Afternoon Highlight (19/02//13/28/726) MITI Confident Services Sector Will Contribute 70 Per Cent Of GDP By 2015

MITI Confident Services Sector Will Contribute 70 Per Cent Of GDP By 2015

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- The International Trade and Industry Ministry is confident the services sector will contribute 70 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2015, on par with with other developed countries such as the United States and Japan.

Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the 10th Malaysia Plan, running from 2011 through 2015, anticipates that the average real annual growth rate of the sector should accelerate to 7.2 per cent during 2010-2015, and recognises that higher investments are needed in the services sector.

"We can't push any higher than 70 per cent because it will be at the expense of other sectors.

"The services sector is now a facilitator of domestic growth and employment as well as an anchor and support to other economic sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture," he told reporters at the "Programmes and Incentives for the Services Sector" briefing here today.

Based on January-June 2012 figures, services sector investment accounted for 67.5 per cent (RM59 billion) of total investments of RM87.3 billion towards the GDP with 29.5 per cent (RM25.8 billion) of investment in manufacturing, he said.

Source : Bernama

Date : 19 Feb 2013

Today's Pick (19/02/13/29/954) Rationalisation of Proton vendors showing result

Rationalisation of Proton vendors showing result

ONGOING: Carmaker continues looking at ways to make it leaner and more efficient 

PROTON Holdings Bhd has seen some positive, initial impact from the rationalisation programme of its vendors.

Proton deputy chief executive officer Datuk Lukman Ibrahim did not elaborate on the "positives", saying the rationalising is still ongoing.

The move is part of the national carmaker's overall restructuring to make it leaner, and more streamlined and efficient.

It is looking at all aspects of operations, especially in the QCD category (quality, competency and delivery areas).

"Positive impact is starting to show but we are still looking at how to rationalise our vendors so that the entire ecosystem can support Proton in a better way," Lukman said after DRB-HICOM Bhd's Chinese New Year open house celebration here yesterday.

Proton is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRB-HICOM.

Lukman said Proton is seriously looking at ways to bolster the competitiveness of its vendors because their strength and weaknesses correlate directly with Proton.

"Whatever grant that the government gives, we will use it to support the vendors," said Lukman.

On the possibility of Proton vendors collaborating with those of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd, Lukman only said any partnership will be good as it will allow the vendors of both carmakers to reap economies of scale.

It was reported earlier this month that the Malaysian Automotive Institute, Proton, Perodua and the International Trade and Industry Ministry would cooperate in the rationalisation of the local automotive supply chain to make it more efficient and competitive.

They will find ways to explore possibilities in streamlining the vendor system to reap synergies and the economies of scale for the vendors.

Meanwhile, Lukman said Proton is set to launch a new model this year. 

Source: The Star

Date: 19 Feb 2013

Afternoon Highlight (18/02//13/27/725) Medini sees demand from SMEs

Medini sees demand from SMEs

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a clear demand from small and medium enterprises, particularly from Singapore, for affordable space in Medini Iskandar, said Medini concession holder Global Capital & Development (GCD) chief executive officer Keith Martin.

This is not only a positive driver for development at Medini, Iskandar Malaysia but will also spur the growth of the Malaysian economy as it enters the list of high-income nations.

He said that GCD's next focus is to further engage in discussions with business park operators on opportunities to fund an SME business park for a wide range of business sectors and services.

GCD, he said, is seeing more investors, especially from Singapore, who are showing a keen interest in buying the three segments or development zones of Medini, namely Medini Business, Medini Living and Medini Lifestyle.

Recently, Medini got a further boost of S$1 billion (RM2.5 billion) investment from Singapore property developer Link Holdings Pte Ltd to develop the Media Village @ Medini Iskandar.

Martin said Singaporean investors' interest in the development of Iskandar Malaysia is expected given its proximity with Singapore, which is just a 40-minute drive from Singapore's Central Business District via the Tuas second link, and its good transport links with Kuala Lumpur.

"We also see the development of Medini as being complementary to both Singapore's growth and an expansion opportunity for Malaysian companies based in Kuala Lumpur," he said in an email interview.

