Green tech body launches, headed by PM
A National Green Technology Advisory Council, to be chaired by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak, is to be launched to speed up the development of green technology in the country. Deputy Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin, said the government would set up a RM1.5 billion fund to provide soft loans to companies that supply and utilise green technology. “We will promote creation of greater awareness of business opportunities in green technologies and focus on training and educational programmes as well as considering granting incentives for companies that use green technology,”...
November 26th, 2009
Government may encourage company mergers
The Malaysian government may consider encouraging mergers between companies listed on Bursa Malaysia to make the exchange more attractive to foreign investors. Prime Minister Najib Razak said that he would discuss the issue with the Executive Committee of National Economic Action Council and look at the possible implications of such a move.
November 26th, 2009
Malaysian economy to grow 6 percent, says analyst
The Malaysian economy is expected to record six per cent growth next year driven by rising consumer consumption, said global financial services company, UBS. Investment Research Managing Director and Deputy Head of Global Economics Paul Donovan said that Malaysia would emerge as one of the leaders of growth in Southeast Asia next year. “It can be achieved with the government’s continuous support, good external and consumer demand,” he told reporters. “Malaysia will be able to rebound vigorously next year because problems are confined to Europe and the United States and will...
November 26th, 2009
Ministry moots 1Malaysia Clubs in schools
The Education Ministry is considering the creation of 1Malaysia Clubs in schools to help pupils understand the concept, says Deputy Minister, Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi. He said 1Malaysia Clubs could be useful during co-curriculum activities and would enable the students to appreciate the constitution and human rights.
November 26th, 2009
More needs to be done to attract FDI, says Najib
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak says that foreign investors need to be made aware of the country’s transformation and reforms or Malaysia risks being overshadowed by China and other emerging economies. Najib told reporters covering his visit to New York that American investors and business leaders “like the Malaysian story, but they want us to continue our reform measures because they say that the outcome is very important.” And he added: “They would like to see more Malaysian companies with big market capitalisation. They’re not keen on small companies. So, size in terms...
November 26th, 2009
Universities to be centres of excellence for sport
The Higher Education Ministry has identified eight universities which could be developed as centres of excellence for sport. Deputy minister Dr Hou Kok Chung said that sports development had not been given enough attention in universities and that the situation had to change. Among the universities the Ministry has identified as potential centres for excellence are Universiti Putra Malaysia as a centre for rugby, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for cricket, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for rowing and Universiti Teknologi Mara for football. The Minister said these centres would include talent scouting,...
November 26th, 2009
MIDF wants more focus on Malaysian SMEs
Malaysian Industrial Development Finance (MIDF) says it wants to see more focus on the development of small and medium sized enterprises. “We think the development and the growth of this sector is important as Malaysia moves towards a high-income economic model,” says Group Managing Director Mohammed Najib Abdullah. He added that RM350 million has been allocated under next year’s budget for SME development, including RM200 million in loans. “MIDF will continue to facilitate the disbursement of the RM200 million in 2010 to various SMEs. We do understand that the economy is going...
November 26th, 2009
Sime Darby to expand Chinese operations
The world’s biggest palm oil company, Sime Darby says that it plans to expand its operations in China. “We will continue to invest for the future as we explore growth opportunities worldwide, with particular emphasis on expanding our operations in China,” says group chief executive, Ahmad Zubir Murshid. The group saw a 21 percent drop in first-quarter net profit due to weaker crude palm oil prices but Murshid added, “We had shown a high degree of resilience in the face of an extremely difficult business environment in the past one year and have emerged in a much stronger position this...
November 26th, 2009
Anti profiteering bill to be introduced next year
The Malaysian government is drafting a bill to introduce anti-profiteering legislation, says Deputy Domestic Trade, Consumerism and Cooperatives Minister Lian Hoe. “Through the legislation, we aim to rein in irresponsible traders who try to engage in profiteering during festive seasons and in times of crisis – like during the influenza A(H1N1) outbreak. There were irresponsible people who were selling face masks that cost between 30 sen and 50 sen a piece up to RM3 or even RM5 a piece,” she said. The bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament next year.
November 26th, 2009
Air Asia increases flights to India
Malaysia’s low cost airline, Air Asia, is to add new routes to nine Indian cities to meet growing demand, it says. The airline will introduce flights between Kochi, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Kuala Lumpur this year and will add Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi next year.
November 26th, 2009
 |
 |
