Today's Pick (10/04/13/60/984) SME Bank lancar dana RM1b biaya Bumiputera

SME Bank lancar dana RM1b biaya Bumiputera

Bank Perusahaan Kecil & Sederhana Malaysia Bhd (SME Bank) melancarkan Dana Pembiayaan Bumiputera (BFF) berjumlah RM1 bilion khusus untuk membiayai syarikat Bumiputera yang layak membeli perniagaan bukan teras yang dilupuskan syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC).

Dana itu adalah satu daripada empat dana utama pembangunan usahawan yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak dalam pembentangan Bajet 2013, selain Dana Pembangunan Belia, Skim Pembangunan PKS dan Dana Pembangunan Halal.

SME Bank menerima peruntukan RM2.25 bilion daripada kerajaan untuk disalurkan kepada usahawan menerusi empat dana berkenaan.

Pengarah Urusan SME Bank, Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus, berkata BFF dibuka kepada syarikat sendirian berhad berstatus Bumiputera atau mana-mana perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) yang memenuhi kriteria ditetapkan.

Beliau berkata, dana berlandaskan Syariah itu dapat membantu meningkatkan pegangan ekuiti Bumiputera dalam perniagaan sekali gus mencapai sasaran 30 peratus pegangan golongan itu dalam sektor ekonomi menjelang 2020.

Kami menjangka menyalurkan keseluruhan dana ini sebelum akhir tahun, tetapi ia bergantung kepada momentum pelan pelupusan oleh GLC, katanya pada sidang media selepas melancarkan dana itu di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Tingkat pemilikan ekuiti

Pelancarannya disempurnakan Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan, Datuk Mat Noor Nawi yang mewakili Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah. Yang turut hadir ialah Pengerusi SME Bank, Datuk Gumuri Hussain. 

Mohd Radzif turut menegaskan bahawa dengan adanya BFF, sasaran meningkatkan pemilikan ekuiti Bumiputera dalam sektor ekonomi kepada 30 peratus itu mungkin dapat dicapai lebih awal.

Terdapat banyak rancangan pelupusan (oleh GLC) yang dirancang kerajaan. Kami bersedia membantu membiayai PKS Bumiputera tempatan yang berminat membeli kepentingan itu, katanya.

Dana itu, katanya menawarkan tempoh pembayaran balik pembiayaan selama 15 tahun, dan tiada jumlah pembiayaan minimum atau maksimum yang ditetapkan kerana ia bergantung kepada nilai pelupusan sesuatu aset GLC terbabit.
Selain untuk membeli kepentingan dalam perniagaan yang dilupuskan GLC, BFF yang kini boleh didapati di SME Bank akan turut membantu PKS Bumiputera membeli ekuiti dalam syarikat yang dilupuskan Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) dan Khazanah Nasional Bhd, syarikat milik kerajaan, Perbadanan Kementerian Kewangan, GLC Negeri serta agensi lain yang berkaitan.

Untuk layak sebagai pembeli, sesebuah syarikat itu mestilah sebuah syarikat sendirian berhad berstatus Bumiputera yang berdaftar dengan Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM) serta termasuk dalam kategori PKS atau kategori lain yang ditetapkan Kementerian Kewangan.

Sesebuah syarikat itu juga mesti memiliki kemahiran keusahawanan dan pengurusan yang cekap, berkemampuan menguruskan perniagaan yang dilupuskan oleh GLC serta berkebolehan memenuhi kriteria kewangan dan strategi khusus yang ditetapkan.

Sementara itu, Ahmad Husni dalam ucapannya yang dibacakan oleh Mat Noor berkata, pelupusan kepentingan perniagaan bukan teras GLC sejak tahun lalu telah memberi kesan positif kepada pembangunan pasaran modal di Malaysia.

