia sebagai antara negara yang paling kompetitif di dunia dari segi keselamatan siber.

Katanya, berdasarkan data Institut Pembangunan Pengurusan yang berpangkalan di Switzerland, Malaysia berada pada kedudukan ke-19 dari segi keselamatan siber mengatasi negara maju lain seperti Amerika Syarikat, United Kingdom, Korea, India dan China.

Beliau berkata, di Asia Tenggara, Malaysia berada pada kedudukan kedua, manakala keempat di benua Asia.

Lebih memberangsangkan lagi, ujarnya, Malaysia secara amnya masih mempunyai kedudukan kompetitif dari segi kos jika dibandingkan dengan negara maju lain yang terlibat dalam pembangunan industri keselamatan siber itu.

''Adalah jelas asas yang telah kita bina dan pencapaian yang kita kecapi menyediakan ramuan bagi membangunkan industri keselamatan siber yang berpotensi besar untuk menyumbang kepada pembangunan ekonomi negara.

''Inisiatif-inisiatif keselamatan siber memenuhi ciri-ciri sektor yang boleh menjadi tumpuan di bawah Model Baru Ekonomi (MBE)," katanya ketika melancarkan Program Kesejahteraan Siber di Sekolah di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tandek di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Musa Aman; Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Ongkili dan Timbalannya, Fadilah Yusof.

Muhyiddin berkata, industri keselamatan siber tempatan mempunyai potensi besar untuk berkembang dengan pertumbuhan yang melangkaui purata pertumbuhan rantau Asia Pasifik.

Katanya, berdasarkan data Frost & Sullivan, pasaran keselamatan rangkaian Malaysia dijangka tumbuh sebanyak 19 peratus setahun dan mencecah RM856 juta pada tahun 2015.

Mengulas mengenai program hari ini, Muhyiddin berharap inisiatif itu akan dapat membantu dan membimbing guru serta murid sekolah mengenal pasti ancaman siber dan menggunakan Internet secara berhemah.

Dengan ini, katanya, program pembestarian yang menyasarkan 10,000 sekolah dapat dilaksanakan dengan jayanya.

Sementara itu, Ongkili dalam ucapannya berkata, jumlah gangguan siber yang dilaporkan ke Pusat Bantuan Cyber999 meningkat sebanyak 92 peratus kepada 4,390 kes sepanjang lapan bulan pertama tahun ini berbanding 2,289 kes bagi tempoh yang sama tahun lalu.

Beliau menjelaskan, gangguan itu melibatkan kes penipuan, cubaan pencerobohan, pencerobohan, kod berbahaya, spam dan gangguan perkhidmatan.

''Jumlah kes melibatkan bukti data digital yang dikendalikan oleh Jabatan Forensik Digital Cybersecurity Malaysia turut meningkat sebanyak 58.17 peratus kepada 329 kes berbanding 208 kes pada tempoh yang sama," katanya.

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USM researchers headed for Haiti
Saturday September 25, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...1614&sec=North

TWO researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) will be sent to Haiti next week to help the republic rebuild their higher education infrastructure.

The researchers are being sent under a special edition of Leadership Development for Higher Education Reform (LEADHER), a programme run by the International Association of Universities (IAU) based in Paris, France.

The special edition was set up to facilitate development of higher education in Haiti after the earthquake struck in January this year. Components of the programme include grants up to 10,000 Euros per project.

USM vice chancellor Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said: “We want to show our unity as a community of scholars to help meet the urgent needs of Haiti. We are also offering our previous experiences of helping to rebuild Acheh and Pakistan.”

Dzulkifli, who is also the vice-president of IAU, said USM would also share their expertise in, among others, designs of lightweight blocks, anti-seismic buildings and training modules for paramedics and non-medical civilians in post-disaster areas.

Ecole Superieure d’Infotronique d’Haiti (ESIH), a higher education institute in Haiti, is USM’s main partner.

ESIH vice-dean, Patrick Attie said: “We have seen USM’s expertise, particularly through their School of Medical Sciences efforts in disaster-stricken areas and that is instrumental in getting us prepared for the future,” he said.

