Wednesday, February 29, 2012

afternoon highlight (29/02/12/037/512) AIM rancang wujud koperasi di setiap cawangan

AIM rancang wujud koperasi di setiap cawangan

KUALA LUMPUR 28 Feb. - Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) akan mewujudkan koperasi di setiap 113 cawangannya di seluruh negara mulai tahun ini.

Pengerusinya, Datuk Amihamzah Ahmad berkata, sebagai permulaan, sebanyak 70 cawangan, termasuk di Sabah dan Sarawak, telah dipilih di mana AIM memperuntukkan sebanyak RM4 juta bagi tujuan itu.

''Setiap penubuhan koperasi itu, kita akan memberi geran percuma sebanyak RM50,000 dan akan ditambah RM10,000 lagi oleh Jabatan Koperasi.

''Kita jangkakan, koperasi itu akan dilaksanakan dalam tempoh dua bulan lagi dan ia akan diteruskan sehingga setiap cawangan akan memiliki sebuah koperasi," katanya di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas menghadiri majlis ramah mesra AIM bersama media di Menara Amanah Ikhtiar, Bandar Sri Damansara, dekat sini hari ini.

Amihamzah menjelaskan, rancangan penubuhan koperasi itu telah dirujuk kepada Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia (SKM), termasuk Jabatan Perdana Menteri.

Katanya, dengan pelaksanaan koperasi itu, setiap ahli koperasi mampu menjana pendapatan selain memperoleh hasil dari perniagaan kira-kira 300,000 keluarga atau Sahabat AIM yang menyertainya.

''Saya yakin 70 koperasi yang akan diwujudkan itu akan berjaya berdasarkan kemampuan sahabat dan kakitangan AIM beroperasi untuk tempoh 15 tahun.

''Malah kita sedia untuk menambah peruntukan supaya setiap cawangan AIM akan mempunyai koperasi," katanya.

Sementara itu, Amihamzah ketika ditanya mengenai rancangan agensi itu tahun ini berkata, AIM menyediakan bajet sebanyak RM2.1 bilion untuk disalurkan kepada peminjam agensi berkenaan, peningkatan sebanyak 30 peratus daripada yang dikeluarkan pada tahun lalu.

Tambah beliau, AIM juga akan berjaya memenuhi permintaan kerajaan untuk melahirkan 4,000 usahawan wanita yang berpendapatan sebanyak RM3,500 menerusi Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara (NKRA) menjelang hujung tahun ini.

Source : Utusan Malaysia
Date : 29 February 2012

Today's Pick (29/02/12/034/728) Miliki kereta secara pajakan

Miliki kereta secara pajakan

KUALA LUMPUR 27 Feb. – Kenapa perlunya memiliki kenderaan secara sewa beli jika anda boleh memajak pada kadar lebih menarik dan tidak perlu memikirkan soal penyelenggaraan.

Hari ini, DRB-HICOM Bhd. memperkenalkan konsep pemajakan kenderaan yang pertama seumpamanya di Malaysia, sekali gus mampu menyelesaikan masalah untuk mendapatkan pembiayaannya.

Konsep pajakan yang diperkenalkan oleh anak syarikat DRB-HICOM, DRB-HICOM Leasing Sdn. Bhd. (DLSB), membolehkan kenderaan persendirian dan komersial lebih mudah dimiliki orang ramai.

‘‘DRB-HICOM Leasing menyasarkan 5,000 hingga 10,000 pelanggan individu dalam tempoh tiga tahun akan datang jika ia menerima sambutan kelak,’’ kata Ketua Pegawai Operasi EON Bhd., Azman Idris.

Beliau berkata, konsep pajakan itu amat sesuai untuk digunapakai ketika pihak bank sedang hebat memperketatkan syarat-syarat kelulusan pinjaman kenderaan.

Konsep pemajakan kenderaan telah lama menerima sambutan di Eropah dan negara-negara barat dan sudah pasti dapat meringankan beban kewangan orang ramai,” katanya sambil menambah pihak syarikat sebelum ini telah menjalankan pajakan kenderaan kepada kerajaan menerusi syarikat Spanco.

Beliau berkata demikian selepas majlis pelancaran MyLease dan perasmian Konsep 4S EON yang dilakukan oleh Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, di sini hari ini.

Turut hadir ialah Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan DRB-HICOM, Datuk Seri Mohd. Khamil Jamil, Pengerusi EON Bhd., Tan Sri Marzuki Mohd. Noor dan Ketua Pegawai Operasi Kumpulan DRB-HICOM, Datuk Lukman Ibrahim.

Konsep terbaharu ini membolehkan penyewa memiliki sebuah kereta baharu setiap beberapa tahun tanpa perlu memikirkan kos penyelenggaraan dan insurans atau pembaharuan cukai jalan kerana ia ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh oleh pemilik aset.

Konsep ini adalah pilihan terbaik ketika bank sedang mengetatkan syarat-syarat kelulusan pinjaman kenderaan kerana bayaran bulanan adalah jauh lebih rendah berbanding sewa beli.

Antara pakej-pakej penyewaan yang ditawarkan oleh DLSB ialah program penggantian kereta selepas tamat tempoh pajakan, penyelenggaraan berjadual dan tidak berjadual, pusat panggilan 24 jam, bantuan kerosakan dan lain-lain.

Menurut Azman, kadar sewa pajakan akan ditambah dengan kos penyelenggaraan berjadual atau tidak berjadual bersama servis-servis lain bagi mendapatkan jumlah keseluruhan kadar sewa pajakan.

Jumlah keseluruhan sewa pajakan itu akan dibahagikan mengikut jumlah keseluruhan tempoh pajakan bagi mendapatkan kadar sewa pajakan yang tetap setiap bulan.

Katanya, sebagai permulaan pihaknya akan menawarkan kemudahan itu kepada syarikat sebelum orang ramai pada hujung tahun ini.

Hasil kajian menunjukkan, jika penyewa itu adalah individu, ia mampu memberi penjimatan antara 15 hingga 25 peratus dari pinjaman jual beli ketika ini.

“Apa yang menarik, model-model kereta yang ditawarkan tidak tertakluk kepada Proton sahaja kerana bergantung kepada permintaan pelanggan,” kata Azman.

Source : Utusan Malaysia
Date : 27 February 2012
Today's Pick (29/02/12/034/728)

afternoon highlight (28/02/12/036/511) January passenger traffic up 11%



Today's Pick (28/02/12/033/727) Business licensing cost in Malaysia to be slashed soon

Business licensing cost in Malaysia to be slashed soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Business licence compliance costs in Malaysia will be reduced by more than half by June following a joint review by the government and private sector.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, who is co-chairman of the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business or Pemudah, said 395 of 761 business licences will be eliminated or simplified.

This follows Pemudah’s work with 23 ministries and federal agencies to reduce and eliminate licences, shorten the time for issuing and expand the validity period of the licences.

“This whole initiative will result in an estimated reduction of RM729 million in business licence compliance cost when this exercise is completed in June 2012,” he said in the Pemudah annual report released yesterday.

He said the proposed liberalisation of 17 sub-sectors under the services sector would be undertaken in stages in 2012.

A priority list of these sectors for equity liberalisation has been drawn up.

This will improve the investment climate and contribute significantly to the goals of the New Economic Model, he said.

The public-private collaboration addresses concerns about public service delivery.

Pemudah is now a team made up of 25 highly respected individuals of which 14 are heads of selected government ministries and departments, 10 leaders of Malaysian businesses and the president
of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress.

Taking on a “I must do something” formula solves more problems, remarked Sidek, enabling Malaysia to move to the 18th position from 23rd position in the World Bank Doing Business 2012 Report.

Pemudah has also collaborated with TalentCorp and the Ministry of Home Affairs to introduce the I-pass for expatriates and the
Ministry of Education on policies and programmes.

On private sector delivery system, Pemudah has set up a Focus Group to address concerns related to key areas that impact not only the cost of doing business but also the lives of the manon-the-street. These include banking, legal matters, and utilities.

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon said a number of other significant issues mooted by the private sector have received the support of the public sector.

These included compensation for late refunds of income tax, reduction in time bar for tax audits and the review of logistics costs.

"We made progress on the simplification of loan disbursement procedures to SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and are currently working on reducing delays in loan disbursements," he said.

The task force also assisted in supporting talks on bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements.

"This includes the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement and Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement through its inputs on procurement and other policies that required the concurrence of policy makers across ministries before negotiations could be convened."

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 28 February 2012
Today's Pick (28/02/12/033/727)

afternoon highlight (27/02/12/035/510) Matrade to focus on ‘iconic’ events

Matrade to focus on ‘iconic’ events

KUALA LUMPUR: Exporters are going to find it challenging given the expected slowdown in global trade volume in 2012, but the trade promotion agency will focus on iconic events which will have a “lasting” impact on Malaysian brands.

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) plans to undertake more than 120 export promotion activities this year.

They include participation in international trade fairs, specialised marketing missions, promotion booths, In-Coming Buying Missions and joint promotion activities.

There will also be three “big” exhibitions — Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE) and International Trade Malaysia (Intrade).

Matrade will also promote high-value products and services for industries, which are also given priorities under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and the National Key Economic Areas .

These industries include healthcare and environmental products and services, oil and gas, biotech and halal and machinery, transportation and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).

Apart from its efforts to internationalise Malaysian companies through various programmes, Matrade also organises and manage participation for Malaysian exporters in international trade exhibitions overseas, which serve as a good starting point.

Unlike the past, Matrade focuses on iconic international trade events overseas to create greater long-term impact for branding of Malaysia’s products and services.

These include Arab Health in the UAE and 17th Gulf Food held in January, CeBIT in Germany (in March), Hannover Fair (in May), Showcase Malaysia India (in October) and the China Asean Expo (in October).

In the case of the China Asean Expo, Matrade chief executive officer Dr Wong Sai Lum said Malaysia as the Country of Honour last year brought the largest delegation and promoted its capabilities and expertise in the services sector such as environmental services, healthcare, education and professional services.