Source : Berita Harian

Date : 10 April 2013

Today's Pick (10/04/13/60/984)

Afternoon Highlight (09/04/13/58/756) Malaysia-Taiwan trade set to rebound

Malaysia-Taiwan trade set to rebound

TRADE and investment between Malaysia and Taiwan are expected to rebound this year, driven by improvements in the global economic conditions and the economies of both countries.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said last year bilateral trade between both countries softened due to the global economic uncertainty, while investment from Taiwan took a dive.

In 2011, Taiwan was Malaysia's fourth largest investor after the US, Japan and Singapore, ploughing in US$400 million (RM1.22 billion). The investment, however, dived to US$56 million last year.

Koh declined to give an investment target for this year but officials said it may rebound to touch US$100 million.

The minister said Taiwan has invested US$11.6 billion in Malaysia since the 1980s and it is important that both countries continue the enterprising spirit.

"Taiwan has always been known for its fighting spirit and Malaysia can learn from Taipei to strive together," Koh said here yesterday after launching the 19th World Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce semi-annual conference.

Koh represented Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the conference, which was attended by over 600 Taiwanese businessmen from all over the world.

He said Taiwan has always been strong in electrical and electronics, machinery, precision moulding and engineering, but lately it has diversified into aquaculture, furniture and food processing - including halal food.

He added that Kuala Lumpur-Taipei trade is set to strengthen further as Malaysia is the gateway to many markets in Southeast Asia and Asia.

"Malaysia is fast gaining prominence to become the operational headquarters for many firms due to its multilingual and multicultural advantage, giving it a competitive edge," said Koh. 

The World Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce has more than 40,000 members and 174 regional chambers of commerce located in 68 countries. It is aimed at encouraging collaboration among Taiwanese businesses internationally.

Source: Business Times

Date: 09 April 2013

Afternoon Highlight (09/04/13/58/756)

Today's Pick (09/04/13/59/983) WCT to build Paradigm-like malls in KL, JB

WCT to build Paradigm-like malls in KL, JB

KUALA LUMPUR: WCT Land Sdn Bhd plans to replicate the success of its iconic Paradigm Mall development at two sites in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru.

Its general manager, Ben Chong, who oversees the development of shopping malls under the group, said the company planned to put in place a similar concept at the Overseas Union Garden site in Kuala Lumpur and at an abandoned shopping mall which was acquired last year in Jalan Skudai, Johor Baru.

It was part of the firm's strategy to grow further the contribution from shopping malls which were currently under the group's property investment and management, he added.

Chong said the Paradigm Mall had, so far, contributed a pre-tax profit of between RM10 million and RM15 million to WCT Bhd. Bernama

Source: New Straits Times

Date: 09 April 213

Today's Pick (09/04/13/59/983)

Afternoon Highlight (08/04/13/ 57/755) RM10j bantu PKS Sabah, Sarawak

RM10j bantu PKS Sabah, Sarawak

SME Corp penuhi permintaan usahawan dua negeri

SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp) menyediakan peruntukan khusus sekurang-kurangnya RM10 juta kepada usahawan perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) di Sabah dan Sarawak tahun ini.

Ketua Eksekutif SME Corp, Datuk Hafsah Hashim, berkata ia bertujuan bagi memenuhi permintaan komuniti usahawan di dua negeri berkenaan yang sebelum ini meminta supaya kerajaan menyediakan peruntukan khusus kepada mereka. 

Katanya, peruntukkan itu adalah jumlah minimum dan pihaknya bersedia menambah peruntukan berkenaan jika perlu bagi memastikan sasaran membangunkan komuniti di kedua-dua negara tercapai.

“Kami di SME Corp sentiasa memastikan semua usahawan di negara ini termasuk di Pantai Timur iaitu Kelantan dan Terengganu tidak terlepas pandang supaya program yang dirangka lebih menyeluruh dan berkesan.

Peruntukan khusus

“Ketika mesyuarat yang berlangsung di Sabah dan Sarawak baru-baru ini, komuniti usahawan ini meminta kami menyediakan peruntukkan khusus kepada mereka dan kami bersetuju menyediakan minimum RM10 juta supaya ia dapat digunakan sepenuhnya,” katanya kepada BH di Kuala Lumpur, baru-baru ini.