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Understand Islam better, Najib tells America
By WONG CHUN WAI Updated: Saturday September 25, 2010 MYT 9:12:21 PM
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story...406&sec=nation



Najib in New York
US President Barack Obama (second from left) is joined for a photo with
Asean leaders (from left) President Nguyen Minh Triet, President Benigno
Aquino III and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in New York on Friday. - AP

NEW YORK: Americans need to understand Islam better to stop the increasing Islamophobia in the United States, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said there appeared to be a negative perception of the religion and Malaysia was prepared to work with the United States to fend off such intolerance.

The concern, he said, was brought up during a discussion between Asean leaders and President Barack Obama here on Friday.

He commended the Obama Administration for its firm handling of the recent episode where a little-known Florida pastor, Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center, had threatened to burn copies of the Quran, sparking worldwide outrage from people of all faiths. His International Burn a Quran Day was eventually called off.

Najib said Americans needed to have better knowledge and understanding of Islam, pointing out that a recent poll by an international magazine had revealed that 26% of Americans thought that Obama was a Muslim.

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life also reportedly detected a real and lingering tendency to see Islam and Muslims though the lens of extremism.

The study found that the American public’s views of Islam had worsened since 2005 - 30% had a favourable view and 38% did not.

Last year, a Gallup Poll found that 53% of Americans viewed Islam in an unfavourable light.

Speaking to Malaysian newsmen here on Friday evening Najib said that while there were American extremist groups that were loud, they did not represent the majority of Americans.

Malaysia’s concern was brought up by Najib during the discussion between Asean leaders and Obama on Friday.

This was the second annual meeting involving Asean leaders and an American president, with the first held in Singapore last year.

Najib also proposed that the US send English language teachers to Asean nations, similar to the Peace Corps programme of the 1960s initiated by President John F. Kennedy where youth volunteers travelled the globe to help in community projects.

Obama, in reply, said the Peace Corp programme was meaningful for him as his late mother had travelled under the programme to Indonesia where he spent a part of his childhood.

Najib also met several leaders, including Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke.

Holbroke is the top ranking US envoy under the Obama Administration and had brokered the agreement between warring factions in Bosnia when he was the US Ambassador to Germany from 1993-1994.

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Saifuddin: KL prepared to send experts to counter Islamophobia in US
Monday September 27, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...293&sec=nation

TEMERLOH: The Higher Education Ministry is prepared to send lecturers who are experts in Islamic studies to explain the religion so as to check Islamophobia in the United States and other parts of the world.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the country had many experts in the field who could correct the misconception about Islam among Americans and other Westerners.

In fact, he said, many lecturers from Malaysia were once lecturers or guest lecturers at foreign universities.

“Whether Islamophobia is deliberately created by the West or they simply fail to understand the religion, it is important for us to correct the misconception about Islam.

“Otherwise, Islamphobia will create problems, especially for companies owned or products produced by Muslims, which may be feared or turned away by the West,” he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house in Kampung Lebak Seberang, here, yesterday.

He was earlier asked to comment on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s willingness to send experts in Islamic studies to correct misconception about Islam among Americans and Westerners, which he expressed during his meeting with US president Barack Obama in New York recently.

Saifuddin said Islamophobia, which was prejudice against or an irrational fear of Islam and Muslims, had become a phenomenon in the United States since the Sept 11, 2001 attack.

He is worried that Islamophobia will continue to prevail and become a threat to Muslims all over the world, including those studying in institutions in western countries.

“Our experts are qualified as we have the experience of administering a country which is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious like the US,” said Saifuddin. — Bernama

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Sirim Signs MoU With Malay Bangla
September 27, 2010 20:26 PM
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5....php?id=530736

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Sirim Bhd and Malay Bangla Communicators Sdn Bhd have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the provision of green and renewable energy solutions to Bangladesh.

In a statement here Monday, Sirim said under the MoU, it would provide the solutions for the government and private sector in Bangladesh, particularly in solar and windmill energy and also micro hydro power.

In addition, Sirim said, it would provide induction training to outbound Bangladeshi workers working in Malaysia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.

"At the end of the three-day course, the workers will be certified by Sirim," it said.

Sirim said its role included evaluating the trainers, developing the training syllabus and issuing certificates to the workers.

Malay Bangla and its sister company in Bangladesh, Malay Bangla Training Centre, would identify and select the training centres and provide advisory services, it said.

