afternoon highlight (14/06/12/105/579) Miti to impose licensing requirements

Miti to impose licensing requirements

  PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian government is imposing licensing requirements on eight tariff lines of alloy steel products imported into the country with effect from Friday.


The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) said in a statement yesterday that the ruling was to ensure imported alloy steel products meet established quality and safety requirements.


It added that the licensing rules were to minimise the importation of sub-standard products and also to facilitate the monitoring of trade in these products.

Source : The Star

Date : 14 June 2012

afternoon highlight (14/06/12/105/579)

Today's Pick (14/06/12/106/800) Budget 2013 to prepare economy to face challenges

Budget 2013 to prepare economy to face challenges

KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2013 will prepare the economy to face challenges arising from the current situation in Europe, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.
He said next year’s budget would ensure the Malaysian economy continue to grow at a sustainable level.
Mustapa said it would focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), investments and trade.
“In Budget 2012, the Government introduced various programmes to further develop SMEs. I hope these programmes will be continued to help SMEs grow. We hope to introduce new programmes (in Budget 2013),” he said after a the awarding of outstanding service awards in conjunction with the retirement of staff of the International Trade and Industry Ministry.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will table Budget 2013 in parliament on Sept 28. Najib is also Finance Minister.
On exports, Mustapa said while there were ups and downs, the 5%-6% growth projection for this year was still on track. — Bernama
Source : The Star                        Date : 13 June 2012
Today's Pick (14/06/12/106/800)  

afternoon highlight (13/06/12/104/578) Companies Commission of Malaysia told to rejuvenate definition of corporate governance

Companies Commission of Malaysia told to rejuvenate definition of corporate governance

 

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has told the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) to rejuvenate the national definition of corporate governance that is already more than a decade old.
He said a new paradigm shift must be introduced to corporate governance in line with the 21st century business environment.
It should not only be perceived as a tool to mitigate risks but instead as a strategic mechanism and offensive tool to further the national economy and enhance business operations, the deputy prime minister said.
“It is timely to redefine corporate governance to include flavours of ethical values, honour and leadership,” he said in a speech read out by Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the start of the CCM National Conference 2012 here yesterday.
Present was CCM chief executive officer Mohd Naim Daruwish.
Muhyiddin said a closer look at the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook as well as other global indices revealed that apart from key economic and business consideration such as GDP growth, assessments were also made on practices linked to corporate governance.
Among the practices, he said, were corporate ethics, corporate audit and reporting, efficacy of the board of directors, investors' protection, minority shareholders' protection and standard of disclosure.
In the Global Competitiveness Report 2011, Malaysia rose five ranks from 26th to 21st place among 142 countries.
The country also improved to 18th from 23rd place out of 182 economies in the World Bank's Doing Business 2012 and leapfrogged to 50th place from 113th place in the “Starting a Business” indicator.
Muhyiddin said taking the concept down to individual companies, good corporate governance practices would carry excellent business value.
“Companies which practise good corporate governance could be an investor magnet,” he said.
The also had relatively easier access to credit facilities from banks and financial institutions, and good public reputation, he added.
He said employees in these companies would be more motivated, loyal and productive.
“Talented university graduates would want to be part of institutions which carry positive vibes,” he said.
Themed “Managing Corporate Governance. Creating Value. Transforming Economy”, the two-day CCM National Conference is organised through CCM's corporate training arm, Companies Commission of Malaysia Training Academy. - Bernama

Source : The Star

Date : 13 June 2012

afternoon highlight (13/06/12/104/578) 

Today's Pick (13/06/12/105/799) TSI Group's wholesale hub on track for RM1b revenue

TSI Group's wholesale hub on track for RM1b revenue

KLANG: TSI Group's wholesale hub in Klang, called GM Klang Wholesale City, is on track to become Southeast Asia's largest wholesale centre and make over RM1 billion in revenue yearly.

TSI group managing director Datuk Lim Seng Kok said the wholesale city is the first of its kind in the country.

"Once fully completed, the RM2 billion project will boast more than 3,000 wholesalers spread over four blocks, with a gross floor area of over two million sq ft, with plans to add a business hotel, conference centre and a busines matching centre," Lim said in his speech here yesterday after a new tenancy agreement.

He said GM Klang can meet the need for a wholesale hub in the country and the region as well as bolster halal product activities as it has a dedicated halal hub.

Located near various ports in Klang, it serves the needs of many Southeast Asian companies, Asian nations and become an international gateway for trade.

The privately-held TSI held a tenancy agreement with 200 new tenants as well as signed a memorandum of understanding with two Chinese partners.

Phase one began operations in October 2009 with 90,000 sq ft of lettable space, housing 330 wholesalers of small merchandise from apparels to information technology (IT) products.
Phase two, known as GM Klang Blok A, is expected to be completed and begin operations in October this year.

It will boast 750 wholesalers and various food and beverage outlets in 10-storey blocks, offering products such as apparels, textiles, bags, timepieces, footwear, spectacles, cosme-tics, stationeries, toys, gifts, and electrical and electronic products.
Meanwhile, TSI also signed MOUs with Xia Bao Wen of SM International Wholesale (China) Centre, Adam Tan of Pearl Harbour Industry and Alex Li Shang Xin.

All the parties will assist in overseas product sourcing and marketing efforts as well as highlight relevant manufacturers and businesses in China who might benefit from GM Klang and bring their products into the country.