Mengulas lanjut, Hafsah berkata, penyediaan peruntukkan itu adalah untuk meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran dengan pembelian mesin dan program pembangunan perniagaan menerusi pensijilan yang diiktiraf.

Insentif khusus

Katanya, pensijilan halal adalah antara isu penting yang perlu ditekankan kerana kebanyakan PKS di Pantai Timur itu terbabit dalam industri kecil-kecilan seperti pembuatan makanan. 

“Ada di antara mereka tidak tahu berhubung sijil halal ini dan manfaat boleh dapat jika memiliki sijil ini, maka kami perlu menggiatkan lagi usaha memberikan pemahaman secara menyeluruh,” katanya.

Usaha membangunkan komuniti PKS di Sabah dan Sarawak turut ditekankan di bawah Pelan Induk PKS 2012-2020 yang menyediakan empat insentif khusus berdasarkan persekitaran perniagaan dan geografi unik di sana.

Source : Berita Harian

Date : 8 April 2013

Afternoon Highlight (08/04/13/57/755)

Today's Pick (08/04/13/58/982) Maybank aims for higher SME loan growth this year

Maybank aims for higher SME loan growth this year

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) is targeting for its retail small and medium enterprise (SME) loan to grow between 18% and 20% this year.

Its deputy president and head of community financial services Datuk Lim Hong Tat said the segment grew about 10% last year.

“In the last three months, the annualised growth for this segment was about 18% and we expect to maintain this momentum for this year to about 18% to 20%,” he said.

For 2014, Lim said the company aimed to have a retail SME loan growth of more than 20%. The company had a soft launch of its transformation programme for retail SME banking in December last year, aimed at developing a friendlier and “lean” approach in its operating model.

“We see good traction and we are getting positive feedback. Of course, there were kinks initially but as we moved along we have managed to remove them,” Lim said in an press briefing yesterday.

Maybank also implemented a better risk assessment tool to assess and rate its customers according to their risk profile with more ease.

Lim said that the tool sped up the loan application process to between seven and eight days from about two weeks previously.

Additionally, under the new programme, Maybank offers more SME products and services such as cash management, commercial cards and insurance, aside from deposits and loans, which Lim said, provided a one-stop solution for Maybank's SME customers.

Maybank leverages on its extensive distribution network via its 400 or so branches around the country to be a one-stop shop for its SME customers.

“We have strengthened our sales team and embedded them at the key branches. SME customers can now walk into our Maybank branches for advice on their banking needs,” Lim said.

Retail SMEs are businesses that have a turnover of RM5mil and below, compared with the larger SMEs that have been defined as having turnover of RM25mil and below.

Maybank currently has about 13% market share of the retail SMEs. The bank is targeting to have a 20% market share of retail SMEs in five years' time.

Maybank has about 60% market share of the entire SME industry in Malaysia, with more than 400,000 in its SME customer base.

“As at December 2012, we lead with a commanding SME loans market share of 21.6%, a big jump from 16.4% at the start of 2010,” Lim said.

The bank's SME loans stand at about RM35bil while the retail SME segment is about RM5bil.

Source : The Star

Date : 5 April 2013

Today's Pick (08/04/13/58/982)

Afternoon Highlight (05/04//13/56/754) Matrade targets 300 brands for China trade programme

Matrade targets 300 brands for China trade programme

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) is aiming for at least 300 local brands to participate in China’s Global Purchasing Centres (GPC) programme this year.

The GPC is a special programme to promote and access brands in the key Chinese cities of Beijing, Zhangjiagang, Chongqing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang.

The programme has the support of China’s Commerce Ministry.

Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Dr Wong Lai Sum said so far, 40 qualified companies in various sectors, mostly in food and beverages, had been chosen to participate in the GPC.

