afternoon highlight (28/03/12/057/534) MTDC has helped 89 tech firms under 9MP

MTDC has helped 89 tech firms under 9MP

SERDANG: Half of 178 technology companies that received grants from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP, 2006-2010) had successfully penetrated the global market.

MTDC chief executive officer Norhalim Yunus said these companies registered a combined sales of RM280 million.

He said this after the launch here of TV3's new Winners 3 programme, which highlights the development of MTDC's aspiring entrepreneurs.

The launch was officiated by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Norhalim said since the Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000), MTDC - the government agency spearheading the development of technology business - had given out more than RM700 million worth of grant to close to 500 companies.

 Under the 9MP, financing was given to 178 companies amounting to RM340 million. The amount of sales these companies registered between 2006 and 2010 was about RM700 million, close to doubling the amount of financing granted.

Under the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015), which is entering its third year, a total of 490 companies have benefited from MTDC's grant valued at about RM100 million.

Nor Mohamed said these numbers were encouraging, seeing that the government was committed to aiding companies that are able to produce innovative products.

Earlier, Nor Mohamed said the government not only expected but was confident that agencies like MTDC would be able to place more technology-based companies globally.

Meanwhile, Winners 3 will feature 42 technology companies that had been assisted by MTDC.

Those companies are selected based on the unique technologies they had produced as well as their abilities to overcome obstacles in steering their companies forward.

The 13-episode Winners 3 show will be aired every Friday on TV3.

 Source : New Straits Times

Date : 28 March 2012

afternoon highlight (28/03/12/057/534)

afternoon highlight (22/03/12/053/528) Miti to simplify process for halal certification

Miti to simplify process for halal certification

KUALA LUMPUR: Financial constraint and manpower shortage are among the reasons why it took time for imported products to be endorsed with Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) halal certification.

Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said it takes between six months and a year for the imported products to be certified halal by Jakim. "We are looking at ways to simplify this," he said here yesterday.

Currently, Jakim recognises halal certification from 57 bodies coming from 33 countries. However, due to the lack of a single global halal standard, the process and procedures from each country sometimes are different from the ones practised by Jakim.

The ministry organised a briefing session on Malaysia Halal System for the representatives from foreign embassies. The briefing was held yesterday for the first time to clarify issues pertaining to the halal market in Malaysia and explain potentials of this booming industry. Twenty-four foreign delegates attended the briefing, including the ambassadors from Uruguay and Argentina, trade commissioners and officials from various industries.

Malaysia's exports of halal products jumped 53.24 per cent to RM35.4 billion last year from RM23.1 billion recorded in 2010.

Halal ingredients led exports with RM12.3 billion, followed by food and beverages at RM11.9 billion, palm oil derivatives at RM7 billion, industrial chemicals RM2 billion, cosmetics and personal care RM1.8 billion and pharmaceuticals RM290 million. The top five export markets for Malaysia's halal products were China, the US, Singapore, the Netherlands and Japan.  

Source : Business Times                      

Date : 22 March 2012

afternoon highlight (22/03/12/053/528)

afternoon highlight (13/03/12/046/521) MIDF salur pinjaman RM365j

MIDF salur pinjaman RM365j

400 syarikat, perusahaan dijangka dapat manfaat pembiayaan 3 skim

MALAYSIAN Industrial Development Finance Bhd (MIDF) mensasar menyalurkan pembiayaan berjumlah RM365 juta tahun ini di bawah tiga skim pinjaman mudah yang dikendalikannya.

Skim itu ialah Skim Pinjaman Mudah Untuk Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (SLSME), Skim Pinjaman Mudah Untuk Automasi dan Permodenan (SLSAM), serta Skim Pinjaman Mudah Untuk Automotif dan Pembangunan (SLSAD).

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulannya, Datuk Mohd Najib Abdullah, berkata pihaknya menjangkakan sekurang-kurangnya 400 syarikat dan perusahaan akan mendapat manfaat daripada pembiayaan itu.

“Daripada jumlah keseluruhan pembiayaan itu, kami bakal menyalurkan RM213 juta di bawah SLSME, RM60 juta di bawah SLSAM dan RM92 juta kepada SLSAD,” katanya kepada Berita Harian, baru-baru ini.

Beliau menambah, daripada 400 syarikat dan perusahaan yang disasarkan itu pula, 236 adalah bagi SLSME, SLSAD (100) SLSAM (64).

Tahun lalu, MIDF menyalurkan pembiayaan berjumlah RM273 juta di bawah tiga skim pinjaman mudah itu kepada 392 syarikat yang sebahagian besarnya diperuntukkan untuk SLSME dengan nilai keseluruhan RM179 juta membabitkan 359 syarikat.