In terms of sales, Malaysian exporters recorded encouraging growth in immediate sales compared to Caexpo 2010, securing actual sales of RM86.53 million during the course of the five-day exhibition and RM115.36 in potential sales.

Total sales recorded at the end of the five-day event was RM202 million. For the services sector, the outcomes were very encouraging.

A Malaysian legal firm, CW Loh, signed a memorandum of understanding with the largest legal firm in Guangxi Province, Guangxi Tongwang another MOU was signed between INTI University and Guangxi College involving a “3+1+1” programme.

"Malaysian franchise Nelson’s secured 10 new franchisees at last year’s event. Mihas is also successful and one of the key reasons is the number of pre-selected foreign buyers, numbering over 500 on average every year.

Sales at Incoming Buying Mission during Mihas generated some RM7 billion since 2005 until 2011.

Its efforts to expand market share in fast growing and emerging markets will continue although the eurozone sovereign debt crisis still hovers.

The growing affluence of neighbouring Indonesia has led to increased demand for machinery to support its rapid growth of investments.

Likewise, Bangladesh has become more demand driven as the economy benefits from the high remittances.

Nigeria has also been identified as an important market and the agency plans to start an office in Lagos soon. It has also targeted Turkey, which is recognised as an important gateway to eastern Europe and African markets.

“We have developed a strategy and looked across the world and where our strengths are and action plans which open doors which can sustain our presence.

“In some instances we look for niche demand,” Wong said. Matrade is selective with the activities and limits large delegations to select events so that Malaysians can look to value creation in products instead of herd instinct.

It prefers to use its overseas network to enable potential business partners to interface via videoconferencing.

To add to the current portfolio of products, Malaysia now also has new products like medical devices.

Through the EPPs, Matrade is also helping to find markets for those in niche products such as electro diagnostic equipment, surgical theatre lights, spectrometer, oscilloscope — scientific research in labs.

These efforts are already beginning to pay off and has raised the confidence level for the bold few who continue to be aggressive despite the headwinds."

Source : Business Times
Date : 27 February 2012
afternoon highlight (27/02/12/035/510)

Today's Pick (27/02/12/032/726) PEDA bincang kaedah penjualan kereta lebih murah

PEDA bincang kaedah penjualan kereta lebih murah

PERSATUAN Pengedar-Pengedar Proton Edar Malaysia (PEDA) merancang untuk mengusahakan semakan eksais dan cukai atau membincangkan kaedah lain bagi penjualan kereta yang lebih murah supaya lebih ramai mampu memiliki kereta, manakala mereka yang mampu pula tidak dibebankan dengan pinjaman yang tinggi.

Persatuan itu merancang menemui pihak dari Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI) dan Kementerian Kewangan sebagai sebahagian daripada usahanya untuk menangani penyusutan kelulusan pinjaman dan jualan kereta yang, katanya, berlaku ekoran pelaksanaan garis panduan amalan pembiayaan yang bertanggungjawab oleh Bank Negara Malaysia yang berkuat kuasa pada 1 Januari.


Satu sesi dialog diadakan Jumaat lalu antara Bank Negara Malaysia dan pegawai kanan Proton, Perodua, Persatuan Automotif Malaysia, PEDA, DRB-HICOM dan Persatuan Penjual Kereta Perodua untuk menangani masalah kelembapan jualan sektor automotif.

PEDA dalam satu kenyataannya berkata, Bank Negara percaya isu itu timbul disebabkan pelaksanaan garis panduan itu oleh bank.

Ia juga menegaskan beberapa isu dan resolusi yang dikemukakan pada dialog itu.

Satu resolusi meminta bank mengeluarkan satu garis panduan seragam untuk mendidik orang ramai tentang kriteria kelulusan seragam dan syarat dokumentasi seragam bagi pemprosesan pinjaman kenderaan.

PEDA juga berkata, meskipun ia bersetuju dengan objektif dan hasrat Garis Panduan itu yang menggalakkan pemberian pinjaman berdasarkan kemampuan, namun, katanya kriteria kemampuan diberikan tafsiran yang keterlaluan oleh bank.

Katanya, dengan kereta yang lebih murah melalui eksais dan cukai yang lebih rendah atau cara lain, lebih ramai rakyat Malaysia mampu membeli kereta tanpa menjejaskan ekosistem automotif, sekali gus mengekalkan pertumbuhan industri di samping mengurangkan hutang isi rumah.

Persatuan itu berkata, industri automotif menyumbang dengan banyaknya kepada pendapatan negara melalui duti eksais dan cukai, kerana hampir 90 peratus daripada keseluruhan pengeluaran industri negara adalah bagi pasaran domestik.

“Penyusutan besar jualan kereta kami akan juga menjejaskan peluang pekerjaan secara keseluruhan,” katanya.

Meskipun kadar kelulusan kekal stabil pada 54 peratus bagi pembiayaan kenderaan pada Januari, persatuan itu berkata sebilangan besar permohonan pinjaman langsung tidak diterima untuk diproses yang menyebabkan kelulusan susut kepada kadar yang mencemaskan sebanyak hanya 30 peratus.

Source : Berita Harian
Date : 27 February 2012
Today's Pick (27/02/12/032/726)

Friday, February 24, 2012

afternoon highlight (24/02/12/034/509) Malaysian healthcare equipment sector set to boom

Malaysian healthcare equipment sector set to boom

KUALA LUMPUR: If you are in the healthcare business and wondering what is the next best thing to put your money in, the answer is to invest in medical equipment.

The segment is about to boom within the next three years in Malaysia, Frost and Sullivan vice-president of healthcare in Asia Pacific Rhenu Buller said.

"We estimate this segment to grow about 12.5 per cent in the next three years as hospitals improve their equipment in order to entice more patients to their facility.

"It is very important to have the latest products or equipment because medical tourism is becoming a major economic factor, not just in Malaysia but in other Asian Pacific countries as well.

"This year alone, the healthcare market is expected to reach RM13.2 billion," Bhuller said at a talk on "Rising Middle Income, Medical Tourism Create Impact for APAC Healthcare Market" in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

She said Indonesian patients represented the biggest bulk of healthcare travellers in Malaysia, constituting nearly 70 per cent of the total arrivals for medical tourism here.

"The latest agreement between Singapore and Malaysia on cross border medical reimbursement has resulted in steady inflow of Singaporean medical tourists to Malaysia, which is becoming the second largest nationality seeking medical treatment here," she said.

She added that Malaysia alone had seen an increase in medical tourists by 15 per cent to 20 per cent annually since 2005.

Besides medical tourism, Bhuller added that the positive outlook on the nation's healthcare was also because of the rising middle class and aging populace that changes healthcare services configuration and market strategies.

"Asia's population is expected to grow to 4.5 billion by 2050, which accounts for 60 per cent of the world's population.

"Currently there are about 4.8 million Asian households with income above RM150,000 per annum and this is expected to grow by another three per cent to five per cent in Southeast
Asia," Buller added.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 24 February 2012
afternoon highlight (24/02/12/034/509)

Today's Pick (24/02/12/031/725) Insentif, faedah baharu - MITI

Insentif, faedah baharu - MITI

KUALA LUMPUR 23 Feb. - Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri (MITI) bercadang menilai semula Akta Promosi Pelaburan 1986 bagi membolehkan syarikat-syarikat tempatan yang sudah beroperasi di negara ini menikmati lebih banyak insentif dan faedah.

Kementerian juga bercadang memperluaskan Elaun Pelaburan Semula (RA) kepada sektor-sektor perkhidmatan terpilih selain meningkatkan kriteria Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS), kata Ketua Setiausaha kementeriannya, Datuk Dr. Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria.

Rebecca dalam taklimat media khas berkata, cadangan merupakan sebahagian daripada usaha yang dijalankan MITI bagi terus membantu pelabur tempatan tumbuh dan berkembang.

Jelasnya, kerajaan menerusi pelbagai kementerian termasuk MITI sentiasa memberi sokongan penuh kepada pertumbuhan pelaburan langsung domestik (DDI) malahan di bawah Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP), disasarkan sejumlah 73 peratus pelaburan datang daripada pelaburan swasta domestik.

"Tidak pernah berlaku diskriminasi di antara DDI dan pelaburan langsung asing (FDI) kerana setiap pelabur adalah penting kepada negara.

''Apa yang berlaku ramai pelabur domestik yang layak tidak mengetahui bahawa mereka berhak menerima insentif ataupun bantuan tertentu, " kata beliau.

Mengulas lanjut Rebecca berkata, kriteria PKS akan ditingkatkan daripada RM500,000 kepada RM2.5 juta bagi membolehkan lebih banyak syarikat menikmati faedah daripada insentif berskala kecil.

" Kami sedang giat berusaha ke arah mempertingkatkan lagi bantuan dari segi insentif, akses pinjaman serta panduan kepada syarikat-syarikat tempatan terutamanya industri kecil dan sederhana (IKS) dan PKS, " katanya.

Katanya, MITI juga merancang untuk meningkatkan program turun padang bagi memberi lebih banyak maklumat mengenai insentif-insentif dan bantuan yang boleh diberikan kepada pelabur tempatan terutamanya di dalam sektor PKS.

Menyangkal dakwaan sesetengah pihak yang mengatakan kerajaan memberi lebih banyak insentif kepada FDI, Rebecca berkata, layanan yang diberikan adalah sama rata namun ia sering disalah tafsir.

Jelasnya, sumbangan DDI terutama sekali di dalam sektor perkhidmatan menunjukkan 74.8 peratus pelaburan diluluskan adalah datang daripada pelaburan domestik.

" Bagi pelaburan diluluskan di sektor pengilangan, DDI mencatat peratusan yang sedikit rendah berbanding pelaburan asing namun jika ia boleh mengekalkan pertumbuhan 21 peratus seperti mana yang direkodkan tahun lalu, ia mampu memintas FDI tidak lama lagi, " ujar beliau lagi.

Source : Utusan Malaysia
Date : 24 February 2012
Today's Pick (24/02/12/031/725)

afternoon highlight (23/02/12/033/508) RM1.6b annual sales for KLIA2 retailers seen & MAHB to call for second KLIA2 retail outlet tender

RM1.6b annual sales for KLIA2 retailers seen

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), which will start awarding concessions to retailers for KLIA2 in April, expects the concessionaires to help it achieve annual sales of RM1.6bil once the new low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) runs at full capacity.