“Malaysian companies are encouraged to capitalise on this new platform to tap into the huge Chinese market. They (companies) would be promoted in China for six months at no charge.”

“Among the criteria that companies need to follow are product safety, sufficient supply and acceptability. This is important as it also translates into the image of the country,” she told a press conference here after a briefing on the GPC.

Wong said the venture would not be limited to product sectors such as food and beverage, fashion and accessories, body care, household items and bird’s nest, but also extend to services, especially the franchise sector, which had huge potential in China.

This GPC initiative is one of Matrade’s strategies to contribute to the doubling of Malaysian exports to China by 2015.

Last year, Malaysia’s bilateral trade with China grew by 8% to RM180.61bil, despite the global economic slowdown. — Bernama

Source : The Star

Date : 5 April 2013

Afternoon Highlight (05/04//13/56/754)

Today's Pick (05/04/13/57/981) Companies get another channel to reach out to shareholders apart from their websites

Companies get another channel to reach out to shareholders apart from their websites

THE US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) now allows corporate disclosures on Facebook, Twitter and other social channels.

But it comes with a limitation.

The companies listed in the United States can now use Twitter, Facebook or other social media channels to communicate with shareholders, as long as they tell them upfront which outlets they would be using.

What the SEC does not want is one set of investors having an advantage if there is selective disclosure of important information. So, it has set some of the rules upfront so as to avoid unfair advantage.

By giving the go-ahead, the SEC now recognises that social media is a suitable medium for communicating with investors.

This gives companies yet another channel to reach out to shareholders apart from their websites. This decision to allow the usage of social media sites follows an investigation into whether Netflix chief executive officer (CEO) Reed Hastings had violated any rule when he posted that the service had exceeded one billion hours of video watched in a single month on his personal Facebook page last July.

Netflix, as it claims in its website, is the world's leading Internet television network with more than 33 million members in 40 countries enjoying more than a billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including the original series.

The SEC is not pursuing civil charges against Hastings, but the ruling provides clarity on the role of social media in corporate disclosures.

It is the way to go in the future and good for companies to draw people to their Facebook page or Twitter account and introduce other information such as marketing drives to them. It also allows for immediate feedback to what the disclosures are.

Shareholders will now have an opportunity to state whether they like or dislike a particular disclosure by merely clicking on the “Like” button. That's instant feedback without elaboration.

Are companies ready for that, and should Bursa Malaysia be implementing this?

If you look at it from a Gen Y perspective, then it is a resounding “yes.”

It is interesting yet tedious not just for companies but also the shareholders, hence a central depository is still in vogue.

For now, it is clear that Bursa is the depository for all corporate announcements. While it is good, it would really help for Bursa to make it mandatory for companies to summarise their announcements into one or two pages on top of the 15 to 16-page announcements that come in the Queen's English.

In this world where timely dissemination of information is key, companies are still working on old-fashioned templates.

The summarised version would help us see the big picture at a glance. And if someone wants more information, then they could read the 15 to 16-page disclosure. In the realm of social media, summaries would be perfect.

To emulate what the SEC is implementing would mean Bursa may have to take into account the Internet penetration rate in the country, because if companies were to use Twitter or Facebook, then the last thing any shareholder would want is to miss out on an announcement because there was no reliable Internet connection.
There are already some CEOs using Twitter and Facebook to communicate with their customers, with some even disclosing information beforehand. It is difficult to control, but for now, a central depository of information is still necessary, as checking through different sites can be time-consuming.

Time is of the essence in the world of share trading and nobody wants to be at a disadvantage in terms of corporate disclosures. The change is inevitable, and some day, Malaysian companies will be allowed to disclose via Twitter and Facebook. The question is: When?