This is in line with China's government economic objective of expanding business out of China.

Established in 1987, TSI has over 40 subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures locally as well as overseas. It first ventured into property in 1999 and has undertaken over 3,000 units of various types of property valued at about RM1 billion.

 

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 12 June 2012

Today's Pick (13/06/12/105/799)

afternoon highlight (12/06/12/103/577) The foreign hypermarket dilemma

The foreign hypermarket dilemma

DETERRENT: Sudden changes and ad-hoc rules governing their operations may not be the best selling points

 

THE probability of a new foreign hypermarket player in the likes of Walmart, Costco and Metro entering Malaysia is close to nil.

A foreign player here not only has to adhere to stringent regulations on expansion and other requirements but brace itself for ad-hoc rules that most often than not involve extra costs.
Rules governing foreign hypermarket operations in Malaysia have changed numerous times since 2001, so much so that it is easy to lose count on those changes that have been made.

At present, the rules governing foreign hypermarkets in Malaysia come under The Guidelines on Foreign Participation in the Distributive Trade Services Malaysia 2004 (revised in 2010).

 

The guidelines, to name a few, require hypermarkets to be located beyond the 3.5km radius of a town centre, have a floor size larger than 5,000 sq metres and that only one hypermarket is allowed for every 250,000 population.
The initial rules by the then Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, coincidentally shortly after Tesco announced its entry into Malaysia, were to stop the death of sundry shops.

The ministry started receiving complaints that the expansion of foreign hypermarkets was to the detriment of the traditional mum-and-pop stores.

There were three other major foreign players already in the market at that time - Carrefour, Giant and Makro Cash & Carry.

So, for each new location identified for a new store, an impact study (roughly costing RM25,000) on the neighbourhood kedai runcit has to be conducted.

Ad-hoc rules, some later incorporated into the guidelines, were made when, for example, Tesco decided to operate its stores 24 hours. The ministry wasted no time in coming out to say that no foreign hypermarkets would be allowed to operate around the clock.
Several other rules were introduced along the way.

A five-year freeze on openings in certain location was imposed and about two years ago, the ministry decided that it would not issue new licences but simply swap old unused licences for new ones.

And then, there are other obligations that a hypermarket operator has to adhere to.

Each foreign player had to nurture and teach local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) how to label and package their products. In fact, a few years ago, it was not uncommon to hear that the more these hypermarkets helped the SMEs, the more brownie points a hypermarket got in terms of being considered for a new licence.
More recently, Tukar (small retailer transformation programme) was introduced.

Hypermarket operators are to help sundry shops to modernise and efficiently manage their stores to improve their competitiveness. Each hypermarket is required to pledge that it will transform a certain number of stores.
The most recent ruling is for the need to hold a public hearing when the population to hypermarket ratio is not met. While this appears to be a good solution as it allows the community to decide if they wanted a foreign hypermarket player in the locale, some local councils simply felt that they had no obligation to hold a public hearing.

This simply means you cannot open a store if they don't hear you out. And if a hearing is held, any expenses incurred are likely to be borne by the hypermarket operator.

Investment is not restricted to expansion but a player must be prepared to spend money on impact assessment, SME education, promoting local products and even the Tukar programme.

To be clear, only foreign hypermarket licences are granted by the ministry and only foreign players have to adhere to these guidelines.
There are no restrictions on where local hypermarket operators can open their stores nor where they can source their products from.

So, is it worth going through all this trouble and enter the market as a new player? Possibly not.

The best avenue to expand for a new entrant would be via acquisition of an existing chain.

Based on trend over the last decade, it is pretty safe to assume that more changes can be expected in the future to regulate the industry.

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 11 June 2012

afternoon highlight (12/06/12/103/577) 

Today's Pick (12/06/12/104/798) Tujuh ekspo sasar jualan RM100 juta

Tujuh ekspo sasar jualan RM100 juta

KEMENTERIAN Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK) menyasarkan jualan sehingga RM100 juta sepanjang penganjuran tujuh siri Ekspo Beli Barangan Malaysia 2012 yang bermula semalam.

Timbalan Ketua Setiausahanya, Datin Mahani Tan Abdullah, berkata sasaran hampir sekali ganda berbanding jualan tahun lalu itu susulan penyertaan syarikat tempatan dengan pelbagai rangkaian produk selain pembabitan syarikat multinasional yang meninjau peluang padanan perniagaan menerusi ekspo itu.

 

“Ekspo kali ini berbeza kerana ada pembabitan syarikat multinasional dan dewan perniagaan yang turut serta bagi mencari padanan perniagaan dengan syarikat tempatan yang berskala kecil.

 

“Tahun lalu, ekspo yang sama hanya membabitkan beberapa kedutaan luar negara di Malaysia yang juga bertindak mencari syarikat berpotensi untuk bekerjasama,” katanya kepada Berita Harian selepas perasmian Ekspo Beli Barangan Malaysia peringkat kebangsaan, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Majlis perasmian disempurnakan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Hadir sama, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob dan timbalannya, Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim serta Ketua Setiausaha KPDNKK, Datuk Saripuddin Kassim.

Ekspo Beli Barangan Malaysia pertama tahun ini yang berlangsung di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) bermula semalam hingga Ahad ini itu, disertai hampir 200 pempamer di 70 tapak pameran dengan tema ‘Inovasi Buatan 1Malaysia Bertaraf Dunia’.
Enam lagi ekspo sama akan diadakan di Terengganu, Johor, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak dan Perak.