He said Singapore and Kuala Lumpur-based companies can enjoy a cost-effective blended solution and dual platform for business, one in Medini where they can expand and base their support services given the more affordable business and living space; and the other in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Martin said for Singapore-based companies, this may be a suitable option, especially in light of concerns expressed about the rising business costs and tightening of foreign manpower policy in the country as well as the recent property cooling measures deployed by the Singapore government.

"In this way, we see opportunities for future joint benefits and regional growth prospects for both Malaysia and Singapore."

Martin said GCD is committed to continue partnering quality investors to transform Medini into a destination city of global significance.

To date, GCD has secured a sizeable amount of committed investments in Medini. Iskandar Malaysia had until December last year recorded total cumulative investment of RM105.14 billion, exceeding the initial target of RM10 billion.

Source: Business Times

Date: 18 Feb 13

Today's Pick (18/02/13/28/953) GoEx bantu PKS eksport produk

GoEx bantu PKS eksport produk

Kuala Lumpur: SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) mewujudkan program yang dipanggil, Going Export (GoEx) sebagai laluan pantas untuk mempercepatkan proses pengantarabangsaan syarikat perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) tempatan. 

Program GoEx itu adalah satu daripada enam strategi utama Program Berimpak Tinggi (HIP) Pelan Induk PKS (2012 -2020) khusus bagi meningkatkan jumlah syarikat PKS yang berupaya mengeksport produk keluaran atau perkhidmatan mereka ke pasaran antarabangsa. 

Tawar bantuan khusus

Ketua Eksekutif SME Corp, Datuk Hafsah Hashim (gambar), berkata program GoEx itu menawarkan bantuan khusus kepada pengeksport baru dan usahawan PKS yang menceburi pasaran baru berpotensi tinggi. 

Beliau berkata, menerusi program itu, syarikat PKS yang sudah bersedia ke pasaran luar negara akan diberikan sokongan komprehensif oleh agensi terbabit khusus bagi mempercepatkan proses mereka ke peringkat antarabangsa.

“Antara sokongan yang akan diberikan termasuk akses kepada kepakaran pasaran dan pembeli, dan pematuhan kepada piawaian bagi memastikan produk atau perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan menepati standard antarabangsa. 

Program tepati objektif 

“Program ini menepati sebahagian objektif Pelan Induk PKS yang menyarankan pendekatan terancang bagi menggalakkan syarikat berinovasi dan mempunyai pertumbuhan tinggi merealisasikan potensi maksimumnya serta membimbing mereka menceburi pasaran global,” katanya kepada BH baru-baru ini.

Selepas dilancarkan Julai tahun lalu, Pelan Induk PKS yang bermula tahun ini akan dilaksanakan oleh pihak awam dan swasta yang dikenal pasti dengan SME Corp bertindak sebagai penyelaras keseluruhan pelaksanaan Pelan terbabit.

Bantu syarikat 

Sejajar dengan kepentingan PKS kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK), kerajaan memperuntukkan sebanyak RM30 juta di bawah Bajet 2013 sebagai kos permulaan melaksanakan HIP dan program lain berkaitan pelan itu. 

Mengulas mekanisme GoEx, Hafsah berkata, kumpulan pengurusan program yang bertanggung jawab membantu syarikat PKS yang menyertainya akan menyediakan dan melaksanakan pelan jualan eksport yang diperlukan.

Source: Berita Harian

Date: 18 Feb 13

Afternoon Highlight (15/02//13/26/724) myNEF sets target to sustain Bumi technopreneurs

myNEF sets target to sustain Bumi technopreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR: New Entrepreneurs Foundation (myNEF) has set an objective to help at least 3,000 Bumiputera technopreneur businesses to be sustainable in the next three years.

The non-profit organisation has been entrusted by the government to engage Bumiputera technopreneurs and identify key areas to grow their businesses.

As part of a larger initiative by the government to increase Bumiputera involvement in businesses, myNEF was founded together with the industry to facilitate, assist and train entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and increase revenue.

"Our objective is to assist the best we can to help Bumiputera technopreneurs' businesses to be sustainable," myNEF chairman Ashran Ghazi said at a media briefing here yesterday.

He said to achieve this, myNEF will leverage on existing government programmes that have been put in place to help Bumiputera technopreneurs.