-- BERNAMA

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Genting pays New York US$380m for parlor
Published: 2010/09/28

Genting Malaysia Bhd paid New York state US$380 million to develop an electronic slot machine parlor at New York City’s Aqueduct Racetrack, US$80 million more than the minimum specified by the state.

The payment by the Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-based company arrived five days before the due date. New York state plans to sell US$250 million of bonds backed by its personal income tax to help finance the project, said Erik Kriss, a spokesman for the Budget Division.

“After almost a decade of delay, this project is finally becoming a reality and all New Yorkers will benefit,” Governor David Paterson said in a statement. The payment exceeded the US$300 million assumed by lawmakers in the state budget, which closed a US$9.2 billion gap. Similar assumptions in previous years were inaccurate.

The state expects the video-lottery machines will produce more than US$279 million of revenue annually after paying gambling prizes and other expenses, according to Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for the New York Lottery, which handled bidding for the project.

About 1,600 machines are to be installed within six months, followed within six months by another 2,925 terminals, a 2,100- space parking garage and a new pedestrian bridge to the Aqueduct subway station, according to the recommendation by the Lottery. Later, Genting will build a new covered entrance to the race track, which is in Queens.

The payment came almost two weeks after Genting’s stock rose to a two-year high in Kuala Lumpur when the contract was approved. -- Bloomberg

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Khazanah is Camco’s biggest shareholder
Published: 2010/09/28

KHAZANAH Nasional Berhad of Malaysia became the biggest shareholder of Camco International Ltd after buying shares on the market yesterday and forming a venture with the developer of emission reduction projects.

Payar Investments Ltd, a unit of Khazanah, yesterday bought 34.5 million shares representing 19.56 per cent, Camco said today in a statement distributed by the Regulatory News Service. After 9.28 million shares received via a joint venture agreement, Khazanah will own 23.59 per cent of the company, according to the statement. Khazanah is the investment holding arm of the Malaysian government. - Bloomberg

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Three Malaysian Companies To Invest In India's Sri City
September 28, 2010 17:02 PM

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Three Malaysian companies are expected to sign several agreements before year-end to invest in Sri City, India's first integrated business city located about 55 kilometres North of Chennai.

Sri City Private Limited Vice President C. Saravanan said the three Malaysian companies were currently locked in negotiations.

"We expect the Malaysian companies to sign an agreement before the year-end and invest about US$25 million," he told reporters here Tuesday.

Saravanan is leading a delegation of Sri City top executives on a six-day official visit to Malaysia to lure Malaysian companies to establish industrial units in India.

He said the three non-listed Malaysian companies are keen to venture into the industrial machinery sector for both the export and domestic markets.

"Sri City has attracted over 35 multi-national companies with investments worth about US$150 million," he said, adding that 11 companies were currently in operation while five were still under construction.

"We are expecting to get at least another 15 companies to invest in Sri City before the first-quarter of next year," he said, adding that he will be meeting the InvestPenang branch representative in Perak tomorrow before heading to Kuala Lumpur to meet representatives from the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

Sri City, is sprawled over 2,000 hectares of which 1,520 hectares has been set aside for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) with well-demarcated industrial zones and necessary customs clearance.

"Well-demarcated industrial zones with the SEZ and Domestic Tariff Zones (DTZ) include automotive, engineering, logistics and warehousing, aerospace, electronic, biotech/pharma, renewable energy and other eco-friendly industries," he said.

With the strategic location on the border of two highly industrialised states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, he said Sri City offered unmatched connectivity through three sea-ports, two international airports, national highways and broad gauge railway service.

"The location advantage provides easy access to manpower resouces - from unskilled, semi-skilled to skilled labour and professionals," he said.

Master planned and designed by renowned Singapore-based Jurong Consultants, Sri City is being developed on the concept of Work-Live-Learn-Play model to emerge as a complete and integrated business city.

-- BERNAMA

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Najib proposes Malaysia Day at NYSE
Updated: Tuesday September 28, 2010 MYT 12:52:30 PM



NEW YORK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (left) ready to strike with a mallet
at the closing of the trading day in the New York Stock Exchange trading room here,
Monday(Tuesday in Malaysia). Beside him is New York Stock Exchange CEO, Duncan
Niedevaner. -BERNAMA pic by Mustaza Mohd Yusoff

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak visited the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and rang the closing bell on Monday.