Sementara itu, Ismail Sabri dalam ucapannya berkata, penganjuran ekspo itu bertujuan mengetengahkan produk inovatif dalam bidang permotoran, teknologi hijau, aplikasi kenderaan, pakaian, makanan, hiburan, penerbitan, pendidikan dan perkhidmatan.
“Ekspo ini memberi ruang dan peluang kepada peserta industri tempatan menjalankan perniagaan serta mendapatkan pasaran baru sama ada di peringkat domestik atau global,” katanya.

Mengenai kepentingan penggunaan logo buatan Malaysia bagi produk tempatan, beliau berkata, logo yang bertindak sebagai pengesahan negara pengeluar adalah kriteria utama yang dinilai sebelum sesuatu produk memasuki pasaran negara lain.
Di negara ASEAN, katanya, pengesahan penandaan logo itu dapat memberi insentif dari segi pengecualian tarif cukai di bawah Perjanjian Perdagangan Bebas ASEAN (AFTA) oleh negara pengimport.

 

source : Berita Harian

Date : 11 June 2012

Today's Pick (12/06/12/104/798)

afternoon highlight (11/06/12/102/576) SME Factors lancar dana biaya sektor swasta

SME Factors lancar dana biaya sektor swasta

SME Factors Sdn Bhd, syarikat yang menyediakan pembiayaan pemfaktoran kepada kontraktor dan pembekal kontrak kerajaan, akan melancarkan dana pembiayaan khusus bagi sektor swasta dalam tempoh enam bulan ini.

Pengarah Urusannya, Syed Zed Al Qudsy, berkata langkah itu berikutan permintaan tinggi yang diterima daripada kontraktor dan pem-bekal sektor swasta, khususnya membabitkan projek berimpak tinggi yang sedang giat dilaksanakan di seluruh negara kini.

“Kami akan memberi tumpuan kepada beberapa sektor seperti pengeluaran dan pembinaan, namun tidak mengehadkan untuk sektor tertentu saja.

“Buat masa ini, jumlah pelanggan kami daripada sektor swasta antara 10 hingga 15 peratus daripada 2,000 keseluruhannya dan jumlah itu meningkat dari bulan ke bulan. Justeru sudah tiba masanya pembiayaan khusus kepada kumpulan ini disediakan,” katanya pada sesi minum petang pengurusan kanan SME Factors bersama media di Petaling Jaya, semalam.

SME Factors ditubuhkan tiga tahun lalu mempunyai kepakaran dari segi mengurus profil risiko syarikat perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) dengan matlamat membantu menyediakan penyelesaian aliran tunai kepada golongan berkenaan.

Syarikat itu diiktiraf oleh Bank Negara Malaysia dan Kementerian Kewangan sebagai syarikat pemfaktoran berdaftar serta berlesen di negara ini.
Ketika ini, SME Factors menyediakan barisan komprehensif produk penyelesaian aliran tunai untuk sektor PKS, bermula daripada syarikat permulaan, syarikat bermodal sederhana, pengeluar sehinggalah kontraktor.
Syed Zed berkata, pihaknya masih belum menetapkan peruntukan yang akan disediakan bagi membiayai pelanggan sektor swasta, namun memberi bayangan jumlahnya adalah lebih tinggi daripada dana SMEsuccess, iaitu kemudahan pemfaktoran yang dikhususkan untuk vendor serta kontraktor yang mendapat kontrak atau projek daripada agensi yang menjadi ahli Persatuan Badan Berkanun Malaysia (PBBM).

Katanya, SMEsuccess yang memperuntukkan dana berjumlah RM200 juta dan baru saja dilancarkan bulan lalu itu menerima maklum balas cukup memberangsangkan, malah peruntukannya akan dinaikkan sekali ganda lagi kepada RM400 juta sebelum akhir tahun ini.

“Bagi dana sektor swasta, kami menjangkakan jumlah yang lebih tinggi akan diperuntukkan. Kami berkemungkinan besar akan menyediakan pinjaman minimum RM50,000 bagi setiap pemohon bergantung kepada saiz projek diraih pelanggan,” katanya.

Tegasnya, cabaran dihadapi SME Factors dengan rancangan menyediakan pembiayaan untuk sektor swasta adalah dari segi prosedur pe-ngurusan risiko memandangkan syarikat itu berperanan sebagai ‘jendela peluang’ kepada program pembiayaan PKS.
“Kami mempunyai kepakaran untuk menukar sesuatu risiko yang besar menjadi sebuah risiko yang boleh diuruskan. SME Factors menjadi saluran unik kepada PKS mendapatkan penyelesaian aliran tunai,” katanya.

Berikutan permintaan tinggi terhadap produknya, Syed Zed berkata SME Factors akan membuka Pusat Pengurusan Pelanggan pertamanya di Damansara Utama, bulan depan sebelum membuka lima lagi cawangan di seluruh negara sepanjang tahun ini.

Katanya, lima cawangan itu merangkumi lima wilayah utama di Malaysia iaitu masing-masing di Johor Bahru, Pulau Pinang, Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu dan Kuching.