"Our role is to facilitate and connect them to the right platforms," he said.

In the coming months, myNEF is organising a series of roadshows called "Karnival ICT dan Kreatif (KiCK)" nationwide to explain and get more participants to join the programmes.

"Interested companies are encouraged to join the event and get involved," Ashran said.

Last year, the prime minister announced the PUsh (Pemangkin Usahawan) initiative by myNEF in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Bumiputera Infor-mation and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry and Entrepreneurs with the aim to create a sustainable ecosystem for ICT and creative development.

The programmes under PUsh initiative, to name a few, are myNEF national distribution network, creative content marketing network and global partnership programme.

Key benefit of these programmes is to create and grow sustainable ICT and creative businesses.

In addressing the needs of software companies to have better sales and market reach locally, myNEF is creating a national distribution network to facilitate the distribution of these products.

To date, more than 40 companies with 120 products have registered with myNEF and the organisation welcomes more companies that have their own software products to participate.

On the distribution aspects of this programme, it is focusing on getting local ICT businesses nationwide on board as channel partners.

"This business opportunity is open to all ICT companies that want to resell or value add to their existing product lines, which myNEF hopes will in turn contribute to an increase in net revenue for them.

"I hope more ICT companies located in various parts of the country will come forward to participate as channel partners in this programme, as I believe we have product lines that can contribute to their business sustainability," Ashran added. 

Source: Business Times

Date : 15 Feb 2013

Today's Pick (15/02/13/27/952) CIDB Eyes RM110 Bln Construction Projects This Year

CIDB Eyes RM110 Bln Construction Projects This Year 

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) expects the industry to secure approximately RM110 billion worth of projects this year, driven by the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), said Chief Executive Datuk Seri Dr Judin Abdul Karim.

Last year, projects secured totalled an overwhelming RM120 billion, surpassing expectations for RM95 billion.

"The local construction industry did very well last year, registering growth of about 18 per cent higher compared with 2011, despite the weakening world economy.

"We see more projects streaming in this year and we expect the growth to be quite robust," he told a press conference after signing the Corporate Integrity Pledge (CIP) today, witnessed by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

The pledge was signed as part of efforts to ensure responsibility, transparency and integrity in all dealings with the public and construction industry practitioners.

Judin said the board expects the industry to still be busy in the next few years with more MRT projects expected to be rolled out as well as other projects in the ETP.

On the overseas market, he said Myanmar and Indonesia could possibly offer huge opportunities given their big populations and increasing demand for infrastructure.

"Malaysian contractors have the experience and expertise to cater to their construction needs," he said.

For the upcoming International Construction Week, organised by CIDB and to be held from March 25 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, India has requested a slot to highlight the opportunities available there, especially in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.

Source: New Straits Times

Date: 14 February 13

Afternoon Highlight (14/02//13/24/722) PETRONAS serba salah: Dr Mahathir

PETRONAS serba salah: Dr Mahathir

Petronas 'tersepit' antara memperjuangkan objektif asasnya untuk meningkatkan komuniti perniagaan Bumiputera dengan membuka perniagaan bagi penyertaan asing sejajar dengan pelan globalisasi perniagaannya, kata bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Beliau berkata, syarikat minyak negara itu sentiasa menyokong komuniti perniagaan tempatan terutama usahawan Bumiputera.

“PETRONAS dalam keadaan serba salah. Di sebelah pihak, ia diminta membuka ruang untuk penyertaan perniagaan luar manakala pada pihak yang lain, ia perlu menegakkan objektif penubuhannya untuk meningkatkan komuniti perniagaan Bumiputera.

“Apabila kita membukanya, syarikat asing cenderung untuk mengatasi syarikat tempatan dalam mendapatkan kontrak kerana mereka mempunyai portfolio yang lebih baik dan rekod prestasi yang telah terbukti,” kata Dr Mahathir yang juga adalah penasihat PETRONAS dalam satu temu bual dengan BERNAMA.

Dr Mahathir berkata, syarikat Bumiputera tempatan perlu diberikan keutamaan oleh PETRONAS dalam memberikan projek.