He had earlier held discussions with the bourse's top executives led by NYSE Euronet chief executive officer (CEO) Duncan Niederauer, on ways to assist Malaysian investors in securing access into the US capital market.

In a brief remark after signing the guest book, Najib said that he had proposed the hosting of a Malaysia Day at the bourse, to attract US investors into the Malaysian market as well as other markets in the Southeast Asia region. He said Malaysia could be a gateway for US investors into the ASEAN market, which he described as one of the fastest growing, in Asia.

The Prime Minister said ASEAN bourses should work closely and be more integrated so as to attract foreign investors. Accompanying Najib during the visit was Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis, Bursa Malaysia chairman Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah and several other officials.

The Prime Minister is in New York to attend the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The NYSE, located at 11 Wall Street, is the largest stock exchange in the world, with market capitalisation at an estimated $11.9 trillion as of August this year. - BERNAMA

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Matrade mission to Russia to expand automotive, food markets
Updated: Tuesday September 28, 2010 MYT 2:52:28 PM
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...3&sec=business

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will lead a specialised marketing mission for automotive parts and food products, to the Russian cities of Moscow and Kazan from Oct 3-7.

As one of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries, which are the world's fastest growing economies, Russia's 143 million consumers represent a significant trading opportunity for Malaysian exporters in these sectors, said its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin. "As such, it is imperative that this mission aims at achieving a breakthrough in terms of expanding access to the Russian market," he said in a statement here today.

The Malaysian delegation will be able to leverage on the one-on-one business meetings arranged by MATRADE with key Russian importers and distributors such as NAPAK, RenAvtoTsentr, Tri Solnca LLC and FABUS LLC.

NAPAK is an established distributor of automotive parts and components with RenAvtoTsentr being the largest dealer of Russian KAMAZ trucks while Tri Solnca and FABUS LLC are distributors and wholesalers of food products and ingredients.

Noharuddin said there were no specific protective measures against Malaysian automotive and food products entering the Russian market.

However, trade between Malaysia and Russia can be expanded further should lower duties be imposed for major products traded between both countries, he added.

Meanwhile, the Russian market for car parts, accessories, tools and service equipment is expected to grow significantly over the next few years with products such as filters, ignition starters, fuel injection systems, oil and additives and wheels at the forefront.

By 2012, Russia's car market is expected to be the third largest in the world, after the US and China.

In the meantime, the rapidly growing food and beverage industry in Russia also offers significant trading opportunities for Malaysian companies in the areas of canned fruits and vegetables, cocoa-based products, frozen food, fruit juices, halal products, and snacks and chips.

Noharuddin said establishing a joint venture with a Russian entity was one of the alternatives for Malaysian companies to penetrate the Russian market "However, logistical limitations, disparities in wealth distribution and lack of credit facilities are among the issues that need to be tackled. "The prospects for Malaysian exporters to this market, nonetheless, remain promising," he added. BERNAMA

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Potential for rubber exports to hit RM30b
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2010/09/29
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html



Malaysia's export of rubber products is expected to touch RM30 billion in 10 years, driven primarily by strong demand for rubber gloves.

Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the RM30 billion mark can easily be achieved as the world becomes more health-conscious and also given the aging population and increasing number of nursing homes and more stringent regulations.

He attributes growth to glove makers like Top Glove, Supermax, Kossan, Hartalega and others boosting exports to emerging markets like India, China, South America, Latin America and the Middle East.

Local players are investing some RM1 billion up to 2015 to improve production and upgrade existing plants, he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, after opening MARGMA's 5th International Rubber Glove Conference and Exhibition 2010.

Malaysia is the world's biggest glove manufacturer. Last year, it exported RM7.2 billion worth of gloves, supplying more than 65 per cent of global demand.


Global demand last year was 150 billion pieces or RM12 billion. This is expected to grow by 10 per cent per annum, giving local players an opportunity to increase their supply, Dompok said.

"Locally, we expect a growth rate of 12.5 per cent. If we can sustain that, then we will be able to achieve the RM30 billion target," he said.

Dompok said RM25 billion will come from the export of latex-based products, and about RM5 billion from dry rubber goods.

"I have prevailed to Cabinet for the rubber gloves industry to be part of the key economic areas, similar to palm oil. Cabinet has agreed. Commodity laboratories are being set up," he said.