Source : The Star

Date : 5 April 2013

Today's Pick (05/04/13/57/981)

Afternoon Highlight (04/04//13/55753) M'sian jewellery export to rise by 10%-20% this year from RM4.63bil in 2012

M'sian jewellery export to rise by 10%-20% this year from RM4.63bil in 2012

GEORGE TOWN: The value of Malaysia's jewellery product exports for 2013 is likely to increase by 10% to 20% over the RM4.63bil achieved in 2012, due to the stability of gold prices, which are likely to fluctuate between US$1,570 (RM4,878) and US$1,720 (RM5,344) per ounce this year.

Penang Goldsmith Association (PGA) advisor Joeson Khor said the export value achieved exceeded the RM4.5bil projection for 2012.

“The stability of gold prices fluctuating between US$1,540, the lowest in May 2012, and US$1,790 per ounce accounted for the higher volume of transaction for 2012,” he said.

“The slower pace of consumption from China in 2012 was one of the reasons why gold prices remained checked and stable, spurring higher purchases from Italy, Spain and Hong Kong.”

According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corp report for 2012, the value of Malaysia's jewellery export hit RM4.63bil, compared with RM4.22bil in 2011.

Italy bought about RM45mil worth of Malaysian-made jewellery products in 2012, compared with RM361,175 in 2011, while Hong Kong imported RM221mil worth of jewellery products from Malaysia compared with RM213mil in 2011.

“Gold prices are currently at around US$1,570 per ounce and should hit around US$1,680 or US$1,720 per ounce by year-end,” he added.

Khor said as the price of gold was still considered high, the use of silver in gold jewellery products had become popular, influencing its pricing to rise.

“For example, it is now fashionable to produce nine-karat gold jewellery with silver and other precious alloy materials rather than the conventional 18-karat gold,” he said.

The price of silver is now at US$28.40 per ounce, compared with about US$26 per ounce in June 2012.

The other precious alloy material that has seen its price going up steadily since 2008 is platinum, according to Khor.

“Platinum prices plunged to US$800 per ounce in 2008 from US$2,200 per ounce in 2007, gradually climbing to US$1,694 per ounce recently.

“Both the prices of platinum and silver are expected to increase this year, due to their growing popularity as ingredients for gold jewellery products,” he said.

On Malaysia's importation of gold jewellery, the country's purchase of overseas gold jewellery increased to RM856mil in 2012, compared with RM613mil in 2011, registering an increase of 39.7%, according to the Matrade report.

The PGA has about 600 members, of which about 10% are gold jewellery manufacturers, exporting some 90% of the country's gold jewellery.

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 4 April 2013

Afternoon Highlight (04/04//13/55753)

Today's Pick (04/04/13/56/980) Thai council collaborates in DagangHalal database

Thai council collaborates in DagangHalal database

KUALA LUMPUR: DagangHalal, an e-marketplace that showcases halal products and services, has received a shot in the arm with the introduction of the Halal Verified Engine (HVE) database to help in the certification process across the globe.

Thailand, with its US$7 billion (RM21.6 billion) halal industry, has shown interest in the standardised database.

DagangHalal Bhd yesterday inked an agreement with the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) for the HVE collaboration.
Its executive chairman Muhadzir Mohd Isa said the collaboration has enabled it to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation, especially in the database sharing of Thailand halal merchants.

"Securing 10-20 per cent of that sizeable market would be ideal," he told a media briefing yesterday.

HVE is a collaboration between DagangHalal and Jakim (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia).

It will assist the certification process of halal materials and components from overseas, with the support of the international certification bodies identified and sanctioned by Jakim.
CICOT is recognised in Thailand as the auditor of the halal certification for the domestic and international halal industry.

"We at DagangHalal aim to encourage more 'halalpreneurs' to jump on this bandwagon as it is a lucrative industry with over US$500 million of halal investment opportunities in Malaysia alone," Muhadzir said.

More than 3,000 entrepreneurs within the halal industry have benefitted from it and the number is rapidly increasing.
"We are certain that the HVE will be able to reach out to 58 countries worldwide, which will be to the benefit of the Malaysian halal players and industry."

DagangHalal is currently working with more than 56 international halal certification bodies and over 40 international trade fairs to increase its merchants' product branding exposure and B2B trade.