Pertimbang isu

“Bagi tujuan itu, PETRONAS, Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Melayu (MTEM) dan beberapa pertubuhan bukan kerajaan yang lain telah mengadakan perbincangan tentang bagaimana untuk menangani isu itu secara baik untuk mencapai penyelesaian yang menguntungkan kedua-dua pihak.

“Jika kita hanya mencari syarikat yang berkemahiran tinggi, pastinya syarikat asing akan mempunyai kelebihan.

“PETRONAS akan sentiasa mengingati prinsip penubuhannya adalah untuk membantu syarikat tempatan, khususnya syarikat Bumiputera.

“Pihak pengurusan PETRONAS mempertimbangkan isu ini. Melalui perbincangan, ia akan menghasilkan rancangan yang baik,” kata beliau sebagai mengulas kenyataan gabungan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan Melayu yang kecewa terhadap PETRONAS dengan mendakwa semua kontrak utamanya telah diberikan kepada syarikat asing.

Mendakwa syarikat tempatan yang sama berkelayakan tidak mendapat apa-apa kontrak, MTEM juga menuntut Presiden dan Ketua Eksekutif PETRONAS, Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas supaya bertanggungjawab atas kegagalan itu dan perlu berundur.

Kontrak secara adil

MTEM juga meminta Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak supaya campur tangan dan memastikan kontrak PETRONAS dianugerahkan secara adil.

PETRONAS diperbadankan pada 17 Ogos, 1974 sebagai syarikat minyak nasional Malaysia, mendapat hak keseluruhan pemilikan dan kawalan sumber petroleum di negara ini.

Ia telah berkembang daripada hanya menjadi pengurus dan pengawal selia sektor huluan Malaysia kepada syarikat minyak dan gas bersepadu sepenuhnya dan berada dalam senarai Fortune Global 500 syarikat terbesar di dunia.

Source: Berita Harian

Date: 14 February 13

Today's Pick (14/02/13/26/951) People world-wide are buying fewer mobile-phones for the first time in four years

People world-wide are buying fewer mobile-phones for the first time in four years

LONDON: Sales of mobile-phones around the world fell last year for the first time since 2009 as consumers shunned cheaper feature phones, research company Gartner said.

“Tough economic conditions, shifting consumer preferences and intense market competition weakened the worldwide mobile-phone market,” Gartner analyst Anshul Gupta said yesterday.

Smartphone sales, a category dominated by Samsung and Apple, continued to rise, he said, and the higher-end devices would account for more than half the market for the first time this year.

Total worldwide mobile sales to end-users fell 1.7% to 1.75 billion units in 2012, Gartner said.

Samsung and Apple continued to dominate the market, with the South Korean company selling 385 million phones in 2012, of which 53.5% were smartphones, with Apple selling 130 million smartphones.

In the fourth quarter alone, Apple and Samsung accounted for 52% of smartphone sales, up from 46% in the third quarter.

China's Huawei reached third spot in worldwide smartphone sales for the first time in the fourth quarter, Gartner said.

The company sold 27.2 million smartphones to end-users in 2012, up 74%. - Reuters

Source: The Star        

    

Date: 14 Feb 2013

Afternoon Highlight (13/02//13/24/722) Gapurna is MRCB's 2nd-largest shareholder

Source: The Malaysian Reserve

Date : 13 February 2013

Today's Pick (13/02/13/25/950) Malaysia, Australia auto tie-up

Malaysia, Australia auto tie-up

Agreement encompasses three key areas of the industry

PETALING JAYA: Players in Malaysia's auto industry will soon join hands with their Australian counterparts following the free trade agreement which came into effect this year.

Malaysian Automotive Institute (MAI) chief executive officer Madani Sahari said that besides the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Mafta), both countries had also inked an economic and technology cooperation agreement in August last year.

Essentially, it was a way for both countries to complement each other, where Australia could leverage on its technological capabilities to bring Malaysia up one level while Malaysia would be the gateway for Australia to penetrate the Asean market, he said.

“The agreement would encompass three key areas of the industry technology, human capital and supply chain. MAI would be a window to connect to Austalia's Automotive Cooperative Research Centre (AutoCRC) to tap into its technical knowledge and skills,” he said.