 

Source : Berita Harian

Date : 11 June 2012

Afternoon Highlight (11/06/12/102/576)

Today's Pick (11/06/12/103/797) SMEs can shape the future

SMEs can shape the future

I have always been amazed at how Japanese SMEs are able to marry off innovation and high technology — reason for which they are highly regarded as leaders in the automobile sector and trend-setters in electronic equipment, machinery and chemical products. So much so that “copycat” products mushroomed all over the world!
During one of my trips to the Land of the Rising Sun, I was fascinated by their power of imagination and mind-blowing inventions. Not just ordinary inventions, but one that could really make a big difference in everyday lives.

A particular invention that remains etched in my mind is the phenomenal concept of a bedroom: practical for both senior citizens and those living alone.

This first-ever mechanism is based on a forced wake-up system.
If you are one of those who set up your alarm and decided to take a long, deep snooze later, think twice!
This particular invention actually detects body temperature and weight of a person on the bed.

After about 15 minutes, your alarm goes off and if it still detects body temperature and weight, the bed will automatically rise from a flat position to a 45-degree angle.

If the body temperature and weight are still detected in the next few minutes, it will straight away prop the person up to a 90-degree position.

By this time, if the person has not yet left the bed, it will trigger the bedside telephone connecting it to the nearest hospital — and within minutes, an ambulance will be right at the doorstep.

An absolute marvel indeed! From time to time, I dream that Malaysian SMEs would one day level up to the standards of the Japanese SMEs, in business ethics as well as in producing innovative and high technology products.

To encourage Malaysian corporates to move in this direction, SME Corp will showcase the best of
innovation and inventions by our local SMEs at the annual SMIDEX 2012, between June 20 and June 22, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

This platform provides the best opportunity for SMEs to put their best foot forward and present their cutting-edge services and products to the public, while basking in the various business matching activities organised during the three-day event.
Themed “SMEs — Shaping The Future”, the showcase will feature an innovative lifestyle concept, bringing in new elements such as modern padi fields, cargo container smart homes and LED remote maintained street lights, all nicely fitted into the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
I am truly excited to display these innovative SMEs that are gifted with extraordinary abilities.

I personally would regard this year’s showcase as exclusive, since only the “crème de la crème” are invited to participate.

More than 300 exhibitors have been lined up, including international companies from Japan, India, Korea and Iran.

Watch out for our local big corporates, Proton Holdings Bhd, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua), Celcom (M) Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd, RHB Bhd, which will be alongside international big names such as Boeing and British Aerospace Engineering Systems (BAE Systems), just to name a few.

Annually, the pinnacle of the showcase is the one-to-one business matching sessions. SMEs that have participated in these sessions should grab the opportunities to create linkages with large companies such as global hypermarkets and other multinational corporations (MNCs).
As SMEs are a vital part of every MNC’s supply chain, this platform also acts as a “buyer-meet-seller” ground for both parties.

Last year’s business matching session saw a total of 178 sessions materialise with negotiations valued at RM194.7 million. A total of 7,043 visitors were recorded for the three-day showcase.

This year’s suspense of who will walk away with the RM1 million SME Innovation Award 2012 continues... so lock your dates (between June 20 and June 22) to catch the winner who dares to dream the impossible and turn innovation into a futuristic, practical masterpiece.

He was only doing what Eric Hoffer (The Passionate State of Mind: And Other Aphorisms) said, “The only way to predict the
future is to have the power to shape the future” and he did just that!

Datuk Hafsah Hashim is the chief executive officer of Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp Malaysia)

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 11 June 2012

Today's Pick (11/06/12/103/797)

afternoon highlight (08/06/12/101/575) M'sian firms rake in RM16.32m at trade show

M'sian firms rake in RM16.32m at trade show

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies, which participated at the Private Label Manufacturers Association's (PLMA) 2011 World of Private Label trade show in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, recorded sales of RM16.32 million.

Thirteen companies participated in the two-day show organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) beginning May 22.
The event was the best platform for Malaysian companies to showcase their exhibits to high profile international buyers who attended the show.
PLMA's annual World of Private Label show is the world's leading private label event, Matrade said in a statement.
The show is Europe's renowned retail trade fair where buyers and category managers buy private label branded goods for supermarkets and department stores from Europe and other countries, and contract with manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world, both in the food and non-food categories.
PLMA is a good platform to further expand Malaysian products into the European market, the promotion agency said.
Malaysian products showcased during the event included rubber gloves; toiletries; personal care and household care products; plastic packaging and house wares; contraceptives; pharmaceutical products; and adhesive tapes. Food products included nutraceuticals products, natural food supplements, honey, paste and sauces. -- BERNAMA


Source : New Straits Times
Date : 8 June 2012
Afternoon Highlight (08/06/12/101/575)


Read more: M'sian firms rake in RM16.32m at trade show - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/m-sian-firms-rake-in-rm16-32m-at-trade-show-1.92351#ixzz1xBZT95V5

Read more: M'sian firms rake in RM16.32m at trade show - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/m-sian-firms-rake-in-rm16-32m-at-trade-show-1.92351#ixzz1xBZOTmVH

Today's Pick (08/06/12/102/796) Current economy levels will sustain: Zeti

Current economy levels will sustain: Zeti

KUALA LUMPUR: The country's economy will be sustained at the current level going into the second half of this year supported by the robust domestic economy, says Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