Dompok said to move the industry forward, challenges like high operating cost including raw material price, rising technical demand and labour shortage must be addressed.

"It is timely to revitalise and confront the various challenges brought about by globalisation," he said.

Meanwhile, Supermax Corp Bhd executive chairman and group managing director Datuk Stanley Thai said he expects the price of wet latex to drop from RM7.30 per kilo now to RM5.50 to RM6.00 towards end of this year.

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Invest Malaysia roadshow in HK Oct 21
Published: 2010/09/30
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New.../buhk/Article/

BURSA Malaysia (1818), in partnership with OSK Investment Bank, will bring its flagship Invest Malaysia roadshow to Hong Kong on October 21.

Themed "Powering Global Excellence", the roadshow is aimed at showcasing Malaysia's attractive investment opportunities, Bursa Malaysia said in a statement yesterday.

It said Hong Kong-based investors will be able to tap the growth potential of the country's multinational expansion, championed by Malaysian companies that have solid reach throughout Asean and Asia.

Investors will gain insights into mid-to -large capitalised companies that have gained sector leadership regionally or globally, it added.

Bursa said Invest Malaysia Hong Kong 2010 provides an insight into Malaysia's unique mix of global and regional champions that have been successful in their own fields or are emerging companies with unique value propositions.

Other highlights include a look into the government's economic transformation programme that aims to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation. - Bernama

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Pelabur antarabangsa dipelawa
ARKIB : 29/09/2010
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info...n&pg=mh_01.htm



Najib Tun Razak menandatangani buku lawatan semasa melawat Bursa Saham
New York, semalam. Turut sama Duncan Niederauer (kanan) dan Anifah Aman.

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Sept. - Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menggesa pelabur antarabangsa mengambil bahagian dalam Program Transformasi Ekonomi Malaysia yang menawarkan peluang pelaburan perniagaan yang luas menerusi beratus-ratus projek.

Dalam membuat gesaan itu, Najib berkata inisiatif khusus menerusi ETP membabitkan tujuh projek "yang sudah dikenal pasti dan sedia untuk dilaksanakan serta-merta."

Tujuh projek itu dengan pelaburan bernilai RM114.7 bilion, akan dimulakan sebelum akhir tahun.

"Banyak lagi dalam perancangan. Kami mempunyai 131 inisiatif spesifik yang akan menjadi projek ketara, yang akan diumumkan, dan pelabur akan dipelawa untuk menyertainya," kata Najib dalam temu bual pada program bisnes Closing Bell Excess CNBC di New York pada petang Isnin.

Closing Bell Excess merupakan program perniagaan yang ditonton ramai di seluruh dunia yang menemu bual pemimpin, ahli ekonomi terkemuka dan penggerak pasaran.

Najib yang juga Menteri Kewangan, turut memberi jaminan kepada pelabur bahawa terdapat mekanisma berkesan untuk memastikan pelaksanaan projek bagi merealisasikan Malaysia sebagai ekonomi berpendapatan tinggi menjelang 2020.

Menerusi pelaburan bernilai AS$1.4 trilion yang diperlukan untuk memacu ETP, Najib berkata, kerajaan sedang "mengenal pasti usaha untuk menghidupkan semula peranan swasta supaya menjadi sektor dominan."

Kerajaan juga sedang mengkaji kira-kira lapan inisiatif reformasi strategik yang akan memacu program transformasi, yang akhirnya akan mewujudkan 3.3 juta pekerjaan di Malaysia dalam usaha untuk menjadi negara maju.

Najib yang kini berada di New York untuk menghadiri Perhimpunan Agung Pertubuhan Bangsa Bersatu berkata, Malaysia juga mengambil kira pelaburan yang susut tahun lepas dan realiti dalam pasaran, dengan saingan sengit untuk mendapatkan pelaburan dolar.

"Apa yang perlu kita lakukan ialah menjadi lebih kompetitif di peringkat global (dan untuk itu), kami telah meliberalisasikan 27 subsektor untuk menarik pelabur antarabangsa.

"Kami sedang mengkaji lebih banyak inisiatif reformasi, selain mengkaji untuk mewujudkan pelan khusus yang akan menarik pasaran.