DagangHalal has also signed a partnership agreement with iPay88 Sdn Bhd and Mobbiexpress (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the implementation of Mobile eCommerce Aggregator services to be called DagangPay.

The global halal market is worth US$2.1 trillion and is growing by US$500 billion annually.

Source : New Straits Times

Date : 4 April 2013

Today's Pick (04/04/13/56/980)

Afternoon Highlight (03/04//13/54/752) LTAT terima kontrak RM2.1b

LTAT terima kontrak RM2.1b

1MDB beri kontrak bangun 8 tapak pemindahan pangkalan udara

1MALAYSIA Development Bhd (1MDB) memberikan kontrak bernilai RM2.1 bilion kepada Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) memajukan lapan tapak untuk pemindahan Pangkalan Udara Kuala Lumpur yang bakal dijadikan Bandar Malaysia.

LTAT akan melaksanakan pembangunan berkenaan melalui anak syarikat milik penuhnya, Perbadanan Perwira Harta Malaysia (PPHM).

PPHM akan turut membuka peluang kepada kontraktor tempatan untuk bersama memajukan tapak pemindahan itu” Azmar Talib, Ketua Eksekutif 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd.

IMDB dalam kenyataannya semalam berkata, pemindahan berkenaan membabitkan pelbagai unit Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM), Rejimen Artileri Diraja (31 RAD) dan Unit Udara Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) dari pangkalan udara di lapangan terbang lama Sungai Besi itu.

PPHM, jelasnya, akan bertindak sebagai kontraktor untuk merekabentuk dan membina kemudahan di lapan lokasi pemindahan termasuk tiga tapak baharu, iaitu pangkalan TUDM di Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan; pangkalan 31 RAD di Kajang, Selangor; serta pangkalan Unit Udara PDRM di Subang, Selangor.

Lokasi lain ialah di Subang; Kuantan, Pahang; Butterworth, Pulau Pinang; Gong Kedak, Terengganu dan Ipoh, Perak.

Tanah di Sendayan untuk pembangunan pangkalan TUDM dan di Subang untuk pangkalan Unit Udara PDRM itu dibeli oleh 1MDB baru-baru ini, katanya. 

Syarikat pembangunan strategik milik kerajaan itu berkata, ia juga akan menyumbang dana bagi menambah baik dan menaikkan taraf peralatan khusus di kemudahan berkenaan sebagai sebahagian daripada aktiviti pemindahan.

“PPHM akan turut membuka peluang kepada kontraktor tempatan untuk bersama memajukan tapak pemindahan itu,” katanya.

Kedudukan kukuh

Mengulas mengenainya, Ketua Eksekutif 1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd, Datuk Azmar Talib berkata, sebagai sebuah agensi di bawah Kementerian Pertahanan, LTAT berada pada kedudukan kukuh untuk memastikan proses pemindahan itu tidak akan menggugat keselamatan negara.

“Mereka juga amat memahami keperluan anggota keselamatan, justeru dapat memastikan kebajikan anggota keselamatan dan keluarga mereka terjamin,” katanya sambil menambah kemudahan baru itu dijadualkan siap pada September 2016.

Beliau menjelaskan, kerja pembinaan Bandar Malaysia, sebuah projek pembangunan strategik diterajui oleh 1MDB sebagai Pemaju Induk, hanya boleh dimulakan selepas kemudahan baru itu dibina dan proses pemindahan selesai.

Bagaimanapun, katanya kerja awal sudah bermula, termasuklah Pertandingan Mereka Bentuk Pelan Induk Bandar Malaysia peringkat antarabangsa yang mana 1MDB akan mengumumkan pemenangnya tidak lama lagi.

Galak gaya hidup mapan

Azmar berkata, Bandar Malaysia menyasarkan untuk menggalakkan gaya hidup mapan sebagai komponen utama pembangunannya dan akan dijadikan sebagai penanda aras bagi bandar raya masa depan di Malaysia.