MAHB is currently registering annual sales of RM1.3bil from all 39 airports it operates. Of this, RM900mil is derived from sales at the KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.

“We are currently evaluating tender bids for the first phase of retail concessionaires at KLIA2. We will start awarding in April.

“Everything has to be ready for operations by April 2013,” senior general manager, commercial services, Faizah Khairuddin said at a briefing on KLIA2 yesterday.

She explained that MAHB had called for tender in January for the first of three phases, comprising 27 units, and conducted a briefing last December.

She added that MAHB was awarding the concessions on a zone-by-zone basis so that interested parties would be able to see the development of surrounding areas.

KLIA2 will have 225 outlets, comprising 118 lots for retail, 81 for food and beverage, and 26 for services. KLIA2 has a total retail space of 35,200 sq m.

Faizah said the concessions would be awarded in three phases. Briefings for the second phase, which involves 39 units at KLIA2, will be on Feb 29 and March 6.

She added that MAHB projected annual sales of RM1.6bil in five years when KLIA2 was expected to be running at full capacity of 30 million passengers a year.

The airport operator is also targeting passenger spending of RM40 per pax compared with the current RM22 at the existing LCCT.

In its first year of operation, KLIA2 is expected to generate revenue of RM180mil, including from advertising space.

Source : New Straits Times Date : 23 February 2012

MAHB to call for second KLIA2 retail outlet tender

MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) will call for a second tender for the operations of retail, food and beverage (F&B) and services outlets at its new low-cost carrier terminal, KLIA2, from next week.

The phase involves 39 lots of key airside retail, F&B and services concessions, MAHB said.

The F&B tender will specifically be called on February 29, while the services concessions, which include bureau de change and banking, will be called on March 8.

In the departure building, the retail concessions on offer include fragrances and cosmetics, beauty and well-being, confectionery, fashion, sun-glasses, travel and luggage, home decor, watches, Asian souveniers, children's goods, music, books and personal care stores.

The stores range from 44 square metres (sq m) to 154 sq m.MAHB senior general manager for commercial services, Faizah Khairuddin, said interest in the outlets among international and local concessionaires is "high".

Everything has to be ready for operations by April 2013," Faizah said at a press conference to update on the tender process here yesterday.

KLIA2 is the new permanent low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang.KLIA2 offers 35,200 sq m of commercial space.

The concessionaires for all 225 lots at the terminal will be announced by July this year.MAHB has projected RM1.6 billion in retail sales from the new LCCT once it starts operating at its full capacity or handling an estimated 30 million passengers in five years.

Yesterday, Faizah also gave away RM5,000 worth of shopping vouchers to 10 winners who had participated in the "KLIA Indulge Till You Fly" online contest.

The contest was held between December 2011 and January 2012, attracting nearly 800 participants.

afternoon highlight (23/02/12/033/508)

Today's Pick (23/02/12/030/724) NZ seeks tie-ups in advanced food ventures

NZ seeks tie-ups in advanced food ventures


MALAYSIAN companies are invited to form partnership with their counterparts from New Zealand to develop advanced food products and tap the potential billion-dollar business.

Developing advanced food products for the 21st century and foods with proven health claims for various conditions is the new frontier for the country's food and beverage companies, said New Zealand's Trade Commissioner to Malaysia, Fiona Acheson, in an interview last week.

New Zealand, which has high rates of diabetes, is increasing its effort to develop advanced food and nutraceutical products that will optimise the first 1,000 days of a newborn's life.

"While there are examples of New Zealand food and beverage products that are nutritional and tasty as well as safe to eat for those with diabetes, there is room to develop more," said Acheson.

"One area that needs more research and development (R&D) is products that cater to Malaysian and Asian tastes, and Malaysian and New Zealand companies are well placed to do this together," she added.

In a more developed countries, supermarkets have a dedicated section for diabetes-friendly and advanced food products, an area that could be looked into by Malaysian supermarkets.

Advanced food is a value-added food product with nutritional benefits that could halter the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

This is vital to address the staggering rise in chronic diseases, especially since research has shown that the nine months that a baby spends in its mother's womb is important to its well-being in later life.

It is projected that by 2020, some 300 million people in Asia would suffer from diabetes. Research has also shown that more than 25 per cent of pregnant women developed diabetes.

"There is a compelling evidence that chronic diseases such as diabetes are linked to the mother's health while being pregnant. What she eats, whether she develops gestational diabetes as well as what the baby is given to eat in his/her first few years of life all contribute to the risk of developing a chronic disease later in life," said chief science adviser to New Zealand Prime Minister, Sir Peter Gluckman.

The Massey University in New Zealand is undertaking the research to create and develop a functional food with specific health- enhancing effects for menopausal women.

Another project, to be led by Plant and Food Research (a New Zealand Crown Research Unit), is using mass spectrometry to develop a "metabolic atlas" of the chemical composition of allium vegetables, such as onions and garlic, which the horticultural industry could use to develop new food products with health benefits.

Gluckman encourages Malaysian companies to form a commercial tie-up with New Zealand partners to leverage on its raw material, R&D and innovation to develop this high-in-demand nutritional products and functional food.

The Malaysia-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA), which was finalised in August 2010, is another advantage for both countries to strengthen their partnership.

The FTA eliminates tariffs on 100 per cent of tariff lines by 2016 for Malaysian companies exporting to New Zealand and 99.5 per cent for New Zealand companies exporting to Malaysia.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 23 February 2012
Today's Pick (23/02/12/030/724)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

afternoon highlight (22/02/12/033/507) Carmakers driven into a corner

Carmakers driven into a corner

AUTOMOTIVE sales may decline this year due to higher rejection rate of car loans as a result of new lending guidelines from Bank Negara Malaysia.

Car sales in January dropped by 25 per cent to 40,948 units from the 54,781 units recorded in the same period last year. The decline is above most analysts' expectations.

"It is too early to say whether the lower car sales is a one-off slump or the start of a prolonged decline. But we are not discounting the possibility of a lower total industry volume this year," said an analyst from a foreign brokerage.

The guidelines, aimed at improving consumer protection and making them more prudent as borrowers, required banks to look at their customers' net income instead of gross income when considering loan applications.

The guidelines were implemented early this year.

The country's two largest carmakers, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd and Proton Holdings Bhd, are expected to be the biggest casualties of the new guidelines.

"It generally hurts the lower income segment the most," the analyst said.

According to sources, loan approval rate has declined substantially at Perodua.

Its popular Myvi, which registered an approval rate of 75 per cent in December 2011, posted an approval rate of 68 per cent last month.

Worst hit was its Viva models, with its approval rate declining to about 55 per cent in January, down from 70 per cent in December 2011.

"January was still survivable for me as my branch performed rather well. But we are feeling the impact this month.

I have submitted 20 applications for approval and after one week, only three were approved," said a Perodua branch manager who declined to be named.

According to the branch manager, the guidelines were also slowing down the car purchasing process.

"Last time, if a customer with good record comes to purchase a vehicle, we could submit the application in the morning and get the loan approved on the same day.

"But now, we need up to two days and this is slowing us down," said the branch manager.

Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia, in a statement yesterday, said the guidelines had "severely damaged" members' sales, with only 30 per cent of applicants securing car loans in the first two months of the year.

"If this measure is not reviewed, the automotive industry, which supports the country's economic growth, will collapse," said its president Armin Baniaz Pahamin.

Meanwhile, analysts are mixed on the possibility of Bank Negara tweaking part of the guidelines to help the industry.

"There is always the possibility.

The main reason for the guidelines is to reduce or put household debts in control.

"Since the main culprits for household debts are credit cards and personal loans, we don't see why a minor relaxation can't be applied on hire purchase loans," said an analyst from a local research house.

However, another analyst believes it is unlikely the central bank would make a "U-turn".

"It is not Bank Negara's style to do that.

Nevertheless, I believe this is not the end for the automotive industry.

I believe the industry, which includes the carmakers, banks and car buyers, will eventually adjust to the new rule.

"We expect a soft first half for the auto sales, before improving in the second half," said the analyst from a foreign brokerage.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 22 February 2012
afternoon highlight (22/02/12/033/507)

Today's Pick (22/02/12/029/723) Malaysia di landasan capai sasaran ETP

Malaysia di landasan capai sasaran ETP

Pelaburan langsung asing cecah RM32.9 bilion

MALAYSIA menarik pelaburan langsung asing (FDI) berjumlah RM32.9 bilion sepanjang tahun lalu, iaitu yang tertinggi pernah dicatatkan setakat ini.
Ia adalah peningkatan sebanyak 12.3 peratus berbanding RM29.3 bilion yang diterima pada 2010.

Perkilangan muncul sebagai sektor sasaran utama FDI itu, merangkumi 50.1 peratus daripada jumlah yang diterima, diikuti perkhidmatan (27.3 peratus), perlombongan dan kuari (22.2 peratus) serta pertanian, perhutanan dan perikanan (0.4 peratus).

Prestasi itu adalah sejajar dengan hasil kaji selidik Persidangan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu Mengenai Perdagangan dan Pembangunan (UNCTAD), Malaysia yang meletakkan Malaysia sebagai antara negara penerima FDI tertinggi bagi tempoh 2011 hingga 2013.

Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, berkata jumlah pelaburan keseluruhan yang diluluskan dalam sektor perkilangan, perkhidmatan dan sektor utama sepanjang tahun lalu turut menyaksikan peningkatan kukuh, iaitu 40.7 peratus kepada RM148.6 bilion membabitkan 4,964 projek, dengan jangkaan menyediakan peluang pekerjaan baru sebanyak 149,496.

“Ini adalah bukti keyakinan pelabur terhadap persekitaran perniagaan di Malaysia. Pencapaian ketara itu juga menunjukkan Malaysia berada pada landasan untuk mencapai sasaran pelaburan di bawah Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP),” katanya pada sidang media mengumumkan Prestasi Pelaburan Malaysia 2011 di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
Hadir sama, Timbalannya, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir dan Pengerusi Lembaga Pembangunan Pelaburan Malaysia (MIDA), Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob.