She said the business environment in the country was very supportive with improved level of competitiveness, efficiency and continued access to financing as well as an orderly market to raise funds.
"The bank has remained solid and sound with their favourable profitability, so all these are positive for our economy," she told reporters following a presentation of the Labuan Financial Services Authority's annual report here today.
She said despite the economic crisis in Europe, the central bank was maintaining the growth forecast of four to five per cent for Malaysia this year.
Zeti said the central bank had already priced-in the effect of the Euro zone economic crisis into the forecast.
"In fact, it declined only recently and we had expected the moderation to happen earlier."
She said Bank Negara was confident of the projected growth range given the robust domestic demand and private investment activities.
What is also particularly encouraging is the private sector investment, she said, adding that the sector is expected to contribute to the current growth and future growth.
On the overnight policy rate, she said it has been very supportive of the economic growth.
Loan growth has been in the 12 per cent range, indicating that the interest rate level is not an inhibiting factor for the domestic economy's growth, she added.--BERNAMA

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 8 June 2012

Today's Pick (08/06/12/102/796)

afternoon highlight (07/06/12/100/575) Monorail, tram jobs up for grabs

Monorail, tram jobs up for grabs

THE proposed US$400 (RM1.27 billion) monorail and tram projects in Surabaya, Indonesia, are among the opportunities that are up for grabs for Malaysian entrepreneurs, especially Bumiputeras, said West Java Minangkabau Young Merchant president Drs Subarman H. Suhaimi Suan.

He said Malaysia's expertise in the public transportation sector such as monorail could be used to make the two projects successful.

"If there are interested parties from Malaysia who want to be involved in the project, we can take them directly to meet the Surabaya mayor," he said after a briefing on business opportunities in Indonesia at the Malay Businessmen and Industrialist Association of Malaysia's (Perdasama) office, here, yesterday.
Subarman led a delegation of seven young entrepreneurs from West Java here, which also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties.
Elaborating, he said the monorail and tram projects, which is 40.7km for the north-south route and 22.7km for east-west route, were expected to start by the end of next year.

Subarman said the projects, which were at the proposal submission stage, were owned by the Indonesian government.

"We welcome Malay entrepreneurs from Malaysia to get involved in the said projects and indirectly empower the Malay region economy," he said.
Meanwhile, Perdasama president Datuk Moehamad Izat Emir welcomed the business proposals offered by the delegation and was proud that Malaysia was chosen as a business partner.

"This cooperation will strengthen the Malay economy. When this partnership is strong, there are no obstacles to success. I urge the Malay entrepreneurs to take advantage of these opportunities," he said.

Besides the monorail and tram projects in Surabaya, the delegation also gave a briefing on the Bandung Edutainment Square project, as well as the available opportunities in haj dan umrah management. Bernama

 

Source : New Straits Times

Date  : 7 June 2012

afternoon highlight (07/06/12/100/575)

Today's Pick (07/06/12/101/795) Goodyear appoints first woman MD

Goodyear appoints first woman MD

KUALA LUMPUR: Goodyear Malaysia Bhd has appointed Ivy Peng as its new managing director.

Peng, who replaced Ahmad Zakariah, is the company's first woman managing director.

She will oversee Goodyear Malaysia's growth, direction and strategy execution, it said in a statement yesterday.
Peng said Goodyear was one of the very few industries with such a long heritage.

"It is definitely an honour and great opportunity to be leading this company," she said in the statement.

Peng was sales director of Goodyear Malaysia.
Known for her strong people management skills and market driven strategies, she spent two years in Singapore and led the business model transformation in Asean.

She also worked at Kodak Malaysia as general manager and vice-president of ServTouch-Wywy (M) Sdn Bhd.

 

Source : New Straits Times

Date  :7 June 2012

Today's Pick (07/06/12/101/795) 

Afternoon Highlight (06/06/12/099/574) Kontraktor kecil selia projek

Kontraktor kecil selia projek

 

35,000 selenggara jalan Persekutuan
LANGKAWI: Kira-kira 35,000 kontraktor Kelas D, E dan F berpeluang mendapat projek penyelenggaraan berkala jalan Persekutuan bagi memberi peluang kepada mereka mendapat manfaat daripada projek kerajaan.

Sebagai permulaan, kerajaan menjadikan 10 projek jalan baru di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 (RMKe-10) yang sebahagian daripadanya sudah siap sebagai perintis pelaksanaan program berkenaan.

Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor, berkata menerusi projek secara tender itu, kerajaan menyasarkan lebih banyak syarikat kecil terbabit dalam projek penyelenggaraan berkala jalan raya Persekutuan yang sebelum ini diberikan kepada syarikat konsesi.

Beliau berkata, sehingga akhir hujung tahun ini, kementerian memperuntukkan RM170 juta untuk program itu dan meningkat setiap tahun.“Amalan ketika ini menyerahkan kerja penyelenggaraan jalan Persekutuan secara rutin dan berkala kepada syarikat konsesi tidak banyak membantu pengagihan ekonomi kepada kontraktor kecil,” katanya selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat Pegawai Kanan Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) 2012, di sini, semalam.
Beliau berkata, ketika ini kerja penyelenggaraan berkala diberi kepada syarikat konsesi sedangkan mereka sudah diberikan projek penyelenggaraan rutin membabitkan tiga syarikat di Semenanjung dan lima di Sabah dan Sarawak.