Ia, katanya akan menjadi satu pembangunan bercampur yang merangkumi prinsip reka bentuk berorientasikan transit yang baik, menggalakkan kerancakan komuniti dan menyediakan ruang awam serta kemudahan asas.

Dengan transformasi itu, lapangan terbang lama Sungai Besi akan menjadi platform perubahan untuk kali ketiga dan memangkin pertumbuhan baru.

Pada 1956, ia telah berfungsi sebagai lapangan terbang antarabangsa pertama Malaysia dan membuka laluan kepada industri penerbangan, pelancongan dan hospitaliti.

Source : Berita Harian

Date : 3 April 2013

Afternoon Highlight (03/04//13/54/752)

Today's Pick (03/04/13/55/979) Malaysian companies urged to take part in Brazil's RM154bil fibre optic network

Malaysian companies urged to take part in Brazil's RM154bil fibre optic network

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corp has urged Malaysian information communication technology (ICT) companies to take advantage of Brazil's plan to install a nationwide fibre optic network estimated at US$51bil (RM154.71bil).

Brazil, through the state-owned Telecommu-nication Brasil, aims to expand the country's broadband connection with high speed networks, to allow for a high velocity broadband Internet service.

Malaysian Trade Commissioner in Sao Paolo Yusram Yusuf said the project would involve investment by the private sector, as well as the Government and was targeted for completion in four years.

“Malaysian companies should consider investing in Brazil's ICT industry by leveraging with local ICT players,” he said.

He added that participation in trade shows was a good channel for Malaysian companies to showcase their expertise and quality products, pointing out that the Brazilian Interna-tional Electrical, Energy and Automation Industry Exhibition was one of the main events to promote their products.

Interested Malaysian companies can seek more information on the export opportunities of ICT products and expertise in Brazil by contacting Matrade Sao Paolo. Bernama

Last year, Brazil imported fibre optic adapters worth over US$567mil (RM1.76bil) from China, Germany, Japan, the United States and South Korea. Bernama

Source: The Star

Date: 03 April 2013

Today's Pick (03/0134/55/979)

Afternoon Highlight (02/04/13/53/751) MDeC Partners IDC To Launch CIO Survival Guide

MDeC Partners IDC To Launch CIO Survival Guide

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- The Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), in partnership with technology market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), will launch the Chief Information Officer (CIO) survival guide programme.

In a statement Tuesday, MDeC said the programme is an effort to help Malaysian CIOs more efficiently address the challenges associated with surviving and thriving in a rapidly changing and competitive marketplace.

It said the programme will focus on helping CIOs not only cope with the rapidly changing technological landscape, but to better equip them to help service their internal customers as well as drive real value for their organisation's external customers.

MDeC said the first of the survival guide series will focus on how organisations can improve their ability to be more strategic with information technology (IT) investments so as to ensure that IT strategy is better aligned to business strategies and goals.

MDeC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said the CIO survival guide is an ideal opportunity for CIOs to gain knowledge on the various issues and challenges in order to succeed.

He said the first in the series is especially relevant and will focus on best practices in respective industries.

Meanwhile, Simon Piff, Associate Vice-President, Enterprise Infrastructure, IDC Asia/Pacific, said the challenge facing most CIOs is that the true value of the work they do only manifests itself in the efficient creation, capture and access by the business of the data that underlies all IT.

However, he said, in order to provide efficient access to the information that lies within the data, CIOs have to focus their energies on infrastructure that, to many business users, is an abstract layer away from what the business perceives as important.

It said selected Malaysian CIOs will work with MDeC and IDC to participate in a summit in June.

"Participants at this year's summit entitled 'The Information Enabled Enterprise' will be given the chance to benchmark their competencies against their peers across Malaysian industries as well as to interact with other IT leaders in order to gain insights into some of the available best practices," it added.

Source: Bernama

Date: 02 April 2013

Afternoon Highlight (02/04/13/53/751)