There needs to be better engagement between the creative economy and those who fund it if the arts in Malaysia are to grow in an effective and meaningful way, says Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, the founder of the Cultural Economy Development Agency (Cendana).

Facilitating conversations between the arts and business

Failure is part and parcel of the entrepreneurial game, but not many entrepreneurs are able to bounce back after they have experienced their first defeat, a case of “once bitten, twice shy”.

Jimmy Lee, co-founder and CEO of Foodie Box Group and an angel investor, is not one of those peo...

Entrepreneurship: The price of integrity, the value of kindness

Here’s a funny farming fable: An officer from the income tax department pays a visit to an old farmer in a rural community. “Show me the list of all your employees and how much you pay them,” he demands.

“There are four employees,” the farmer says. “One is a plant picker and cleaner; he...

Econ 4.0: Why focus on farming?

Vaults. These expansive metal chambers are arguably the most recognisable trope of any self-respecting crime caper. And yet, for all the intrigue their imagery stirs, big screen bank vaults do not exactly inspire a sense of security as they seem to be constantly broken into with unerring ease.

Family Businesses: Safekeeping keepsakes

The future of agriculture will not only involve farmers but technology players as well. This will be essential especially in urban areas, where space is scarce but demand for fresh food is high.

To accelerate this revolution, Sunway Innovation Labs (iLabs) is launching Sunway FutureX Fa...

Agritech: Creating an innovative ecosystem for urban farming

In March, Aemulus Holdings Bhd was at its lowest ebb. The company, which specialises in semiconductor testing equipment, had a problem collecting payments from its customers in China and it was running out of money.

“Back in November 2019, the first thing I told my chief financial offic...

Cover Story: Coming out of the dark

The Musang King durian had its genome sequenced for the first time in 2017. The findings, which also identified the genes responsible for the fruit’s pungent odour, were published in a leading international journal and covered by news portals globally.

The research was done out of Singa...

Cutting Edge: Genome sequencing for all

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is endless. Inference Tech Sdn Bhd CEO Izad Che Muda discovered this during his time as chief technology officer of Aerodyne Group, a provider of drone-based enterprise solutions.

This is because at Aerodyne, he was...

AI: Using AI to address worker safety, potholes and prescriptions

The movement control order (MCO) saw a lot of people losing their jobs. The publishing industry was not spared. But what Sean Teoh, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Monster Alliance Bhd (MOPress), realised was that while a lot of companies were moving to digital, publishing platforms were looking for content other than articles.

MOPress to diversify into voice and video content to suit present demand

Fintech firm Juris Technologies (JurisTech) has acquired personal finance company Intelligent Money Sdn Bhd (iMoney) in an effort to develop end-to-end solutions for its enterprise clients.

JurisTech acquires financial comparison site iMoney

Here is an atypical Covid-19 story. After finishing online classes for a bunch of business management students, the professor announced on the day of the exam: “Although I did not see you in person, I believe you attended my online classes regularly, took notes diligently and worked on projects h...

Econ 4.0: What hath Covid-19 wrought?

The once controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) could be making a return. Multiple sources have informed Enterprise that the tax regime could be announced during the tabling of Budget 2021, slated for November.

“In fact, the reason the announcement was moved from its traditional Oct...

Taxation: GST on the horizon?

Like most companies linked to the tourism industry, Flexiroam Sdn Bhd — a company founded in Malaysia and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange that provides mobile roaming packages for travellers in 150 countries — saw its business decimated in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, when trav...

Entrepreneurship: Love and connection

In the past, the customising or personalising of products was reserved for high-end luxury brands. Having your name engraved on a journal or lipstick, along with a handmade label, represented prestige and class.

However, general manufacturing costs have gone down due to economies of sca...

Cover Story: Getting personal

A Philippine freight railway project may be built with the support of the US and Japan, an official in charge of it said, as Manila seeks alternative financing deals after dropping funding talks with China.

