Small businesses bullish about economy – survey
A survey carried out by global banking group HSBC says that Malaysia’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are confident about the local economy and the prospects for their businesses in the next six months. The banks says that Malaysian SMEs’ confidence had risen to pre-2008 crisis levels, climbing 24 points from 84 (in the second quarter of 2009) to 108 (in the fourth quarter) – on a par with Hong Kong. HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd managing director (commercial banking) David Morton said, “This is good as it not only means that they are confident that their local economy...
March 1st, 2010
Ice hockey federation targets Malaysia
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) says that it is committed to developing the sport in Asian countries including Malaysia. The organisation has already opened an office in Tokyo and the sport is growing in China. Rene Fasel, head of the Federation says, “It is not easy growing the game in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Korea but the people can grow a passion for the sport.”
March 1st, 2010
Malaysia’s growth better than expected in Q4
Malaysia’s economic performance was better than expected in the fourth quarter of 2009, says Prime Minister Najib Razak. Growth of 4.5 percent in the period October to December 2009 was driven by higher exports and more domestic demand. “The worst is over and the economy could expand 4 percent to 5 percent this year. We are quite bullish. The Malaysian economy has turned around and recovered from the implications of the global crisis,” the Prime Minister told reporters. In addition, Malaysia’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, a report from the...
March 1st, 2010
Malaysian IT sector to grow 12 percent by 2014
The Malaysian IT market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12 percent over the next four years according to new market research. The Malaysia Information Technology Report Q1 2010 says that IT spending is expected to grow to around $4.5 billion in 2010 up from $4.2 billion in 2009 as demand begins to recover. The report says that key sectors will include government, telecoms, finance and Islamic banking. It adds that the IT services sector will also grow as the Malaysian government begins to implement plans to boost the country’s role as a regional services hub. There is...
March 1st, 2010
Malaysia needs to focus on R&D
Malaysia needs to focus more on research and development (R&D) in science, technology and innovation (STI) if the country is to reach a higher level of development says Datuk Hong Lee Pee president of the Asean Academy of Engineering and Technology. He said that science, technology and innovation supports all kinds of other industries and could help change Malaysia’s economy into one based on knowledge. However, he warned that for that to happen Malaysia will have to train its people.
March 1st, 2010
Malaysia targets high spending HK tourists
Tourism Malaysia is strongly targeting high spending, upmarket tourists from Hong Kong with a number of promotional campaigns. “The average Hong Kong tourist thinks of food, golf, diving and shopping when they think about any destination. Malaysia offers all of these attributes,” says Zaliha Zainuddin, Tourism Malaysia’s Hong Kong-based director. Connections between Hong Kong and Malaysia have been increased with a number of airlines including Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Cathay Pacific laying on extra flights.
March 1st, 2010
Good prospects for Malaysian tourism – report
A report by global research firm, Business Monitor International, is bullish about the future prospects for Malaysia’s tourism industry. It says that the industry continues to benefit from strong government support and offers a range of options from beach holidays to meetings, conferences and exhibitions. The report adds that visitor numbers to Malaysia outstripped expectations in 2009 and that October and November were particularly strong months. In addition it says that efforts to attract more Muslim tourists from the Middle East are bearing fruit. In November 2009, Tourism Malaysia reported...
March 1st, 2010
Malaysia & Indonesia talks – defence industries
Malaysia is in talks with Indonesia about possible co-operation on developing both nations’ defence industries. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, “Indonesia and Malaysia have their respective expertise in the defence industry, thus, if this cooperation can be achieved and later expanded to the Asean nations, it will be a good start for the asset industry and the defence equipment industry.” And he added, “We are still discussing how to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the defence industry pertaining to armoured vehicles, Maintenance Repair and for the assets...
February 24th, 2010
Malaysia leader in Apac contact centres
Malaysia’s multi-lingual population is driving the country’s growth in the contact centre market in Asia Pacific (Apac) according to Interactive Intelligence Inc, a global business telecoms provider. It says that Malaysia is on track to become the market leader in the region with an estimated market size of RM94 million this year and that Malaysia’s contact – or call centre – business is expected to grow 20 percent to 25 percent in 2010. Last year, Malaysia’s contact centre market contributed 13 percent to 15 percent to the Apac market, making it one of the leading country contributors...
February 24th, 2010
Malaysia to expand broadband to rural areas
Malaysia plans to expand mobile broadband to rural areas says Information Communication and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. The Minister said that by August, broadband coverage would be expanded nationwide and that community internet clubs would be set up in villages across the country . ”We will carry this out in collaboration with Telekom Malaysia and several telcos,” he said.
February 24th, 2010
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