"Saya rasakan pasaran sudahpun teruja terhadap rancangan itu, oleh itu kami yakin sasaran itu boleh dicapai," kata Najib.

Mengenai ekonomi, Najib berkata, fundamentalnya memihak untuk memacu pertumbuhan.

Angkanya sangat menarik, katanya merujuk peningkatan superlatif 10.1 peratus dalam Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) pada suku pertama tahun ini, diikuti pertumbuhan 8.5 peratus pada suku kedua.

"Kami mengunjurkan prestasi yang lebih baik tahun ini... pastinya kira-kira enam peratus," katanya.

Perdana Menteri turut menyuarakan keyakinan beliau terhadap kestabilan kewangan Malaysia yang diperkukuh oleh bank dan institusi kewangan, dengan sistem perbankan yang sangat cair dan aktiviti pinjaman yang sangat kukuh.

Sumbangan lain termasuk keyakinan kukuh pengguna, permintaan domestik yang tinggi selain persekitaran luaran dan kedudukan kukuh Malaysia sebagai rakan dagang yang meletakkan negara pada kedudukan yang baik dan menyumbang terhadap asas ekonomi makronya.

Selain sikap skeptik sesetengah pihak, Najib menegaskan Malaysia sangat fokus untuk menjadi negara maju berdasarkan "satu kriteria yang boleh diukur iaitu KDNK perkapita."

"Tidak guna bercakap mengenai terma umum, lebih baik sasaran kita lebih spesifik. Ya, kami mahu berkembang, kami mahu meningkatkan KDNK perkapita daripada kira-kira AS$7,000 kepada lebih AS$15,000.

"Ia merupakan perjalanan ke arah transformasi besar-besaran," katanya.

Mengenai projek berkaitan infrastruktur, seperti pembangunan tenaga nuklear dan kereta api berkelajuan tinggi ke Singapura yang dibincangkan akan membuka lebih banyak peluang, Najib menjelaskan bahawa beberapa projek terbabit bukan untuk dilaksanakan serta-merta dan akan dirancang untuk perlaksanaan dalam tempoh empat lima tahun akan datang.

Bagaimanapun, ia membolehkan pelabur merancang ke hadapan kerana sudah ada arah tuju yang jelas, kata Najib.

Mengenai pandangan bahawa perbicaraan kes liwat membabitkan bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menjejaskan reputasi negara, Najib berkata, ia bukan membicarakan mengenai politik.

"Ia membabitkan seorang individu terhadap individu yang lain," katanya.

"Dan, ada undang-undang di Malaysia dan badan kehakiman adalah bebas, oleh itu orang ramai perlu menerima hakikatnya," kata Najib. - BERNAMA

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PM's visit to EU marks strengthening ties
By Anis Ibrahim Published: 2010/10/02
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...tojib/Article/

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak's visit to the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem 8) next week will be the first to the European Union by a Malaysian prime minister, marking expanding ties between Malaysia and the EU.

Najib will be one of the 48 world leaders who are expected to attend the two-day meeting in Brussels, Belgium on October 4.

In a joint statement to the New Straits Times, head of the EU delegation to Malaysia Vincent Piket and Belgian ambassador to Malaysia Frank van de Craen said the similarities between the EU and Asia make the former a natural partner for Asia.

Together, the two regions account for over half of the world's gross domestic product (GDP), more than half of the world's population and over 60 per cent of global trade.

These figures are likely to rise as the economic relationship between the two regions is growing fast, with increasing trade and investment.

A first way forward would be in the area of development as Europe and Asia both have internal disparities with rich and poor states existing side by side, creating instability.

"Instabilities cause massive labour migration, legal or illegal. They cause trafficking in human beings and other types of crime. The EU and Asia should therefore step up development cooperation to make sure that all Asian developing countries will realise the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)."

One of the issues likely to be discussed at Asem 8 is the threat of resource scarcity, closely linked to development and poverty.

Both Piket and van de Craen believe that the only way of dealing with the depletion of natural resources is through sustainable development.

[nazrey]

SUPERCARRIER: USS Abraham Lincoln, nicknamed Abe, pulled into Star Cruise Terminal,
Pulau Indah at 9am today from home port Everett, Washington. More than 5,000 crew
onboard will spend three days here, the ship's first port of call in her current
deployment. NST picture by Roslin Mat Tahir. Oct 8, 2010 6:35 pm

[nazrey]

Malaysia, France ink financial pact
Published: 2010/10/12
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Banque de France have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote greater cooperation in financial services between the two central banks.