Philippines wants US, Japan to take over rail deal eyed by China

The World Bank on Friday said that 11 countries have pledged to contribute over US$11 billion (RM52.62 billion) to new hybrid capital and portfolio guarantee instruments designed to expand the bank's financing capacity by US$70 billion over a decade to tackle climate change, pandemics and other global challenges.

World Bank wins US$11b in pledges to boost lending for climate, global crises

Shareholders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed this week on the importance of addressing challenges faced by low-income countries, many of which are facing unsustainable debt burdens, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday.

IMF concerned about debt, fiscal challenges facing low-income countries

The ringgit is likely to trade in the same range of around 4.78 against the US dollar next week, as the situation in the Middle East will continue to be under scrutiny by investors, said an analyst.

Ringgit likely to trade around 4.78 versus greenback next week

Attention this week will be on the March inflation rate, with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) slated to put out Consumer Price Index (CPI) — the key gauge for inflation — data on Thursday.

Inflation edged up by a higher-than-expected 1.8% i...

The Week Ahead: Eyes on March inflation, US 1Q GDP and tech earnings

Persistent inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates were cited as key risks to financial stability in the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest survey of US central bank contacts, with geopolitical troubles and the 2024 US presidential election also mentioned as "a potentially significant source of shocks".

Fed survey cites inflation, US election as key financial stability risks

Former inspector general of police Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar died at 2.15am on Saturday. He was 85.

Former IGP Tun Hanif Omar passes away

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 closed sharply lower on Friday and Treasury yields dipped as investors juggled lacklustre earnings, uncertainties surrounding central bank policy and geopolitical strife.

Nasdaq tumbles, Treasuries dip amid earnings, geopolitical crosscurrents

Oil settled slightly higher on Friday, but posted a weekly decline, after Iran played down a reported Israeli attack on its soil, a sign that an escalation of hostilities in the Middle East might be avoided.

Oil settles slightly higher as Iran plays down reported Israeli attack

The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 ended lower on Friday as Netflix shares weighed, but American Express (AmEx) kept the Dow afloat after quarterly earnings from both companies, while growing pessimism that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would cut interest rates soon also dented sentiment.

Nasdaq, S&P tumble as Netflix, chip stocks drag; AmEx boosts Dow

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday:

Shares of Sapura Energy Bhd have been suspended from trading, pending a material announcement. The suspension took effect from 2.30pm onwa...

Sapura Energy, PIE Industrial, LSH Capital, YX, Westports, Yinson, Sime Darby Property, MISC, Meta Bright, EG Industries, Hextar, Uzma, Nova MSC and Iconic Worldwide

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): M&amp;A Equity Holdings Bhd announced that an individual by the name of Siti Nur Aishah Ishak has become a substantial shareholder of the stockbroking firm, after acquiring a 0.13% stake in the company.

Siti Nur Aishah emerges as substantial shareholder of M&A Equity

Former inspector general of police Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar died at 2.15am on Saturday. He was 85.

The mandatory general offer (MGO) for the remaining 34.1% stake in Pan Malaysia Holdings Bhd (PM Holdings), launched by property developer Exsim Group's founders, the Lim brothers, concluded on Friday with acceptances for only 35,997 shares received.

No change in Lim brothers' stake as Pan Malaysia Holdings' MGO concludes

The long-awaited Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem) has finally been introduced, along with guidelines on cross-border electricity sales announced by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) last Monday for exports of green electricity from Malaysia to Singapore and Thailand.

Enegem: Malaysia edges closer to RE exports

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Kota Kinabalu on Friday night for a one-day working visit to the state.

Anwar's plane landed at Terminal Two, Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.40pm, where he was greeted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Anwar arrives in Kota Kinabalu for one-day visit

All travellers entering or leaving Singapore carrying Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) that are valued more than S$20,000 or its equivalent in a foreign currency, must submit the necessary declarations electronically with effect from May 13.