Mengenai kriteria utama untuk pembiayaan itu, Mohd Najib berkata, setiap permohonan akan dinilai secara terperinci dari segi tahap daya maju perniagaan dan kebolehan menjana keuntungan atau aliran tunai yang sewajarnya untuk membayar balik pinjaman.

Katanya, MIDF juga melihat komitmen pinjaman syarikat terbabit dengan institusi kewangan lain, komitmen pemegang saham atau pengarah terhadap perniagaan dan komitmen lain yang berkaitan perniagaan syarikat sebelum meluluskan permohonan mereka.

“Sektor yang menjadi keutamaan sejak 50 tahun lalu adalah perkilangan atau pembuatan dengan 78 peratus usahawan dari sektor itu mendapat kemudahan pinjaman MIDF setakat ini,” katanya.

Mengenai kos pembiayaan skim berkenaan, beliau berkata, MIDF mengenakan kadar faedah pinjaman serendah empat peratus kepada syarikat atau perusahaan dalam kategori Perusahaan Kecil dan Sederhana (PKS) dan lima peratus bagi syarikat bukan PKS.

“Tempoh bayaran balik mengikut jenis pinjaman.

Contohnya, bagi pembiayaan pembelian aset tetap seperti hartanah perindustrian atau komersil, tempoh yang dibenarkan sehingga 15 tahun.

Bagi pembiayaan pembelian mesin, jentera dan peralatan pula, tempohnya adalah sehingga enam tahun,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Mohd Najib berkata, MIDF merancang memperkenalkan skim pinjaman khusus untuk pembiayaan pembelian hartanah komersial.

Menerusi produk itu, katanya, ia memberikan kelebihan kepada peminjam atau usahawan beroperasi di premis milik mereka dengan kos pembiayaan tetap tanpa perlu bimbang mengenai pergerakan Kadar Asas Pinjaman (BLR).

“Kelebihan utama program pembiayaan ini ialah proses kelulusan pinjaman dan pengeluaran wang akan dipercepatkan supaya syarikat atau perusahaan yang berdaya maju boleh mengembangkan perniagaan mereka dengan kos yang minimum,” katanya.

Source : Berita Harian
Date : 12 March 2012
afternoon highlight (13/03/12/046/521)

Today's Pick (12/03/12/042/736) Petronas Dagangan to set up 30 auto spas

Petronas Dagangan to set up 30 auto spas

KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Dagangan Bhd, the domestic marketing arm of Petroliam Nasional Bhd, wants to open up to 30 auto spa facilities at selected service stations this year.

Managing director and chief executive officer Amir Hamzah Azizan said the new spas will be set up in selected areas, namely in the Klang Valley, Johor, Penang and Terengganu.

The auto spa service was first launched late last year and it has six spas in the Klang Valley.

"Given the favourable response, we will definitely be extending this service to the rest of our Petronas stations in stages over the next few years," he said after the launch of Petronas Durance car care products and air fresheners here yesterday.

He noted that Petronas Dagangan would require heavy investments for the auto spa service.

Meanwhile, Amir said, the company would focus on promoting the newly launched Petronas Durance products through its 972 service stations nationwide as well as at retail stores and hypermarkets in major cities this year.

Petronas Durance, a strategic partnership between the company and its Italy-based sister company Petronas Lubricants International, comprises a range of high quality car care products to protect both the interior and exterior of vehicles.

The new product is also complemented by a collection of air fresheners for cars.

Petronas Dagangan has four core businesses of retail, commercial, liquefied petroleum gas and lubricants.

Its retail business continues to grow through the opening of new retail service stations, complimented by the broad expansion in products and services offered through the Mesra convenience stores.

Amir added that Petronas Dagangan plans to open about 67 new service stations nationwide this year.

For the nine months period ended December 31 2011, Petronas Dagangan pre-tax profit increased by RM5.5 million to RM898.9 million from the same period in 2010 , while revenue increased by RM5.4 billion to RM22.3 billion from the year before.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 12 March 2012
Today's Pick (12/03/12/042/736)

afternoon highlight (09/03/12/044/519) RM22bil plan to turn Mersing into the likes of Bali and Hawaii

RM22bil plan to turn Mersing into the likes of Bali and Hawaii

JOHOR BARU: Radiant Starfish Development Bhd plans to position Mersing town into an international tourist destination on par with Gold Coast, Bali, Caribbean and Hawaii.

Chief executive officer Ungku Safian Abdullah said the town had all the ingredients to become a tourist hotspot and its potential had yet to be exploited.

“I can guarantee you that Mersing town will no longer look like what it is seven years from now,'' he said at a press conference yesterday.

Ungku Safian said Mersing, which was located on the north east of Johor, was sandwiched between 40 unspoiled islands and the 200-million-year old Endau-Rompin National Park.