“Sebelum ini hanya 30 peratus kontraktor Kelas D, E dan F terbabit dalam kerja penyelenggaraan dan kita menyasarkan untuk meningkatkan bilangan penyertaan kontraktor kecil sekitar 40 peratus tahun ini, tetapi kalau dapat mencapai 50 peratus lebih baik.

“Kerja penyelenggaraan rutin diberikan kepada syarikat konsesi, tetapi penyelenggaraan berkala terpulang kepada Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) untuk menentukan sama ada kepada konsesi atau tender terbuka.
“JKR diminta mengadakan mekanisme bagi mempercepatkan sebut harga proses penyelenggaraan berkala. Peluang diberi kepada kontraktor kecil bukan menidakkan syarikat konsesi, tetapi memberi keseimbangan kepada syarikat kecil menceburi bidang itu,” katanya.

Shaziman berkata, sepanjang tahun lalu, kerajaan memperuntukkan RM268.7 juta bagi penyelenggaraan rutin dan RM246 juta projek penyelenggaraan berkala.

Ditanya mengenai mutu kerja kontraktor kecil, beliau berkata penyertaan syarikat kecil menjadi landasan terbaik untuk meningkatkan mutu kerja.

“Saya yakin syarikat kecil mampu membuat kerja yang dilakukan syarikat konsesi. Ada 60,000 kontraktor berdaftar dengan Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan (CIDB) dan daripada jumlah itu 27,000 adalah kontraktor Kelas F,” katanya.

Source  : Berita Harian

Date : 5 June 2012

Afternoon Highlight (06/06/12/099/574)

Today's Pick (06/06/12/100/794) Pantai Plaza rebranded as Bangsar Trade Centre to house wholesale mall

Pantai Plaza rebranded as Bangsar Trade Centre to house wholesale mall

PLANS to revive the mostly vacant Pantai Plaza are expected to commence in August and to be completed in stages.

Located along the Federal Highway, the plaza, renamed as Bangsar Trade Centre (BTC) will have a wholesale centre for food and beverage and hospitality industry.

Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) signed a RM120mil debt settlement agreement with Twin Pavilion Development Sdn Bhd to revive Pantai Plaza.

The agreement will also settle the debts of the plaza’s previous owner, Atlas Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Twin Pavilion Development chairman Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib said plans for the plaza included a corporate office tower, convention and exhibition centre, strata office suites and a hotel.

“We estimate 10,000 visitors daily with the potential to increase this figure exponentially when the surrounding commercial properties such as KL Eco City come into full occupancy,” he said at the signing ceremony, adding that the project has a gross development value of RM850mil.

Ramli added that each component in BTC will support the wholesale centre where manufacturers, suppliers, knowledge and financial providers are brought together.

Twin Pavilion Development chief executive officer Lee Seng Khoon said they would be refurbishing the plaza as well as some construction work.

“The existing podium with a space of 400,000 sq ft will be refurbished to house the wholesale centre where suppliers will be able to connect with buyers,” he said.

Lee added that they would be constructing towers, providing an additional 1mil sq ft of floor space.

“After the project’s completion, we will still be very much involved in this area as we will be retaining a majority of the mall and office space,” he said.

MBSB chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali who was also present at the event, said the agreement would also see MBSB extending end-financing assistance totalling RM120mil.

“We hope that BTC will become a new landmark that Kuala Lumpur can be proud of,” he added.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin had witnessed the signing and launched the project.

He said the continuous urban renewal of the city was a necessity.

“Renewal can provide a city the opportunity to reclaim quality urban spaces.

“However, it does not mean merely putting cosmetic improvements into ageing buildings but to create sustainable urban development through innovation that adds value to the surrounding community,” he said.

Source : The Star

Date : 5 June 2012

Today's Pick (06/06/12/096/790)

afternoon highlight (05/06/12/098/534) Khazanah plans to sell subsidiary to qualified bumi

Khazanah plans to sell subsidiary to qualified bumi

KUALA LUMPUR: Khazanah Nasional Bhd plans to sell its entire interest in wholly-owned subsidiary STLR Sdn Bhd via an open tender to a qualified bumiputra entrepreneur.

Khazanah said in a statement the proposed divestment of STLR, a property investment holding company, was part of its efforts to assist the Government in encouraging entrepreneurship and growing bumiputra equity.

“It is also in line with Khazanah’s overall divestment strategy of disposing non-core assets in a gradual and orderly manner to fulfil the role of government-linked investment companies and government-linked companies under the New Economic Model.”

In February, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that Khazanah and Permodalan Nasional Bhd would divest 10 non-core assets to bumiputra companies.

STLR is one of five non-core assets identified by Khazanah to be divested under the exercise this year.

The company was chosen as it could offer an opportunity for the acquiring party to tap into the prospects of a mature township in Kuala Lumpur and the exponential growth of a fast-growing township in Medini, Iskandar Malaysia.

STLR owns a prime 2.9-acre residential-zoned land in Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur.

It has also entered into an agreement with Iskandar Investment Bhd to acquire an interest in a strategic 1.3 million sq ft gross floor area of developmental asset suitable for mixed development in Medini, Iskandar Malaysia.

“The divestment will allow STLR to enjoy financial and strategic benefits through the ownership and management of a qualified bumiputra company with expertise in the relevant field,” Khazanah said in the statement.