Since January, Madani said, five projects with a development value of RM15mil had been initiated. All are 50% funded by the Australian government, as will be future projects.

The collaboration with AutoCRC will be for five years but the parties involved are already deliberating on extending it for another five years.

“These projects involve the development of several manufacturing capabilities like tooling, pattern testing and fixture design.

“All these are to enhance the local supply chain and also the vendor's produce and process design,” he added.

Madani said although Australia's total industry volume was about 1.1 million a year, its domestic production was just 180,000 units.

In contrast, Malaysia's total industry production last year stood at 569,620 units, for both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Under Mafta, there will be zero import duties on auto components sent to Australia, while the import duties on shipments to Malaysia would be capped at 30%.

“Although it may look one-sided for now, the duties will be gradually reduced to zero to 5% by 2016,” Madani said.

MAI is also working towards mirroring Australia's auto supplier excellence programme, devising one to cater to both local and Asean industries.

“The programme will perform an overall business evaluation on auto companies in Malaysia, with a complete dissection and analysis of the businesses and opportunity sourcing for these companies to move forward,” Madani said.

So far, he said, MAI had outlined 100 tier-one vendors for the programme, with officials from Australia helping in the evaluation of the companies.

“An automotive training centre needs to be set up, too. Our benchmark will be a similar set-up like the Kangan Institute in Melbourne, which is a specialised training centre for all the OEMs (original equipment manufacturers),” he said.

Meanwhile, under the human capital programme, Madani said MAI had completed two programmes involving 46 lecturers and trainers. “We will soon liaise with the private institutions for the programme. These individuals would then train our local graduates who will soon join the workforce,” he said.

Source : The Star

Date :13 Feb 2013

Afternoon Highlight (08/02//13/23/721) PIKOM targets ICT revenue of RM95b by 2017 on 10% growth

PIKOM targets ICT revenue of RM95b by 2017 on 10% growth

The National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Association of Malaysia, or PIKOM, aims to grow the industry’s revenue to RM95 billion by 2017 with its new “5-year strategic direction”.

Supported by six key thrusts, PIKOM expects the industry’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to grow steadily by 10% over the next five years.

“The strategic direction and key thrusts are aimed at providing greater value to members, addressing the human capital issues we face as an industry, creating and growing the demand for ICT products and services domestically while increasing our competitiveness with the end game of creating world class ICT players,” said PIKOM chairman Woon Tai Hai during his speech at the association’s announcement of its five-year strategic direction in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

The key thrusts include globalising the country’s ICT industry, increasing competitiveness, promoting human capital development, leading the digital trend, enhancing value to the association’s members and accelerating growth of Malaysian ICT demand.

By order of priority, the first would be to enhance value to PIKOM’s members, followed by promoting human capital development, and third is to increase competitiveness of the ICT industry, according to PIKOM chief executive officer Shaifubahrim Salleh, who was also present at the event.

Shaifubahrim added that PIKOM will “plant seeds” for the remaining three thrusts.

Last year, the national ICT revenue stood at RM57 billion while this year’s projection is expected to be around RM62 billion, according to a study by PIKOM.

Source: The Malaysian Reserve

Date : 8 February 2013

Today's Pick (08/02/13/24/949) D&B rating to boost credibility of SMEs

D&B rating to boost credibility of SMEs

KUALA LUMPUR: Dun & Bradstreet Malaysia Sdn Bhd (D&B) has launched its credit rating certification for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia to boost their business credibility.

In a statement yesterday, D&B said with the introduction of the credit rating certification, firms will be able to tap D&B's credit rating expertise and uncover new business opportunities and potential revenue for their companies.

"The credit rating certification of Malaysian companies should serve as a strong confidence booster to businesses here, whether the firm being certified with a credit rating or the firm conducting due diligence," said D&B Malaysia's Marcom and product manager Eugene Zachariah. 

Since 1841, D&B's credit rating has served as a reference for firms to assess credit risk and determine the amount of credit to be extended to potential business partners.

With the rating, Malaysian companies will be in a better position to manage business risks.

D&B said with more initiatives being implemented by the Malaysian government to open up Malaysia's economy through its Economic Transformation Programme, the need for credit rating certification has become ever more crucial for firms in Malaysia to safeguard as well as to expand their business interests regionally and globally.