In a joint statement here today, the banks said the MoU reflected the commitment to cooperate towards the advancement of the Islamic finance industry in the both countries.

BNM governor, Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz and governor of Banque de France, Christian Noyer, signed the MoU on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meetings in Washington.

The statement said the MoU would pave the way for greater collaboration in strengthening the financial inter-linkages between the key financial centres.


"The MoU aims to foster long-term strategic developments in conventional and Islamic finance between Malaysia and France by focusing on three key areas," it said.

The areas are:
Enhancing the mutual cooperation on capacity building and human capital development in the financial services industry;

Facilitating and promoting the development of an effective and conducive financial market infrastructure; and,

Enhancing cross-border financial activities including promoting consistent application of cross-border Islamic financial transactions. - Bernama

[nazrey]

Malaysia to help Madagascar draw up plan
Wednesday October 13, 2010
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story...7&sec=business



Ravatomanga Maminiaina (left) presenting a souvenir to Tan Sri Nor Mohamed
Yakcop. Looking on are Economic Planning Unit deputy director-general 1
Datuk Mat Noor Nawi and director of macroeconomics sector Nik Azman Nik
Abdul Majid (right).

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will be assisting Madagascar in drawing up its economic masterplan while at the same time look for opportunities in Madagascar’s vast resources of minerals and oil and gas.

In a meeting between the economic advisor to Madagascar’s president, Ravatomanga Maminiaina, with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop on Monday, Yakcop had offered to send officers to Madagascar to study its economic structure.

He also invited key officials from Madagascar to come to Malaysia for further economic and business discussions.

“This is our first contact with Malaysia. We are looking forward to working with Malaysia, as we already have a historical relationship. We also have similarities in culture, language, food and climate,” said Maminiaina.

He added that Madagascar was in the process of opening up its economy and was seeking foreign investment to grow its economy. Presently, China and Japan have a strong presence in Madagascar, as they are eyeing its supplies of raw minerals.

In the last five years, mining has been a huge contributor to Madagascar’s gross domestic product. The country has huge resources in gold, nickel, cobalt, iron ore and illmenites.

“During our discussion (with Nor Mohamed), we had talked about the possibility of having cooperation in the areas of oil and gas, construction, infrastructure works, setting up commercial banks and bringing in the Proton car,” said Maminiaina.

Madagascar’s sources of growth are tourism, textile and light manufacturing exports, agricultural products and mining.

It is also the world’s leading producer of vanilla and accounts for about half the world’s export market.

In 2009, it recorded a gross domestic product of US$19.35bil and per capita income of US$932.

Malaysia will be assisting Madagascar via the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), which is its vehicle in carrying out its South-South cooperation commitments.

Malaysia’s total trade with South-South countries was US$103.7mil (RM331.84mil) in 2009 and in the first four months of 2010, it was US$42.55mil (RM136.6mil).

Starting 2010 onwards, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) will take over the administration and coordination of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).

On Malaysia’s investment in South-South countries, he said it totalled US$8.11bil (RM25.95bil) last year, mostly in quarrying and mining, financial intermediation, services, agriculture and manufacturing.

[nazrey]

Microsoft Malaysia aims to be Asia's top 3
Published: 2010/10/18
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...cle/index_html

Microsoft Malaysia aims to be among the top three countries in Asia in term of market share for next year.

Its Managing Director Ananth Lazarus, is optimistic over the target, saying, the company's newly launched smartphone Windows Phone 7, will be a key factor in the business.

"The smartphone market is growing in Malaysia.

According to the analyst firm, GFK Retail and Technology, there was double-digit share growth for smartphones across Asia last year.

"GFK also noted the very competitive data plan rates offered by network operators in Malaysia and the considerable price reductions in South Korea," he told Bernama in an interview recently.

He also said these factors had made both countries, the leading Asian smartphone markets, with each achieving a market share growth of over 30 per cent.

The new Windows Phone 7 offers a completely different value proposition to "Life Maximisers", the spot between, those who want to use their smart phones for personal tasks and others for professional reasons, via the People Hub and the Office Hub. - Bernama