Mustapa berkata, sejajar dengan strategi kerajaan, pelaburan domestik terus mengatasi FDI dengan menguasai 55.4 peratus atau RM82.3 bilion daripada jumlah pelaburan diluluskan, manakala pelaburan asing sebanyak 44.6 peratus atau RM66.3 bilion.

Bagi sektor perkilangan katanya, ia terus menunjukkan aliran pemulihan dengan menyaksikan 846 projek bernilai RM56.1 bilion diluluskan tahun lalu, iaitu peningkatan 18.8 peratus daripada RM47.2 bilion pada 2010.

Beliau berkata, jumlah itu turut melepasi RM28.6 bilion atau 104 peratus daripada sasaran purata pelaburan tahunan sebanyak RM27.5 bilion yang ditetapkan dalam Pelan Induk Perindustrian Ketiga (IMP3) bagi tempoh 2006 hingga 2020.

“Projek yang membabitkan pelaburan asing berjumlah RM34.2 bilion atau 61 peratus, manakala pelaburan domestik berjumlah RM21.9 bilion mencakupi 39 peratus daripada jumlah pelaburan yang diluluskan tahun lalu,” katanya.

Industri elektrik dan elektronik terus mendominasi aliran kemasukan pelaburan, diikuti produk logam, peralatan pengangkutan, produk kimia, dan perkilangan makanan.

Subsektor itu merangkumi RM44.7 bilion atau 79.7 peratus daripada jumlah projek yang diluluskan.

Mustapa berkata, Jepun, Korea, Amerika Syarikat, Singapura dan Arab Saudi adalah sumber tertinggi bagi FDI dalam projek sektor perkilangan yang diluluskan, iaitu berjumlah RM22.5 bilion, atau mewakili 65.8 peratus.

Mengenai prospek kemasukan FDI bagi 2012 ini, beliau menegaskan, ia diunjurkan seiring dengan arah aliran global yang dijangkakan meningkat kepada AS$1.7 trilion.

“Malaysia dijangka mampu mengekalkan kemasukan FDI seperti dicatatkan pada 2011, walaupun dalam keadaan ekonomi global masih tidak menentu kerana 72 peratus daripada FDI yang diterima adalah dari negara Asia,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, pelaburan swasta juga dijangka meningkat kepada RM110 bilion tahun ini daripada RM94 bilion tahun lalu, didorong pelaburan domestik yang kukuh khususnya dalam sektor minyak dan gas.

Sumber : Berita Harian
Tarikh: 22 Februari 2012
Today's Pick (22/02/12/029/723)

afternoon highlight (21/02/12/032/506) Tax spotlight on green building materials

Tax spotlight on green building materials

PETALING JAYA: The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry will look at ways to reduce the costs of green building materials in order to encourage the use of such materials in property and public infrastructure development.

“We can consider this. I will definitely look seriously at this.

“For example, the import duties on such materials,” said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui after he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement between property developer Ken Holdings Bhd and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) to undertake collaborative research and develop green technology in housing construction.

Chin reiterated that the Government already provided tax deduction incentives for building developers concerning the additional costs of achieving accreditation as being environment-friendly by rating tools such as Malaysia's Green Building Index (GBI).

Meanwhile, the ministry is aiming to promote the implementation of green projects this year, under the Government's Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF), by the authorities in five locations, namely Miri (Sarawak), Pulau Sah Besar (Kenyir Lake, Terengganu), Universiti Malaya, Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan) and Hang Tuah Jaya (Ayer Keroh, Malacca).

Chin said this was among the Ministry's KPIs (key performance indicators) this year.

Chin also pointed out that there were efforts to implement the use of green technology in Government buildings.

“Many government buildings are old, and were not designed to comply with GBI. We are trying to implement and retrofit (green elements) and eventually, we may be able to call Putrajaya and Cyberjaya green communities.

“We have discussed this with Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd and Sepang Municipal council,” he said.

Chin said the Works Ministry was spearheading efforts concerning green government buildings, and had proposed minimum standards for certification.

He also said the ministry was compiling details on energy usage by the various ministries, and would submit a report to the Cabinet at the “appropriate time.”

Also, according to the Ministry, about RM607mil under the Green Technology Financing Scheme has been approved for 36 projects since the scheme started in January 2010.

The scheme can benefit companies which are producers and users of green technology.

Under the GTFS, the Government would bear 2% of the financing interest, and in addition, provide a guarantee of 60% on the financing amount via Credit Guarantee Corp Malaysia Bhd (CGC).

Meanwhile, the collaboration between Utar and Ken Holdings would focus on developing an energy-efficient design system for housing, by using heat insulated roofing sheets, walling blocks and panels.

Ken Holdings would provide Utar with materials for the collaboration, which would include building an “experimental village” in the Ken Rimba township in Shah Alam.

Source : The Star
Date : 21 February 2012
afternoon highlight (21/02/12/032/506)

Today's Pick (021/02/12/028/722) PNS sasar latih 10,000 usahawan

PNS sasar latih 10,000 usahawan

Program latihan Akademi Francais perkukuh profesionalisme francaisi

AKADEMI Francais yang ditubuhkan Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (PNS) bagi membangunkan kumpulan profesional dalam industri francais, akan melalui rancangan pembangunan lebih agresif menerusi pelan lima tahun ke arah menjadi pusat francais Asia menjelang 2016.

Ketua Akademinya, Dr Suhaimi Sulaiman, berkata PNS menyasar melatih sehingga 10,000 usahawan serta meningkatkan profesionalisme di kalangan usahawan francais sedia ada, menerusi kursus dan program latihan dalam industri francais yang diperkukuhkan.

Katanya, PNS juga menyasarkan untuk menjana pendapatan berjumlah RM9 juta dalam tempoh lima tahun ini, yang mana 65 peratus daripadanya diperoleh melalui program latihan francais dan selebihnya bagi program latihan bukan teras yang terbuka kepada kakitangan serta orang ramai.


“Akademi francais memainkan peranan penting dalam Teras Utama bagi Pelan Induk Pembangunan Francais Nasional yang dilancarkan baru-baru ini, bagi membangunkan kecekapan modal insan francais.

“Berdasarkan peranan ini, PNS akan melaksanakan pelbagai program pembangunan lebih serius termasuk memperkenalkan program francais kami untuk diterima pakai oleh semua universiti di seluruh negara, selain menjadi pusat pengajian tinggi sepenuhnya menjelang 2016. Ketika ini, Akademi Francais adalah antara bahagian di bawah PNS,” katanya kepada Berita Harian, di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Beliau berkata, setakat ini panel penasihat Akademi Francais membangunkan 11 modul pembelajaran bagi melatih francaisi yang terbahagi kepada empat peringkat untuk ditamatkan peserta, manakala modul bagi francaisor masih dalam pembangunan dengan kerjasama syarikat perunding dari luar.

Katanya, setakat ini, PNS memeterai memorandum persefahaman (MoU) dengan Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) bagi mengeluarkan Diploma Eksekutif Francais kepada pelajar yang berjaya menamatkan kesemua 11 modul pembelajaran itu.

“Kami juga ke arah memeterai perjanjian sama dengan Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dan Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) yang dijangkakan sebelum akhir tahun ini,” katanya modul berkenaan akan turut diperluaskan bagi pelajar tahun akhir di politeknik seluruh negara.

Dalam pada itu, Suhaimi berkata, setakat tahun lalu, Akademi Francais melatih kira-kira 1,400 orang dalam bidang francais, dan 10 daripadanya berjaya membuka perniagaan sendiri yang merangkumi bidang perhotelan, restoran dan kesihatan.

“Bukan itu saja, menerusi kaji selidik, usahawan francais yang mengikuti program latihan dan motivasi PNS juga didapati berjaya meningkatkan jualan mereka serta menguruskan perniagaan dengan lebih baik.

“Namun apa yang lebih penting, setakat ini PNS tidak berdepan sebarang masalah dalam mengutip semula pinjaman daripada peminjam yang mengikuti latihan francais daripada Akademi Francais, ini kerana mereka disemaikan mengenai pentingnya sikap membayar balik pinjaman bagi memberi peluang kepada bakal usahawan yang lain,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, PNS menyasarkan pendapatan sebanyak RM1.4 juta tahun ini diikuti RM2 juta (2013), RM2.5 juta (2014) dan seterusnya meningkat sehingga mencapai RM9 juta pada akhir 2016, selain membangunkan lebih ramai pelatih di kalangan kakitangan PNS bagi mengurangkan kebergantungan kepada pelatih luar.

Source : Berita Harian
Date : 20 February 2012
Today's Pick (021/02/12/028/722)

afternoon highlight (20/02/12/031/505) Revised Malaysia auto policy rollout in two months

Revised Malaysia auto policy rollout in two months

The much-awaited revised National Automotive Policy (NAP) will be announced in two months, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.

One of the key areas being looked into by the government is the opening up of the lucrative 1.8-litre segment
.“We’re almost there and doing some touchup on the details due to the recent developments between Proton Holdings Bhd and DRB-HICOM Bhd,” Mustapa said in an interview with newspapers of The New Straits Times Press group last Friday.

He chaired the last meeting on Wednesday with all the stakeholders including Toyota, Nissan and Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd.Representatives of banks, insurance companies and Fomca (Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations) were also there.

“It was very inclusive for the first time and the stakeholders were happy to share their views,” Mustapa said.The NAP, which was first introduced in 2006, is being reviewed to transform and integrate the local automotive industry intothe regional and global industry networks.

Malaysia Automotive Institute recently commented that the second review of the NAP had been more comprehensive, with inputs from industry stakeholders who were previously not consulted.

These included the Malaysian Automotive Recyclers Association (MAARA) and Federation of Automobile Workshop Owners Association of Malaysia.

The trade minister disagreed that the delay showed that the NAP hinged on Proton and DRB-HICOM, although he acknowledged that both play a major role in the sector.