Travellers to and from Singapore carrying over S$20,000 must submit online declaration from May 13

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Ten individuals suspected of being involved in the case related to an&nbsp;Israeli man who was charged with possessing bullets and trafficking&nbsp;guns, were rearrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Israeli man’s case: 10 individuals rearrested under Sosma

The Nasdaq and the S&amp;P 500 ended lower on Friday as Netflix shares weighed, but American Express (AmEx) kept the Dow afloat after quarterly earnings from both companies, while growing pessimism that the Federal Reserve (Fed) would cut interest rates soon also dented sentiment.

Israel's apparent strike on Iran after days of vacillation was small and appeared calibrated to dial back risks of a major war, even if the sheer fact it happened at all shattered a taboo of direct attacks that Tehran broke days earlier.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to last Saturday's missile and drones from Iran, but held back at the last-minute, three sources with knowledge of the situation said.

Israel's Iran attack carefully calibrated after internal splits, US pressure

CIMB Thai Bank PCL’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) dropped 24.6% year-on-year to 626.1 million baht from 830.1 million baht, as it reported lower operating income and higher expenses. &nbsp;

The group recorded an 8.4% drop in operating income and an 11.8% increase in operating expenses. The effects of these were partially offset by a 36.9% decline in expected credit loss, according to CIMB Thai president and chief executive officer Paul Wong Chee Kin in a statement. CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has a 94.83% interest in CIMB Thai.

CIMB Thai's 1Q earnings drop 24.6% as operating income falls while opex climbs

Fitters Diversified Bhd has landed a subcontract worth RM26.1 million from a unit of IJM Corp Bhd for fire protection services at the compound of a four-storey logistics hub, including its parking and ancillary buildings, in Shah Alam, Selangor.

Fitters Diversified bags RM26.1 mil fire protection services job

HPP Holdings Berhad slipped into the red in the third quarter ended February 29, 2024 (3QFY2024) for the first time since its listing on the ACE market in January 2021, mainly due to commission payments of RM520,000 and a one-time compensation payment of RM400,000 million to foreign workers, in line with the group's adherence to its zero recruitment fee policy.

It posted a net loss of RM62,200 in 3QFY2024 compared to a net profit of RM1.53 million in the previous corresponding quarter, resulting in a loss per share of 0.16 sen for 3QFY2024 compared to earnings per share of 0.39 sen for 4QFY2023.

HPP Holdings posts first-ever quarterly loss of RM62,200 since listing

Parties in the Unity Government have their methods to ensure a win in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election next month, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said this was discussed at the Unity Government secretariat meeting on Wednesday.

Unity Govt parties have ways to ensure victory in Kuala Kubu Baharu polls — Ahmad Zahid

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) must tread cautiously in raising interest rates, as some indicators of inflation expectations remain short of its 2% target, the International Monetary Fund's Japan mission chief Nada Choueiri said on Friday.

IMF urges Bank of Japan to tread cautiously in raising interest rates

Attention this week will be on the March inflation rate, with the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) slated to put out Consumer Price Index (CPI) — the key gauge for inflation — data on Thursday.

Inflation edged up by a higher-than-expected 1.8% i...

(April 19):&nbsp;Oyo Hotels is in talks to raise up to US$450 million via dollar bonds, a person familiar with the matter said, as the once-high-flying Indian startup seeks to replace an existing high-cost loan amid delays in its stock-market debut.

Softbank-backed Oyo eyes US$450 mil bond sale for refinancing

The ringgit is likely to trade in the same range of around 4.78 against the US dollar next week, as the situation in the Middle East will continue to be under scrutiny by investors, said an analyst.

Persistent inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates were cited as key risks to financial stability in the Federal Reserve's (Fed) latest survey of US central bank contacts, with geopolitical troubles and the 2024 US presidential election also mentioned as "a potentially significant source of shocks".

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