It added that the divestment would involve a three-stage bidding process – pre-qualification, indicative bid and binding bid.

“The divestment will be conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner and will be presided by an independent evaluation panel.

“It is intended that the potential buyer should fulfil several pre-qualifying criteria, which include being a 51% bumiputra-owned and managed company with a good financial track record and experience in the relevant sector,” it said.

Other criteria considered for the potential buyer include possessing a viable business plan, strong entrepreneurship and business acumen, and offer the best bid for value creation.

Khazanah said the new shareholder of STLR would be selected based on both financial and strategic considerations.

The list of financial and strategic evaluation criteria will be outlined in an invitation to bid in due course.

Interested parties can refer to the notice on the offer for sale by Khazanah that will be advertised in all major newspapers this week.

Source : The Star

Date : 5 June 2012

afternoon highlight (05/06/12/098/534)

Today's Pick (05/06/12/095/789) Projects in Chile open for tender, Chilean Govt announces infrastructure works worth US$14bil

Projects in Chile open for tender, Chilean Govt announces infrastructure works worth US$14bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Projects worth US$14bil in the Chilean infrastructure sector have been put up for tender.

In a statement yesterday, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) said the Chilean Foreign Investment Committee under the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism had announced a slew of substantial foreign investment projects in the infrastructure sector.

These projects include the retender of the AMB International Airport in Santiago on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis.

Matrade said the current 823,000 sq m terminal would have an additional 375,500 sq m of remodelling and terminal expansion with estimated investment at US$500mil and the capacity to handle over 29 million passengers by 2030.

“The El Tepual Airport at Puerto Montt is also up for retender but details are still unconfirmed at present.

“The Chilean Government is also building a new cargo terminal for the port of Puerto Montt for general and bulk cargo ships to ease congestion at the present facilities.

“The call for bids and award for the estimated US$50mil project are expected by the second half of 2012 with operations to start before end-2015. Plans are also under way for the expansion of Terminal 2 Espign, Port of Valparaso. Estimated investment is between US$325mil and US$391mil including equipment,” Matrade said in a statement.

The announcement also included works for five hospitals including the existing Antofagasta Hospital estimated at US$251mil. Four other new hospital buildings, all on BOT basis are also in the works at a total investment of US$1.07bil.

The Transandino Central Railway is also being built to reduce congestion on the present Los Libertadores Pass. Estimated investment is US$3.3bil with anticipated benefits of US$13bil and 80 million tonnes of freight annually.

Santiago's subway will also see two new lines carrying 120 million passengers a year at a cost of US$2.8bil while the state-owned railway Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado is also undertaking infrastructure expansion and upgrading works to the tune of US$260mil.

Meanwhile, various roads and highway concessions are also available including 86km of roads between the Elqui and Limari provinces totalling US$204mil, the 31.3km Loa Roads at US$294mil, the Amrico Vespucio Oriente urban highway with 13km of extensions, the Nahuelbuta Highway expansion of Road 180 valued at US$222mil, the new urban Santiago-Lampa Highway in north-western Santiago at US$78mil, the US$150mil New Industrial Bridge over the River Bo-Bo and the 22km Costanera Central Highway valued at US$1.39bil.

The Foreign Investment Commit-tee is also seeking input into a number of initiatives subject to feasibility studies and these include the US$640mil Santiago-Valparaso Region Railway Connection, the Municipal Civic Centre and underground parking facilities in Calama. Two public buildings in Iquique and Valdivia, the improvement of the Valparaso-Via del Mar Transport System and the Coastal Route is valued at US$384mil. The Bicentennial cable car is at US$32mil.

Matrade advised interested Malaysian companies to contact them for further information as closing dates for bids and contract periods for the various projects differed.

Source : The Star                             Date : 5 June 2012

Today's Pick (05/06/12/095/789)

afternoon highlight (04/06/12/097/533) Breaking barriers, building success

Breaking barriers, building success

 INDIA is as synonymous with Shah Rukh Khan, or is it Shah Rukh Khan that is synonymous with India? As an avid Bollywood fan myself, I have not only enjoyed his films but tears have also rolled down my cheeks whenever he takes on centre stage!

India has definitely taken its film industry to a new epitome of success and given Bollywood a new flavour.

Today, Bollywood has not only evolved but has also bravely gone beyond its shores and endorsed London as its new hub since 2007.

Looking at this new era and encouraging perspective, it is undeniable that India has come a long way since their chaotic Cold War period.

Over the years, two important regions of the world, India and the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asea) have started to develop a relationship, the speed of which has taken a faster pace more than a decade ago.

Mutual interest has given the advantage to India in becoming Asean's full dialogue partner during the fifth Asean Summit in Bangkok in 1995.

As far as l can recall, since 2002, India and Asean have been organising summit-level meetings on an annual basis.

The continued buoyancy in trade figures further deepened ties between India and Asean. According to India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 2009-2010 trade between India and Asean was worth US$20.19 billion (RM64 billion).

I have always believed that Asean foresees India as an emerging power in Asia and that there is a lot that the grouping can gain from India's rapid development, especially in the services sector.

Taking a step back and looking at Malaysia's own experience, bilateral economic relationship with India has been moving in a steady cadence.

Malaysia has been a huge source of foreign direct investments (FDI) for India. In fact, Malaysia, as a single country, is the 25th largest overall foreign investor in India, while it is the third largest investor among Asean member countries in India, with a total trade inflow of US$252.97 million (RM804 million) between April 2000 and March 2010.