“They are two big players and we have to take their views into account,” Mustapa remarked. Referring to the takeover of Proton by DRB-HICOM, he said there are processes and procedures for the companies to effect a full takeover.

“Being in a transition period, there are legal requirements to comply with, which was why the ministry had to engage withthem,” he added.DRB-HICOM is the largest automotive company by sales.

On the 1.8-litre segment, Mustapa said he had received keen interest from foreign automotive companies including the Chinese and Japanese for a more liberal environment in the segment.

The current policy does not allow foreign carmakers to get the licence to directly manufacture vehicles in the segment.

Foreign manufacturers now produce vehicles such as Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis and Kia Forte with their Malaysian partners.

Overall, the NAP will help Malaysia regain its lost status as the region's largest passenger car market that has now been overtaken by Thailand, with Indonesia following closely.

It will also bring a lot of focus towards developing energy-efficient vehicles, Mustapa added.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 20 February 2012
afternoon highlight (20/02/12/031/505)

Today's Pick (020/02/12/027/721) Coverage for foreign workers in Malaysia

Coverage for foreign workers in Malaysia

THE government is making it compulsory by June 2012 for all employers to buy health insurance protection amounting to RM120 per year for each of their foreign workers.

"So far, the government has seen 1.4 million of insurance policies taken up by foreign workers in the construction and restaurant sectors.


Those that have not taken up are domestic helpers and estate workers," said Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) director of healthcare NKEA Dr Chua Hong Teck.

"Those employers who fail to fulfil this requirement will see their foreign workers' permit not renewed by the Immigration Department.

This health insurance scheme is an add- on to the health screening requirement by Fomema Sdn Bhd," he told reporters here yesterday.

"Yes, there is no such law to enforce the mandatory element. It is done administratively by the Immigration Department," the Pemandu director said.

Dr Chua then explained that this scheme provides hospitalisation and medical benefits at government hospitals to foreign workers with coverage of RM10,000 per year for all injuries and sickness.

A total of 25 insurance companies and two third party claims administrators are participating in this scheme."At RM120, it works out to be only RM10 per month.

If one can spend RM10 on a packet of cigarettes per month, then it's not much to provide health insurance for his domestic helper, right?," said the senior government official from the Pemandu, a unit of the Prime Minister's Department.

"Bank Negara Malaysia has endorsed this RM120 per year insurance policy which is the most value-for-money hospitalisation coverage.

Employers who have bought RM50 or RM60 per year policy for their domestic helper is just for personal accident. I'm sure it does not cover hospitalisation.

"The employer needs to differentiate the various coverage the insurance policies offer," he added.

To a question if employers can deduct the RM120 per year insurance coverage from their domestic helper's salary, Dr Chua replied, "this is between the employer and the domestic helper.

Right now, government hospitals are experiencing around RM5 million or RM6 million a year in unpaid medical bills incurred by foreign workers.

This is being borne by taxpayers' money. Is this fair to taxpayers like you and me?

"The Health Ministry had since January 2011 wanted to impose this ruling on foreign workers in the plantation sector.

It was, however, repeatedly opposed by farmers.This is because oil palm and rubber plantation firms are already footing the medical bills of their foreign workers under the Workers Minimum Housing Standard & Amenities Act 1990.

This law mandates all estate owners to provide healthcare facilities and services for their staff, including foreign workers.Malaysian Palm Oil Association chief executive officer Datuk Mamat Salleh reportedly said this ruling forces plantation companies to pay a second time what they have already been providing to foreign workers.

"Injury-related accident cases are already covered by the Workmen Compensation Insurance. Currently, employers are paying RM72 for each foreign worker," Mamat said.

"If our estate members were to participate in the medical insurance scheme, we'll be paying an extra RM50 million to insurance companies for the 400,000 foreign workers staying in the estates," he added.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 18 February 2012
Today's Pick (020/02/12/027/721)

afternoon highlight (17/02/12/030/504) Promosi perniagaan melalui Facebook

Promosi perniagaan melalui Facebook

FACEBOOK adalah rangkaian media sosial yang paling pantas berkembang pada masa kini dan dianggarkan hampir separuh daripada pengguna Internet dunia mempunyai akaun Facebook. Setiap hari beribu-ribu pengguna baru mendaftarkan diri untuk menggunakannya.

Pada saat artikel ini ditulis, terdapat 12,268,300 penduduk Malaysia yang mempunyai akaun Facebook iaitu hampir separuh daripada jumlah penduduk dan nombor itu juga mewakili 70 peratus daripada populasi dalam talian Malaysia.

Fakta-fakta itu menyokong mengapa Facebook menjadi laman web nombor satu paling ramai dilayari di Malaysia dan juga kebanyakan negara lain.

Bayangkan potensi yang sangat besar ini serta pengaruh yang boleh dibawa melaluinya untuk membina jenama dan seterusnya mempromosikan sebarang produk atau perkhidmatan kepada 12 juta bakal pelanggan! Satu peluang yang seharusnya direbut segera oleh mana-mana usahawan untuk melonjakkan perniagaan mereka.

Jika dibandingkan dengan medium lain seperti akhbar, majalah, radio dan televisyen, Facebook mempunyai kelebihannya yang tersendiri dalam menghubungkan terus pelanggan kepada perniagaan anda kerana sifatnya sebagai ruang untuk bersosial.

Manusia secara semulajadinya memang memerlukan kehidupan sosial tetapi kesibukan harian untuk bekerja dan mencari rezeki telah membataskan keperluan itu, tetapi apabila Facebook muncul, ia bagai mengisi kekosongan dalam jiwa mereka.

Tetapi persoalannya bagaimana untuk mengeksploitasikan kelebihan ini semaksimumnya untuk kebaikan perniagaan dan keusahawanan? Jika diperhatikan pada wall bila kita masuk ke dalam akaun Facebook, saya percaya anda mungkin sudah boleh lihat pelbagai ragam orang dalam mempromosikan apa-apa produk dan perkhidmatan mereka.

Ada sebahagiannya mengiklankan terus dengan memberikan pautan, memaparkan gambar produk, menandakan (tag) nama anda pada imej tertentu, mempromosikan tawaran-tawaran diskaun dan lain-lain. Ini adalah minda pengiklanan cara lama yang dibawa dari medium-medium tradisional. Dalam dunia teknologi, orang mudah meluat dengan pengiklanan seperti itu dan di dalam Facebook mereka mempunyai kuasa untuk menapisnya atau memblok terus.

Teknik menanda gambar produk dengan nama rakan-rakan juga sebenarnya agak tidak senonoh dan seringkali membuatkan orang tidak selesa. Bayangkan jika ada rakan menampalkan iklan mereka di atas belakang kita tanpa disedari dan kita berjalan-jalan di tempat awam. Nampak bodoh bukan?

Kadang-kadang kita juga mungkin ada menerima permintaan dari 'Kedai Emas', 'Jom Cuti', 'Karipap Sedap' atau nama-nama pelik lain lagi untuk menjadi rakan Facebook anda.

Cuba fikirkan, jika kita suka pada karipap, kita sudah tentu tidak akan berkawan dengan karipap, tetapi sebaliknya dengan orang yang membuat karipap itu, kerana karipap tidak boleh bersosial, begitu juga dengan kedai atau apa-apa jenama, sebaliknya kita bersosial dengan manusia. Komunikasi sebenar hanya wujud bila ada sentuhan nurani manusia dalam jalinan perhubungan. Ingat, Facebook adalah medium sosial.

Menggunakan Facebook sebagai medium untuk mempromosikan jenama atau perniagaan, anda kena lakukannya secara berhemah dan betul. Membuka akaun kedua atau menggunakan nama perniagaan sebagai profil di Facebook bukan sahaja salah di sisi peraturan Facebook tetapi juga adalah kaedah yang tidak profesional dan boleh merosakkan jenama perniagaan kita dalam jangka masa panjang.

Cara yang sepatutnya ialah dengan menghasilkan laman Facebook anda sendiri, ia adalah seperti membina laman web di dalam Facebook tetapi lebih mudah. Sebelum ini laman Facebook banyak digunakan oleh artis atau komuniti tertentu untuk membina laman peminat (fan page), tetapi keupayaan sebenarnya adalah jauh dari itu. Anda boleh mengendalikan perniagaan dalam talian anda sepenuhnya melalui Facebook tanpa memiliki laman web pun!

Untuk mencipta laman untuk perniagaan anda sendiri adalah cukup mudah, hanya klik pada pautan Create A Page pada bahagian bawah Facebook dan kemudian pilih kategori, muat naik logo atau gambar profail syarikat, masukkan maklumat asas, jemput rakan-rakan dan semuanya siap dalam masa seminit-dua sahaja.

Anda boleh menggunakan laman yang dihasilkan itu untuk tujuan perniagaan anda, sama ada untuk mendidik bakal-bakal pelanggan tentang produk atau perkhidmatan perniagaan anda, memaklumkan tentang apa-apa aktiviti atau perkembangan terbaru, serta membuat promosi tentang apa yang anda jual.

Laman itu juga berfungsi sebagai ruang untuk anda melayan kerenah pelanggan ibarat talian khidmat pelanggan seperti yang dimiliki oleh syarikat dan korporat besar!

Apa yang anda perlu lakukan di peringkat awal ialah untuk mengajak seramai mungkin rakan-rakan untuk like laman anda, serta menggalakkan mereka berkongsi laman anda dengan rakan-rakan mereka yang lain pula
.

Jika profail Facebook anda hanya dibenarkan mempunyai sekitar 5,000 rakan sahaja, tetapi laman Facebook anda boleh mempunyai pengikut dan peminat yang tiada hadnya walaupun berjuta.

Menggunakan laman itu juga, anda tidak lagi perlu 'menceroboh' dan menulis di wall orang lain untuk membuat promosi, sebaliknya apa yang anda tulis di laman anda akan tersiar di wall setiap pengguna Facebook yang like laman anda tidak kira sama ada mereka rakan anda atau tidak, dan ini semuanya adalah percuma!