D&B is the world's leading provider of business-to-business credit, marketing and purchasing information and receivables management services. Bernama

Source : The Star 

Date : 8 February 2013

Afternoon Highlight (07/02//13/22/720) Matrade: Global share in halal exports still small

Matrade: Global share in halal exports still small

DESPITE spearheading the halal industry, Malaysia's halal exports as a percentage of the global share is still small, says Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Wong Lai Sum.

"But it is encouraging that the profile has changed over the past 10 years with the focus shifted from purely food products (farm to table) to include cosmetics and bodycare products," she said at a media briefing to mark the soft launch of Malaysia Halal Week in April.

The annual Malaysia Halal Week, with the theme "A Decade of Excellence", will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from April 3 to April 6.

Thousands of participants are expected to converge at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) and the World Halal Week Conference.

Wong said the event is hoped to sustain last year's total sales of more than RM500 million and 10,000 visitors.

To boost the level of halal exports, she said Malaysians should look to MIHAS for opportunities, linkages and collaboration with other players in the global halal market, which is estimated to be more than US$2.3 trillion (RM7.13 trillion).

The non-food sector is much bigger and includes chemicals, healthcare, cosmetics, personal care and pharmaceuticals.

Another promising and fast gaining acceptance in the halal industry is the syariah-compliant services, which include banking and finance, logistics, warehousing and distribution.

Wong said government-private sector collaboration aims to strengthen international trade links and create innovations within the industry to further expand the halal industry and reach the 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.

The uptake of non-Muslim interest in halal products and services should also be strongly considered, she added.

The World Halal Week starts with the WHW Conference that is organised by the Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) in collaboration with IHI Alliance.

Participants can exchange ideas on new research findings, emerging technologies, trends, issues and challenges.

From a small trade and consumer fair, MIHAS has grown to become an exclusive World Halal trade event, and, being the premier marketplace for products and services, has paved the way in halal trade development.

It also completes the halal eco-system by being an excellent platform for halal manufacturers, suppliers and distributors from all over the world to gather, meet, network and trade with halal industry stakeholders.

Since it was held in 2004, the event has been held in three different venues, namely MIECC, KL Convention Centre and MATRADE, all in Kuala Lumpur.

Source : Business Times

Date : 7 Feb 2013

Today's Pick (07/02/13/23/948) Asian Pac says KK Times Square project should be completed by year-end

Asian Pac says KK Times Square project should be completed by year-end

PETALING JAYA: Property developer Asian Pac Holdings Bhd expects to complete the construction of its KK Times Square mixed development in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, by year-end.

Chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas said the take-up for the residential units had been positive.

“The construction cost for the development is about RM700mil,” he told a press conference yesterday.

The development comprises 641 apartments, 36 exterior shops and over 200 retail units.

Megat Najmuddin said the apartments would be launched in five phases.

“We have already launched three phases and most of the apartments have already been taken up,” he said, adding that some of the buyers were foreigners.

The first phase of KK Times Square, consisting of 12 blocks of five- to eight-storey office units, was completed in 2007.

The second phase service apartments and the Imago shopping mall is currently under construction.

Megat Najmuddin said the company had secured Parkson as an anchor tenant for the mall.

“Kota Kinabalu is a great place for foreigners to live in. However, there are insufficient shopping malls there. Hopefully, Imago will change all of that and give them what they need,” he added.

He said the company's next project was its Kepong B3 mixed development, which it expected to launch before the end of this year.

“It has a gross development value of RM250mil and is being developed on a three-acre piece of land,” he said.

Megat Najmuddin said the company currently had about 400 acres of undeveloped landbank in the country. “We have land in Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kepong and Rawang. We are looking to acquire more land in Selangor,” he said.

Source : The Star

Date : 5 February 2013

Afternoon Highlight (06/02//13/21/719) Poh Kong sees sales boost on higher gold prices

Source : The Malaysian Reserve

Date : 04 February 2013

Today's Pick (06/02/13/211/719) Halal cert for pharmaceutical products 'will boost exports'

Source : The Malaysian Reserve

Date : 2 Feb 2013