Malaysia is currently working on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, after initial negotiations between the two parties reached an impasse about 12 years ago.

Malaysia-EU FTA back on the table, says Zafrul

Malaysia's trade with China rose 3% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q2024), following a better-than-expected gross domestic product (GDP) growth seen in the world's second largest economy during the quarter, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Malaysia-China trade improved amid republic's better-than-expected 1Q growth, says Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): A meeting with 70 financial fund investors and corporate members at the recently concluded joint investors meeting in London has touched on the Madani government’s immediate action to stimulate strategic investment in important technologies, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

MOF: Govt to establish high-level facilitation platform to oversee potential, approved strategic investments

Thailand's 500 billion baht (RM64.6 billion) handout scheme aims to reach the wider population and boost the overall economy through stimulus, a finance official said on Wednesday, responding to central bank recommendations it be targeted towards the poor.

Thailand's US$13.5b handout aims to boost overall economy, not geared to poor, official says

COLOMBO (April 24): Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday for a brief state visit aimed at strengthening ties, during which he will also open a US$514-million hydropower project.

Iran's Raisi arrives in Sri Lanka to foster ties, open hydropower project

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, holds a cautious but positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia over 2024, as the economic recovery feeds through to strong real consumer spending growth over the full year.

BMI holds a cautious but positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia over 2024

KOTA KINABALU (April 23): The Kibing Group has successfully exported its inaugural batch of solar glass manufactured in Sabah, totalling 672 tonnes, to Cambodia last Sunday (April 21).

Kibing Group exports 672 tonnes of Sabah’s first batch of solar glass to Cambodia

KOTA KINABALU (April 23): A total compensation of RM651 million has been paid to 1,591 landowners and stakeholders involved in the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah.

RM651 mil compensation paid to landowners involved in Sabah’s Pan Borneo Highway

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): The Iskandar Regional Development Authority’s (IRDA) target to achieve cumulative investments of RM636 billion by 2030 is among Iskandar Malaysia’s strategies to assist the country in becoming one of the top 30 global economies and the top 12 in global competitiveness.

Iskandar Malaysia’s RM636b investment target to help propel country into world's top 30 economies — PM

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): The government’s moves to implement targeted subsidies and review the civil service salary scheme are based on the principle of prioritising the interests of the people and the nation, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi: Govt’s moves on targeted subsidies, civil service new salary scheme prioritise nation’s interest

(April 23): Singapore’s core inflation eased in March on lower food prices and cost of services, with the disinflationary trend expected to continue, barring any supply shocks from geopolitical tensions.

Singapore’s inflation cools in March as central bank retains 2024 forecast

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): Malaysia has emerged as the most significant country within Asean for businesses to venture into, as shown by the UOB Business Outlook Study 2024 (SMEs & Large Enterprises).

Malaysia emerges as prime destination for Asean biz expansion — UOB study

Malaysia still has the advantages for the “China plus one” (China+1) strategy, despite facing rising competition from its neighbouring countries, according to the Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).

Malaysia still front runner for China+1 strategy despite rising competition from regional countries, says SERC

The World Bank has kept its 2024 economic growth outlook for Malaysia at 4.3%, though it sees a potential upside coming from higher oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

World Bank keeps 4.3% forecast for Malaysia's economic growth, sees higher oil prices a possible upside

Cocoa resumed gains in New York, with prices the most volatile in almost five decades amid uncertainty over a historic crunch and as traders pull out of the market.

Cocoa price swings are the craziest since the 1970s

Farm Price’s managing director Dr Lawrence Tiong Lee Chian says that it has plans to expand in Singapore given the growing demand.

NEWS: Farm Price eyes S’pore expansion

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Construction outfit Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd has bagged a RM252.26 million contract from WCT Holdings Bhd to undertake Phase 1 of a two-phase development of two blocks of serviced apartments in Johor Bahru.

Fajarbaru Builder bags RM252m construction job in Johor Bahru from WCT

Revenues at Italian luxury group Prada rose 16% at constant exchange rates in the first quarter, driven by a jump in Miu Miu sales and continued growth in Asia.

Prada's sales up 16% in first quarter as Miu Miu shines

Security at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here is set to be enhanced with the use of e-scooters.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the use of the micromobility vehicles would speed up police patrols, thus increasing public confidence in security at the country's main entry point.

Security at KLIA terminals set to be enhanced with use of e-scooters, says Selangor MB

The yen fell on Wednesday to its weakest levels against the dollar since 1990, with markets alert to any signs of intervention from the Japanese authorities to prop up their currency.

Japan's yen hits 155 per dollar, weakest since 1990

Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd said it has completed the drilling of the Bunga Aster-1 exploration well and is expecting its first oil production to begin in May.

Hibiscus Petroleum completes drilling at Bunga Aster-1 well, first oil production set for next month

Suria KLCC's established reputation as a premier shopping destination has set it apart from other malls in the same vicinity, which provided it an effective buffer against new competition, according to KLCCP Stapled Group chief executive officer Datuk Md Shah Mahmood.

Suria KLCC shrugs off competition from new malls, with occupancy rate hitting 98% at end-2023

Malaysian automotive companies may see earnings decline this year as sales dip and operating costs rise amid the emergence of several Chinese brands offering attractive pricing, analysts cautioned.