Terdapat banyak cara yang boleh anda gunakan untuk meramaikan peminat atau pengikut laman anda dan boleh dipelajari dengan merujuk kepada pautan http://www.putera.com/2012/02/.

Apa yang penting, anda perlulah rajin untuk menulis dan mengemaskininya dengan kandungan yang bermanfaat kepada pengguna.

Contohnya jika anda adalah pengusaha karipap segera, anda boleh gunakan laman itu untuk berkongsi cerita tentang kenapa karipap segera wajar menjadi barangan runcit yang sentiasa perlu dibeli oleh suri rumah yang tidak punya masa untuk membuat karipap sendiri. Saya percaya ramai peminat karipap yang suka makan karipap tetapi tidak tahu bagaimana atau tidak ada masa untuk membuatnya sendiri.

Sesekali berkongsilah apa-apa cerita lucu yang berkaitan dengan karipap. Sesuatu yang lucu seringkali mudah menyentuh perasan orang dan mereka senang hati untuk berkongsi cerita itu dengan rakan-rakan mereka pula.

Orang selalunya akan berkongsi cerita yang menarik atau berguna dengan rakan-rakan mereka. Perhatikan apa yang dibualkan oleh pakcik-pakcik yang lepak di kedai kopi dan perhatikan apa yang digosipkan apabila makcik-makcik bertandang ke rumah jiran. Dalam bersosial tidak kira di mana, manusia memang cenderung untuk berkongsi cerita, dan tidak terkecuali Facebook, sebab itulah ada pautan untuk berkongsi (share).

Apabila pengguna Facebook berkongsi cerita dari laman anda, tanpa disedari mereka sebenarnya sedang mempromosikan perniagaan anda, dan cara halus sebegini sebenarnya lebih berkesan berbanding iklan biasa-biasa seperti "Dapatkan karipap paling sedap di dunia!".

Dalam menjadikan laman perniagaan anda lebih menarik, gunakanlah gambar atau imej yang bersesuaian. Anda boleh muat naik gambar-gambar mengenai produk anda, majlis-majlis yang berkaitan dan juga mungkin mempelawa para pelanggan anda mengirimkan gambar-gambar mereka bersama produk anda.

Bila bersedia, anda boleh memulakan langkah seterusnya untuk 'mencanggihkan' lagi laman tersebut dengan ciri-ciri tambahan yang disediakan oleh Facebook sendiri ataupun melalui pihak ketiga. Ini termasuklah untuk memasukkan video sehinggalah kepada menyediakan kemudahan tempahan dan bayaran secara dalam talian, semuanya melalui laman Facebook itu.

Source : Utusan Malaysia
Date : 16 February 2012
afternoon highlight (17/02/12/030/504)

afternoon highlight (16/02/12/029/503) Peluang Malaysia terokai pasaran Jerman

Peluang Malaysia terokai pasaran Jerman

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Feb. - Pembukaan lapangan terbang baharu Brandenburg di bandar raya Berlin pada 3 Jun ini dijangka mampu menarik lebih ramai pelabur asing ke Jerman termasuk dari Malaysia.

Sempena pembukaan lapangan terbang berkenaan, Lembaga Pembangunan Ekonomi Brandenburg (ZAB) telah mengadakan promosi zon perindustrian baharu seluas 500 hektar kepada pelabur Malaysia yang berpotensi.

Pengarah Urusan ZAB, Rolf Strittmatter berkata, ketika ini, pelaburan syarikat Malaysia di Jerman sangat kecil dan kurang popular berbanding negara Eropah lain.

"ZAB melihat Malaysia mempunyai banyak syarikat yang berpotensi dikembangkan ke sini. Pelbagai insentif ditawarkan antaranya subsidi perniagaan, cukai rendah, geran pembiayaan dan bantuan perniagaan.

"Antara sektor yang dilihat berpotensi diceburi adalah media, bioteknologi, elektrik dan elektronik, pengurusan sisa pepejal, plastik dan tenaga boleh diperbaharui," katanya pada sidang akhbar sempena majlis mempromosikan lapangan terbang Brandenburg di sini hari ini.

Strittmatter berkata, pembukaan lapangan terbang baharu berkenaan dijangka meningkatkan pertumbuhan zon ekonomi Brandenburg sehingga 30 peratus dalam tempoh dua tahun dengan jangkaan satu hingga dua peratus adalah sumbangan pelaburan dari Malaysia.

"Kami mempunyai 40 zon ekonomi di sekitar lapangan terbang Brandenburg. Lokasi yang strategik iaitu terletak di tengah-tengah bandar raya Berlin antara faktor zon tersebut mendapat sambutan hangat," jelasnya.

Mengulas tentang prestasi perdagangan Malaysia dengan Jerman, beliau berkata, tahun lalu sebanyak 12 bilion euro (RM48 bilion) nilai perdagangan telah direkodkan antara kedua-dua negara.

"Eksport ke Jerman adalah sebanyak 5.5 bilion euro (RM22 bilion) manakala import ke Malaysia adalah 6.5 bilion euro (RM26 bilion)," ujarnya.

Beliau berkata, selain berusaha menarik pelaburan ke Jerman, pihaknya turut mempromosikan peluang pelaburan di Malaysia di kalangan syarikat tempatan.

"Pada Jun ini sebuah syarikat berasaskan kimia akan membuat pelaburan bernilai 50 juta euro (RM200 juta) di Selangor diikuti syarikat plastik juga dengan nilai pelaburan yang sama.

"Selain pelaburan besar, banyak syarikat kecil yang menawarkan perkhidmatan seperti kejuruteraan, rundingan dan kepakaran telah membuka pejabat di Malaysia dengan purata pekerja seramai 10 orang," katanya lagi.

Source : Utusan Malaysia
Date : 16 January 2012
afternoon highlight (16/02/12/029/503)

afternoon highlight (15/02/12/028/502) Eksport farmaseutikal RM564 juta lepasi sasaran

Eksport farmaseutikal RM564 juta lepasi sasaran

LIOW (kanan) bersama Presiden Persatuan Farmaseutikal Malaysia, Ewe Kheng Huat ketika pelancaran buku Phama Industry Fact di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

INDUSTRI farmaseutikal negara semakin mendapat perakuan global apabila eksport produk berkenaan melonjak melepasi sasaran kepada RM564 juta pada 2011, naik enam peratus berbanding tahun sebelumnya berikutan keberkesanan pelaksanaan 13 projek permulaan (EPP) di bawah Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP).

Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, berkata tahun ini, pihaknya menyasarkan peningkatan eksport yang lebih tinggi iaitu lapan peratus kepada RM610 juta.

“Sektor kesihatan adalah sebahagian daripada 12 Aktiviti Ekonomi Utama Nasional (NKEA) dan berpotensi untuk menyumbang kepada keluaran dalam negara kasar (KDNK),” katanya selepas majlis pelancaran buku PhAMA Industry Fact, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Sektor kesihatan adalah sebahagian daripada 12 Aktiviti Ekonomi Utama Nasional (NKEA) dan berpotensi untuk menyumbang kepada keluaran dalam negara kasar (KDNK).

- Liow Tiong Lai, Menteri Kesihatan Beliau berkata famaseutikal adalah satu daripada 13 projek permulaan (EPP) berkaitan sektor penjagaan kesihatan di bawah Bidang Ekonomi Utama Negara (NKEA).Industri itu, katanya, diperakui sebagai segmen ekonomi strategik dan dibangunkan sebagai enjin pertumbuhan ekonomi Malaysia, katanya.

“Oleh itu, saya berharap lebih banyak syarikat multinasional menjalin usaha sama dengan syarikat farmaseutikal Malaysia memandangkan ia adalah antara strategi utama yang boleh mendorongnya mencapai potensi sepenuhnya.

“Kementerian Kesihatan memperakui hakikat bahawa bagi merealisasikan kesemua matlamat NKEA penjagaan kesihatan, kita perlu terbabit sepenuhnya dengan kesemua pemegang kepentingan,” katanya.

Liow berkata, sektor swasta sangat penting dalam merealisasikan objektif NKEA dan kementerian akan menggalakkan lebih banyak dialog bersama wakil organisasi korporat bagi memperoleh maklumat belas kritikal untuk masa hadapan.

Industri penjagaan kesihatan dijangka menjana RM42.2 bilion pendapatan negara kasar dengan lebih 260,000 pekerjaan baru diwujudkan menjelang 2020.

“Bagi memastikan kesemua 13 EPP berkembang seperti dirancang, Kementerian Kesihatan akan memantau aktiviti NKEA,” kata Liow

Source : Berita Harian
Date : 15 Feb 2012
afternoon highlight (15/02/12/028/502)

Today's Pick (015/02/12/025/719) Manufacturing sales value rises 1.1% in December




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

afternoon highlight (14/02/12/027/501) MRT project seen benefiting big and small companies

MRT project seen benefiting big and small companies

PETALING JAYA: The My Rapid Transit (MRT) project is expected to benefit almost all levels of companies in the construction sector but competition will still be stiff, according to analysts responding to the complete list of more than 80 work packages for the country's biggest infrastructure development that was recently made public.

An analyst said looking at the complete list, it would surely benefit big and small construction players but the competition would be stiff.

“This (competition) is expected to influence the margins of the packages. For the evelated civil or viaduct works, I expected the margins to be in the range of low to middle single digits while the tunnelling works is expected to have margin in the range of high single digit to early teens,” he told StarBiz
.

Another construction analyst said the project was likely to take up significant capacity in the local construction industry.

“Nevertheless, what's more important is that while it is good to come up with the complete works timeline, keeping to the scheduled timetable is another matter.

“We just have to wait and see,” he said.

Meanwhile, HwangDBS Vickers Research said the next anticipated awards were for the other elevated civil works packages that included V4 (Section 16 Petaling Jaya to Semantan portal), V1 (Sungai Buloh to Kota Damansara), V2 (Kota Damansara to Dataran Sunway) and V3 (Dataran Sunway to Section 16) where tenders would be called in the second quarter and the awards would be in the third quarter of this year.

“We expect contract sizes to be chunky for each package at between RM700mil to more than RM1bil,” it said in a report.