In our effort to explore the bountiful trade opportunities between Asean and India, SME Corp Malaysia will be organising the Asean-India SME Conference that will provide a whole spectrum of updates, information and approaches on business, trade and investment potential between Asean and India.

In line with this year's theme, "Breaking Barriers, Building Success", this event will serve as an avenue and platform for successful business networking, reinforcing collaboration among Asean SMEs as well as creating awareness and enhancing the understanding on rules and regulations of doing business in India as well as Asean member countries.

This not-to-be-missed conference is being planned with the intention to inspire, create and leverage on opportunities that are abound in the two regions for top global businesses.

With a fast pace growing economies, together with exciting, boundless prospects, Asean and India are on the path to accelerate their developments and do much more to strengthen partnerships and collaboration in future years.

In this regard, l strongly believe that the Asean-India SME Conference 2012 will be focusing on this exclusive relationship, to reduce or eliminate any barriers and to collectively formulate strategies on how entrepreneurs can better promote Asean-India economic ties.

Having said that, all entrepreneurs out there, don't forget to mark your dates on June 21 and 22. Yes, the conference is held back-to-back with SME Corp's annual showcase - "Smidex 2012" at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

This time round, the SME Annual Showcase will feature an innovative lifestyle concept, bringing in new elements of an exhibition, served with a whole new breath.

The conference, which is the highlight of Smidex, will also be officiated by our Numero Uno Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

There will be five sessions in total, covering various aspects, from business relationship to creative industry. Many speakers from highly- achieved backgrounds namely Mr Shri R.K Mathur, Secretary Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise, India, will be sharing his thoughts with us.

And, watch out for Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan, always known for being the man behind the screens (no pun intended) as well as in the entertainment industry as a whole. We decided to feature him as one of the stars to share his wealth of experience in that area.

I am certainly thrilled and look forward to welcoming you in person to the Asean-India SME Conference!

Datuk Hafsah Hashim is the chief executive officer of Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp Malaysia)

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 4 June 2012

afternoon highlight (04/06/12/097/533)

Today's Pick (04/06/12/094/788) Salaries in ICT industry expected to go up by 9%

The Malaysian Reserve
25 May 2012

afternoon highlight (01/06/12/096/532) PNB to sell FEC Cables

PNB to sell FEC Cables

PERMODALAN Nasional Bhd (PNB) has announced plans to divest its first non-core business company, FEC Cables (M) Sdn Bhd (FEC), to qualified Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

On Februari 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, at the Bumiputera Agenda Action Council, announced that PNB would divest a total of five assets to qualified Bumiputera companies.

This divestment programme is part of the plan by the Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera, a unit under the Prime Minister's Department, to spearhead the economic transformation of Bumiputeras in the country by growing and enhancing Bumiputera entrepreneurship.

"The proposed divestment of FEC, via open tender, is the first in a series of divestments under the above programme," it said in a statement yesterday.

PNB is expected to make subsequent announcements on the rest of the companies and businesses in due course.

FEC, in which PNB owns a 71.14 per cent stake, was incorporated in 1967, and its principal activities are manufacturing of electrical and telecommunication cables.

PNB's wholly-owned subsidiary, PNB Capital Holdings Sdn Bhd, also owns 20 million redeemable cumulative preference shares in FEC.

FEC currently has two manufacturing facilities in Klang and Shah Alam. Its major customers include local power and telecommunication players and it supplies its products to both local and export markets.

"We have invited interested parties via a tender advertisement in selected newspapers yesterday to submit a bid for FEC," PNB said.

Potential buyersmust fulfil several pre-qualifying criteria, which include being either Bumiputera individuals and companies, with a good track record and solid financial standing, PNB said.

Other selection criteria that will be considered in evaluating potential bidders include strong entrepreneurship and business acumen, viable business plan, and the best bid for value creation.

In addition, PNB said, bidders will be requested to provide assurances that they will develop the respective companies while maintaining their equity stake and commitment to retain employees over a pre-determined period of time. Bernama

 Source : New Straits Times

Date : 1 June 2012

afternoon highlight (01/06/12/096/533)

Today's Pick (01/06/12/093/787)Minister encourages Bumi grads to take up accounting

Minister encourages Bumi grads to take up accounting

KUALA LUMPUR: Bumiputera graduates are encourage to take up professional accountant programme under Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera (YPPB), says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

"There are many Bumiputera graduates who have degrees in accounting but do not have recognition as a qualified professional accountants" he said in his address at the launch of "Peneraju Profesional Akauntan" programme here late last night.

Nor Mohamed said the programme aims to raise the number of certified Bumiputera accountants.

He said, so far the programme has received 8,000 applications from SPM and STPM holders.

Up to 225 students have been offered scholarships to further their studies at the undergraduate level this year.

The programme is a collaboration between YPPB and Mara, which will also involve other major accounting firms in the country such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and KPMG.

Nor Mohamed believes the programme would be able to boost competitiveness as well as nurture the required skills towards being recognised as a professional accountant.

Moving on, Nor Mohamed said YPPB will focus on efforts to increase the number of Bumiputera chartered accountants to ensure that Malaysia can produce more professional in the future, in line with the goal of making Malaysia a high income country.

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 1 June 2012

Today's Pick (01/06/12/093/787)