M'sian automakers expected to feel pinch from lower sales, higher costs, rise of Chinese OEMs

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Sapura Industrial Bhd plans to collaborate with Mili Tech Sdn Bhd on feasibility studies for electrified vehicle (EV) products and potentially establish a joint venture (JV) business in Malaysia.

Sapura Industrial inks MOU with Mili Tech for feasibility studies on EVs

The Edge covers former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial live.

Najib's 1MDB-Tanore trial live reporting (April 24)

Farm Price Holdings Bhd on Wednesday began taking orders from investors for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market to raise up to RM32.4 million.

The IPO, priced at 24 sen apiece, involves a public issuance of 102 million new shares as well as an offer for sale of 33 million existing shares, according to its prospectus. All in, the listing offers investors a 30% stake in the Johor-based wholesalers and vegetables distributor.

Farm Price starts taking orders for ACE Market IPO to raise up to RM24.48 mil

Capital A Bhd’s unit AirAsia Consulting Sdn Bhd is the entity that is bidding to acquire SriLankan Airlines, and if it materialises, will raise its own capital for the acquisition, according to chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

AirAsia Consulting, not AirAsia, is bidding for SriLankan Airlines, says Fernandes

Malaysian automotive companies may see earnings decline this year as sales dip and operating costs rise amid the emergence of several Chinese brands offering attractive pricing, analysts cautioned.

With Malaysia’s 5G outdoor coverage having reached the 80% target for coverage of populated areas (CoPA) at the end of 2023 and after the signing of the share subscription agreements (SSAs) by five mobile network operators (MNOs) on Dec 1, 2023, what’s next for the next stage of 5G deployment in Malaysia?

What’s next for 5G deployment in Malaysia?

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, the locally-listed unit of the Danish brewer, confirmed the price increases for its beer products starting this month.

Carlsberg Malaysia raises prices of beers to preserve margin

JASMINE Loo was the third individual wanted by the authorities, on the Interpol Red Notice list, &nbsp;to return to Malaysia.

More than 10 years on from the first signs of trouble at 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), there are still a number of individuals who remain on the run, sought ...

Most yet to return to face the music

One of the world’s busiest land checkpoints is set to become less congested as Malaysians travelling to Singapore on factory buses will be able to clear immigration through QR code.

Malaysia to start using QR code at checkpoints with Singapore, report says

E-government services provider MyEG Services Bhd has inked an agreement to collaborate on the launch of a virtual asset fund or Hong Kong virtual assets exchange-traded fund (ETF) products.

MyEG inks partnership to launch Hong Kong virtual assets

Bursa Malaysia remained in positive territory at the midday break on Wednesday, supported by continuous buying in selected heavyweight counters, especially in the telecommunications and media sectors.&nbsp;

Telco shares lift Bursa higher at midday

Capital A Bhd’s board of directors has decided to extend Tan Sri Tony Fernandes'&nbsp;tenure as the chief executive officer for another five years, and as a strategic adviser to the airlines business, which is poised to be merged into AirAsia X Bhd.

Fernandes to be CEO of Capital A for another five years

French electronic manufacturing service firm eolane has launched a new manufacturing plant in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah involving an investment of €8.7 million (RM45 million) for the first phase of the project.

France-based eolane launches RM45 mil facility in Kulim Hi-Tech Park

Shares of DXN Holdings Bhd surged on Wednesday to its highest in more than a month as analysts continued to urge investors to buy the stock after the health supplement company’s fourth-quarter (4Q) results.

DXN climbs over one-month high, analysts see positive outlook

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer (MACC IO) probing Datuk Seri Najib Razak in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debacle never asked the former prime minister if he had instructed for the controversial transfer of US$700 million to a company linked to fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), the court heard on Wednesday.

MACC officer did not ask Najib if he instructed controversial transfer of US$700m to Good Star

Chin Hin Group Property Bhd said on Wednesday it had signed two agreements to develop two separate residential projects in Kuala Lumpur worth RM1.08 billion in combined gross development value (GDV).&nbsp;

Chin Hin Group Property to develop two residential projects worth RM1.08 bil

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has revoked the air operator's certificate (AOC) of cash-strapped low-cost carrier MYAirline Sdn Bhd, effective April 15, after it failed to find a new investor before the April 14 deadline.

MYAirline loses licence to operate as commercial airline as CAAM revokes AOC

Gold’s record-setting rally this year has puzzled market watchers, as bullion has roared higher, despite headwinds that should have held it back. With prices sagging this week, the explanation may lie in China.

Gold’s record-setting rally may have its roots in Chinese frenzy

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Dataprep Holdings Bhd said on Wednesday that Tan Sri Muhammad Ikmal Opat Abdullah has ceased to be the substantial shareholder in the IT products and services company.

Muhammad Ikmal of Widad ceases to be Dataprep’s substantial shareholder as shares sale continues

Haily Group Bhd shares continued their uptrend on Wednesday to a near all-time high, after the construction outfit won a RM109.5 million contract for terrace houses in Pontian, Johor.

Haily shares near all-time high after securing RM109.5m housing job

Bursa Malaysia closed at a two-year high on Wednesday with the key index rising 0.63%, driven by a positive outlook on the local bourse and amid an upbeat performance by regional peers.&nbsp;

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