There will be open and bumiputera categories, whereby the listed beneficiaries for the open category include Sunway Construction, Mudajaya Corp, Muhibbah Engineering, IJM Corp, Malaysian Resources Corp and Gadang Engineering.

The bumiputera category-listed beneficiaries include Naim Engineering , Trans Resources Corp, TSR Capital, Ahmad Zaki Resources and Dekon

Source : The Star
Date : 14 Feb 2012
afternoon highlight (14/02/12/027/501)

Today's Pick (014/02/12/024/718) PKS wajar dapatkan perlindungan

PKS wajar dapatkan perlindungan

Skim insurans perniagaan bantu pengusaha hadapi risiko kerugian akibat bencana

PERUSAHAAN kecil dan sederhana (PKS) adalah sektor perniagaan yang paling pesat berkembang di Malaysia.

Dengan anggaran 99 peratus daripada syarikat yang ditubuhkan di negara ini terdiri daripada PKS, adalah jelas sektor itu perlu dikukuhkan lagi bagi membolehkannya menjadi sumber pertumbuhan penting sekali gus mengekalkan momentum perkembangan ekonomi Malaysia.

Perlindungan yang disediakan oleh insurans perniagaan mengurangkan beban pemilik syarikat jika berlaku sebarang insiden yang menyebabkan kerugian besar dari segi kewangan Segmen PKS juga dikenal pasti sebagai salah satu sektor yang wajar diperhatikan di bawah Model Ekonomi Baru (MEB) apabila kerajaan memberikan tumpuan khusus terhadapnya.

Antara subsektor yang diberi perhatian termasuk bidang pemborongan, peruncitan, hospitaliti serta restoran dengan masing-masing diunjurkan mencatatkan kadar pertumbuhan tinggi dalam beberapa tahun ini.

Begitupun, tahap kesedaran pengusaha PKS terhadap insurans perniagaan di negara ini masih berada pada paras agak rendah, dengan anggarannya kini kurang daripada 50 peratus.

Kaji selidik oleh sebuah firma penyelidikan terkemuka global mendapati setiap syarikat mempunyai keperluan berbeza untuk asas perniagaan masing-masing bergantung kepada jenis risiko dan saiz perniagaan itu sendiri.

Sebagai contoh, syarikat yang terbabit dalam jual beli barang kemas, makanan dan minuman (F&B), perhotelan dan pengangkutan mempunyai tahap risiko paling tinggi.

Syarikat yang terbabit dalam perniagaan farmasi atau keluli pula mempunyai tahap risiko sederhana manakala syarikat percetakan, dobi, pusat tuisyen dan beberapa jenis perkhidmatan profesional mempunyai tahap risiko yang rendah.

Antara cabaran dan kekangan biasa yang dihadapi oleh syarikat PKS pula antaranya adalah dari segi aliran tunai, bahan mentah, material dan jualan.

Dalam usaha melindungi syarikat daripada masalah lain yang tidak diduga pada masa depan, insurans perniagaan adalah antara senjata ampuh kepada mereka untuk terus berdaya tahan.

Bagaimanakah insurans perniagaan dapat menangani keperluan syarikat PKS?

Dengan adanya insurans perniagaan, sesebuah syarikat itu akan dapat melindungi perniagaan masing-masing daripada sebarang risiko dengan memastikan terdapat perlindungan mencukupi daripada sebarang kecelakaan.

Selain itu, ia juga memberikan perasaan selamat kepada pemilik perniagaan, mengurangkan beban jika berlakunya sebarang insiden yang boleh menyebabkan tahap kewangan terjejas serta membolehkan mereka memberi tumpuan kepada perkara lain yang dapat membantu mengukuhkan asas perniagaan masing-masing.

Meskipun kepentingan mendapatkan insurans adalah jelas di semua peringkat, masih banyak syarikat PKS khususnya di Malaysia yang masih teragak-agak untuk mendapatkannya.

Biasanya, ia adalah disebabkan persepsi salah terhadap insurans kerana kebanyakan pemilik perniagaan menganggap perlindungan insurans membabitkan kos yang mahal.

Sesetengah pula mempunyai tahap kesedaran dan pengetahuan yang masih agak rendah terhadap keperluan mendapatkan perlindungan untuk perniagaan mereka. Sebagai satu bentuk perlindungan, peranan insurans perniagaan adalah sama di seluruh segmen perniagaan.

Ia bertindak sebagai pelindung dan penyokong kepada perniagaan jika sebarang perkara tidak diingini berlaku.

Walaupun pelanggan sedar mereka mungkin tidak dapat menerima semula keseluruhan pampasan kos yang diinsuranskan, ia masih mustahak bagi membolehkan pemilik perniagaan dapat menampung kerugian yang dialami apabila berlaku sesuatu bencana.

Sesetengah pemilik perniagaan pula sangat menyedari pentingnya mendapatkan perlindungan insurans untuk perniagaan masing-masing, justeru sangat terbuka untuk melabur mendapatkannya.

Ada juga yang menambah nilai perlindungan apabila perniagaan berkembang. Masa untuk mendapatkan perlindungan pula biasanya bergantung kepada industri dan kestabilan sesebuah syarikat itu sendiri.

Pengusaha PKS yang ditemui Berita Harian baru-baru ini berkata insurans perniagaan menyediakan keselesaan untuk menjalankan kegiatan perniagaan dengan perasaan yang tenang serta dapat merancang keperluan masa depan.

“Perlindungan yang disediakan oleh insurans perniagaan mengurangkan beban pemilik syarikat jika berlaku sebarang insiden yang menyebabkan kerugian besar dari segi kewangan.

“Sebagai pemilik syarikat, kami mampu memberi tumpuan kepada beberapa perkara lain untuk mengembangkan perniagaan tanpa perlu risau mengenai aset kumpulan,” kata Norshahrizam Norazlan.

Pemilik sebuah kilang di Semenyih itu berkata pengusaha PKS sebenarnya mempunyai banyak pilihan untuk mendapat perlindungan mengikut apa yang diperlukan oleh perniagaannya.

“Anda boleh mendapatkan khidmat nasihat daripada ejen syarikat insurans mengenai premium yang sesuai dengan aset perniagaan. Setiap industri biasanya mempunyai keutamaan dan keperluan yang berbeza antara satu sama lain, maka terpulang kepada pengusaha untuk mendapatkan yang terbaik kepada perniagaan,” katanya.

Pendapatnya itu mengukuhkan lagi bahawa perlindungan untuk perniagaan adalah mustahak, justeru setiap PKS perlu mempunyai polisi pengurusan risiko masing-masing untuk menjamin daya tahan mereka dalam pasaran yang semakin sengit.

Berikutan itu, insurans perniagaan, khususnya perlu dilihat sebagai jaringan keselamatan untuk syarikat dan bukan berfungsi semata-mata sebagai perkakas kewangan.

Source : Berita Harian
Date : 13 February 2012.
Today's Pick (014/02/12/024/718)






afternoon highlight (13/02/12/026/500) 125,000 ditawar sertai program keusahawanan

125,000 ditawar sertai program keusahawanan

Kementerian bantu tingkat sosioekonomi bekas tentera

MERSING: Kementerian Pertahanan mengenal pasti kira-kira 125,000 bekas anggota Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) tidak berpencen di seluruh negara untuk menyertai program khas keusahawanan dan peluang kerjaya bagi meningkatkan sosioekonomi mereka.

Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, berkata menerusi program itu, kementerian menyasarkan untuk melahirkan 1,000 usahawan di kalangan kumpulan terbabit setiap tahun.

Beliau berkata, usaha ke arah itu sedang dijalankan melalui ujian psikometrik yang dikendalikan Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) bagi mengenal pasti ciri dan minat dalam diri mereka sebelum dilatih menjadi usahawan.

Katanya, setakat ini 2,000 bekas tentera sudah mendaftar untuk menjadi usahawan dan modul khusus untuk mereka dirangka dengan kerjasama MARA, SME Bank serta Perwira Niaga Malaysia (PERNAMA).

“Program dirangka khusus membantu bekas tentera yang tiada pencen untuk menjana pendapatan bagi meningkatkan taraf hidup mereka dan seterusnya membebaskan mereka daripada masalah kesempitan wang,” katanya selepas menyampaikan Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) di sini, semalam.

Dr Abdul Latiff berkata, mungkin ramai daripada golongan terbabit mempunyai minat menjadi usahawan tetapi tidak mempunyai ilmu serta kemahiran dalam bidang berkenaan.

“Justeru melalui program yang dirangka ini, kementerian mensasarkan tiga kategori iaitu usahawan baru, kumpulan mempunyai bidang sendiri namun belum berjaya dan kumpulan yang ada bidang sendiri serta berjaya dalam bidang diceburi.

“Mereka yang terbabit akan diberi kemahiran serta ilmu berkaitan untuk menjadi usahawan yang akan dipantau Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT),” katanya.

Katanya kerajaan fokus serta prihatin kepada golongan terbabit dan program tersebut adalah salah satu usaha untuk membantu mereka supaya tidak terdesak menjalani kehidupan sekali gus meningkatkan taraf hidup.

Source : Berita Harian
Date : 13 February 2012
afternoon highlight (13/02/12/026/500)

Today's Pick (014/02/12/023/717) Personal Data Protection Act will boost E-Commerce, says Rais

Personal Data Protection Act will boost E-Commerce, says Rais

KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the Personal Data Protection Department following gazetting of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 will lead in higher "e-commerce" and "e-business" transactions.

This will expedite development of the electronic networking system in the country, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim.

He said the government's move to recognise an individual's importance via the Personal Data Protection Act would instil confidence among the masses, practitioners of e-commerce and the electronic network that their personal information was adequately protected.

The Act would also help propel Malaysia to emerge as the hub for communications, electronic commerce and an attractive industrial investment and multimedia destination, he said when opening the department and an awareness seminar on personal data protection.

Rais said the Act would also provide the guarantee for personal data protection in accordance with the international standard to Malaysia's foreign trade partners.

"Higher electronic-based transactions have raised the status of personal data which previously did not have high commercial value. The value was equivalent to that of the main commodities," the minister said.