He was speaking after the signing of memorandum of agreements with YPJ Holdings Sdn Bhd, Sinohydro Corp (M) Sdn Bhd, Shengrong International Group Co Ltd and CIMB Insurance Brokers Sdn Bhd witnessed by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

The agreements entail the development of the RM22bil Mersing Laguna, which involves the building of hotels and villas, land reclamation, a water theme park and provide insurance coverage for the project.

Ungku Safian said the reclamation works and related infrastructure would cost RM4.2bil and RM1bil respectively, adding that some RM17bil was required for develop the rest of project which would take seven years to complete.

The components of the project will consists 22 blocks of five-storey boutique hotels with 3,000 rooms, 4,000 villas and service apartments, marina facilities and commercial development
“Mersing Laguna is aimed at attracting tourists with high spending power and travellers who would love nature and eco-tourism,'' he said.

Mersing Laguna is one of the nine projects announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Putrajaya on Feb 28 under the East Coast Economic Region.

Source : The Star
Date : 9 March 2012
afternoon highlight (09/03/12/044/519)

Today's Pick (07/03/12/039/733)Ministry allocates RM200mil for price standardisation scheme

Ministry allocates RM200mil for price standardisation scheme

BERA: The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (MDTCC) has allocated RM200mil to fund transport costs under the price standardisation scheme for rural traders and retailers nationwide this year.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, RM101mil was allocated to 485 areas in Sarawak, RM90mil for 460 areas in Sabah while the remainder would be channeled to states in the peninsula.

"Sabah and Sarawak are given bigger chunks of the allocation as shops operating in rural areas and islands are burdened with high transport costs, causing them to increase the price of their goods.

"With this transport aid scheme, necessity goods can be sold for the same price as in nearby cities and towns," he told reporters after presenting the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) to 1,800 residents of Bera on Saturday.

Ismail said, for example, prior to the price standardisation scheme, a 14kg gas cylinder in Bario (a remote village in Sabah) cost RM148 but was sold for RM27, which is the same in town.

"Meanwhile, the price of goods including controlled items such as cooking oil, sugar, flour, milk, rice and others were sold at normal prices as in the town areas," he added.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera assemblyman, said the price standardisation scheme will be extended nationwide to 920 more areas before year-end.

He urged traders to heed all regulations set, while those who do not and are found to sell above the fixed price will face action according to the Price Control Act.

He said the ministry's enforcement officers will also continue monitoring prices to ensure traders don't flout regulations. - Bernama

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 5 March 2012
Today's Pick (07/03/12/039/733)

Today's Pick (06/03/12/038/732) Govt to introduce more KR1M products

Govt to introduce more KR1M products

BERA: The Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) outlets will expand its range of products as more retailers and members of the public are expected to sell the KR1M brand items.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said those who were interested to sell KR1M products could sign up with the ministry.

He said a special committee had been formed to review each application before approval was given.

Ismail said applications were open until the end of March.

He said the Government was aiming to open 60 more KR1M outlets nationwide by the end of the year.

To date, there are 25 outlets throughout the country.

He added that the Government had allocated RM40mil this year to upgrade existing KR1M outlets with new equipment, such as cupboards and shelves.

When asked about the variety of products, Ismail said there were currently 250 types of products available at KR1M outlets and this would be increased from time to time.

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 6 March 2012

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 (10/01/12/006/698) MDeC to replenish ICON 2 fund, give out grants

MDeC to replenish ICON 2 fund, give out grants

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) is replenishing the ICON 2 fund this year and is looking at giving out grants to deserving individuals.

Its chief executive Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said more than 200 recipients have received grants under this funding so far.

The fund can give out a minimum of RM25,000 and a maximum of RM250,000 per recipient.

"I can't tell you how much we have under this fund right now, but those with ideas and in need of funding are encouraged to apply," Badlisham said after witnessing a memorandum of understanding between GT Tower executive director Collin Ng and chairman of Mobile Monday Malaysia Janny Paul yesterday.


Badlisham said those with ideas of creating a mobile or online content via the Internet should apply for funding. He however, was mum when asked if the other grants under MDeC have been replenished too.

"We are looking at increasing our focus on new areas," he said, without elaborating further on what these new areas were.

He also said MDeC plans to garner more than RM1 billion in investments from all its MSC-status companies.

"Sixty per cent of the investments will come from the foreign sector while the rest are from domestic investments," he added.

On the MOU, he said Mobile Monday Malaysia and GTower became the world's first to sign a digital MOU on a tablet mobile device that replaced the conventional pen and paper.

With the MOU, GTower has agreed to play the role as the official venue host for Mobile Monday Malaysia monthly events at its rooftop bar, the VIEW. By June Ramlee

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 10 January 2012
Today’s Pick (10/01/12/006/696)