Rais said a person's integrity and personal data protection were crucial factors for Malaysia's transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-oriented nation backed by information and communications technology infrastructures.

So far, more than 100 countries have and are introducing the personal data protection legislation, he added. - BERNAMA

Source: The Star
Date : 9 February 2012
Today's Pick (014/02/12/023/717)

afternoon highlight (10/02/12/025/499) Total trade up 8.7pc, thanks to Asia exports

Total trade up 8.7pc, thanks to Asia exports

Malaysia chalked an 8.7 per cent growth in its total trade for 2011, thanks to an Asia-driven export market, enabling the country to record an all-time high of RM1.27 trillion in total trade.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the strong trade performance was recorded despite the slow economic recovery in the US, uncertainties arising from the debt crisis in the eurozone, pockets of unrest in West Asia following the Arab Spring, supply chain disruptions due to the tsunami and earthquake in Japan and floods in Thailand.”

The growth figures also beat the five to six per cent official forecasts. Asian markets absorbed 71.3 per cent of the total exports, which remained focused largely on manufactured goods.

Mustapa expects total trade to grow by five to six per cent in 2012, after factoring in the risks from the eurozone debt crisis.
Services exports are projected to grow by 4.9 per cent this year.


“As East Asia is forecast to grow fastest, followed by South Asia, growth in Malaysia’s exports is expected to follow this path,” he told a media briefing yesterday.

China, Asean and India will continue to be the major drivers of export growth. For 2011, exports grew by 8.7 per cent to
RM694.55 billion while imports rose by 8.6 per cent to RM574.23 billion.

Exports in December beat market expectations and increased by 6.1 per cent due to nonelectrical and electronic (E&E) products while imports increased by 10.4 per cent.

Malaysia also achieved its 14th consecutive trade surplus since 1998, which was comparable to developed Singapore and South Korea.

For 2011, the minister said China had overtaken Singapore to become Malaysia’s largest export market, with a total value of RM91.25 billion.

Palm oil (47.4 per cent), crude rubber (62.7 per cent) and liquefied natural gas contributed to the increase in exports to China last year, he added.

Exports to Japan also rose last year, driven by higher demand for products to meet post-tsunami needs, especially for the construction of infrastructure and energy needs.

In the case of India, he said it was the only market that recorded a significant increase of RM1 billion in Malaysia's exports of E&E products, which forms the mainstay of Malaysia's manufacturing products.

On markets still stricken with uncertainties, such as the European Union, Mustapa said exports enjoyed a growth of 4.7 per cent, mostly on commodities such as palm oil and crude rubber.

In the case of the US, where the economic recovery was slow, export growth was also led by palm oil, although E&E exports declined.

Apart from tapping China's large appetite for Malaysian merchandise, Mustapa said his ministry was keen to increase the number of investments to Malaysia by leveraging on the 50-odd trade investment missions lined up this year.

To sustain export growth in 2012, the ministry will intensify export promotion programmes in these markets


Source : New Straits Times
Date : 10 February 2012
afternoon highlight (10/02/12/025/499)

afternoon highlight (10/02/12/025/499) Total trade up 8.7pc, thanks to Asia exports

Total trade up 8.7pc, thanks to Asia exports

Malaysia chalked an 8.7 per cent growth in its total trade for 2011, thanks to an Asia-driven export market, enabling the country to record an all-time high of RM1.27 trillion in total trade.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the strong trade performance was recorded despite the slow economic recovery in the US, uncertainties arising from the debt crisis in the eurozone, pockets of unrest in West Asia following the Arab Spring, supply chain disruptions due to the tsunami and earthquake in Japan and floods in Thailand.”

The growth figures also beat the five to six per cent official forecasts. Asian markets absorbed 71.3 per cent of the total exports, which remained focused largely on manufactured goods.

Mustapa expects total trade to grow by five to six per cent in 2012, after factoring in the risks from the eurozone debt crisis.
Services exports are projected to grow by 4.9 per cent this year.


“As East Asia is forecast to grow fastest, followed by South Asia, growth in Malaysia’s exports is expected to follow this path,” he told a media briefing yesterday.

China, Asean and India will continue to be the major drivers of export growth. For 2011, exports grew by 8.7 per cent to
RM694.55 billion while imports rose by 8.6 per cent to RM574.23 billion.

Exports in December beat market expectations and increased by 6.1 per cent due to nonelectrical and electronic (E&E) products while imports increased by 10.4 per cent.

Malaysia also achieved its 14th consecutive trade surplus since 1998, which was comparable to developed Singapore and South Korea.

For 2011, the minister said China had overtaken Singapore to become Malaysia’s largest export market, with a total value of RM91.25 billion.

Palm oil (47.4 per cent), crude rubber (62.7 per cent) and liquefied natural gas contributed to the increase in exports to China last year, he added.

Exports to Japan also rose last year, driven by higher demand for products to meet post-tsunami needs, especially for the construction of infrastructure and energy needs.

In the case of India, he said it was the only market that recorded a significant increase of RM1 billion in Malaysia's exports of E&E products, which forms the mainstay of Malaysia's manufacturing products.

On markets still stricken with uncertainties, such as the European Union, Mustapa said exports enjoyed a growth of 4.7 per cent, mostly on commodities such as palm oil and crude rubber.

In the case of the US, where the economic recovery was slow, export growth was also led by palm oil, although E&E exports declined.

Apart from tapping China's large appetite for Malaysian merchandise, Mustapa said his ministry was keen to increase the number of investments to Malaysia by leveraging on the 50-odd trade investment missions lined up this year.

To sustain export growth in 2012, the ministry will intensify export promotion programmes in these markets


Source : New Straits Times
Date : 10 February 2012
afternoon highlight (10/02/12/025/499)

Today's Pick (010/02/12/022/716) Bumiputera firms to gain

Bumiputera firms to gain

KHAZANAH Nasional Bhd and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) will divest 10 non-core businesses to qualified Bumiputera companies via open tender, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

He said these businesses would either be sold or outsourced in efforts to increase Bumiputera equity.

“This will be done through a process of open tender where potential Bumiputera companies will be invited (to take part) and the most qualified company will be chosen to own these companies,” he said after chairing the Bumiputera Agenda Action Council (MTAB) meeting at his office yesterday.

Khazanah is the investment holding arm of the government while PNB is the nation’s largest fund management company. Present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Last year, the government revealed it had identified 33 companies under six governmentlinked investment companies which were ready for divestment. It was reported last month that government divestment in government-linked companies was expected to be in “high gear” this year. Yesterday, Najib said the council had also decided to include 50 more companies in the High-Performing Bumiputera Small-Medium Enterprises Unit (Teras), bringing the total under the programme to 80.

He said these 50 companies had undergone evaluations and have been earmarked for further improvements. The total revenue of these companies is RM5 billion. Najib said it was not necessary for these companies to be awarded government contracts, but efforts would be made to develop them in terms of management, technical and financial capabilities. “It is also to help these companies grow innovatively and improve business plans under Teraju.”

Teraju refers to Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera, set up to increase Bumiputera participation in the economy. Najib also said the council decided to make SME Corp a partner to Teraju to develop Bumiputera

enterprises, 88 per cent of which are micro-entities.

Fund to help degree holders get professional certificates

Such companies, if aided even packaging wise, can help increase their turnover to reach greater heights.

Najib also announced that the Peneraju Bumiputera Foundation Fund, launched last year, would facilitate Bumiputera degree holders in obtaining their professional certificates in certain fields.

Citing accountancy as an example, he explained that the foundation would help upgrade their accreditation so they could become recognised professionals.

Najib said the council wanted to increase the funds to half a billion ringgit from the current RM158 million it has for this initiative.

"The fund is also aimed at those who wanted to but could not afford to further their studies at private higher-learning institutions.

"Maybe the foundation can help by topping up for high-achievers who came from poor or middle-class families."

Najib also announced the appointment of Raja Azura Raja Mahayuddin as the chief executive officer of the leading foundation for Bumiputera education, Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera, from Feb 14.

Answering a question about the country's economy, Najib stressed that Malaysia was still resilient and on track to achieve growth of five to six per cent for last year.

"We are still monitoring the situation for this year, but there is enough momentum in the system. We will keep track (before) revising anything."

Raza Azura said the foundation would start planning initiatives and would look into areas that had yet to be explored by other foundations.

She said the RM500 million it was targeting would come from the private sector, although it had yet to decide in what shape the funds would come from.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 10 February 2012
Today's Pick (010/02/12/022/716)

afternoon highlight (09/02/12/023/498) Malaysians more careful with their spending

Malaysians more careful with their spending

Malaysians are spending less on new clothes and out-of-home entertainment as well as switching to cheaper grocery brands and curbing telephone spending.

Malaysians have started to cut down on telephone expenses as a means to manage their budget as concerns over the economy, job security and increasing food prices linger.

At the same time, consumers are switching to cheaper grocery brands, the latest Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions reveals.

While spending less on new clothes and out-of-home entertainment remained the top two strategies to manage discretionary spending, switching to cheaper grocery brands and curbing telephone spending ranked third and fourth.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the percentage of those surveyed who said that they are opting for cheaper brands increased to 53 per cent from 48 per cent in the third quarter of 2011. Those who cut telephone expenses increased to 48 per cent from 44 per cent in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, online consumer confidence revealed that Malaysia remained the tenth most confident country among 56 countries surveyed. Malaysia was ahead of Thailand and just behind United Arab Emirates.

Nielsen Malaysia's managing director Kow Kuan Hua said in a press release that despite the higher-than- expected third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5.8 per cent in November 2011, online consumers are uncertain that the jump in both public expenses and private consumption as well as future contributions under the Economic Transformation Programme would be able to fully offset the bearish external conditions.

"Although economists have revised upwards their 2011 full-year GDP growth forecasts, both they and consumers are concerned whether our export-oriented manufacturing growth rate will continue to rise upwards while global economic circumstances remain challenging," Kow said.

Nielsen added that consumer optimism towards job prospects and personal finances is lingering at the same levels.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 8 February 2012
afternoon highlight (09/02/12/023/498)