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Month: March 2025

Loob brings Tealive to Thailand

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Fresh from announcing the entry of Tealive into the enormous Indian market three weeks ago, Loob Holding Sdn Bhd (Loob) has revealed plans to open 80 outlets in Thailand over the next decade.

Founder and CEO Bryan Loo said it has chosen a leading local food and beverage player, Restaurants Development Co. Ltd (RD), to be its Master Franchisee. RD currently operates over 300 Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets in Thailand.

RD also happens to be a subsidiary of Devyani International Limited (DIL) of India which is the Master Franchisee for Tealive in India.

In this breakthrough collaboration with DIL and RD, Loob has made India and Thailand the 9th and 10th overseas markets for Tealive, the top regional lifestyle tea brand and home-grown flagship of Loob.
Loo expressed confidence that RD’s extensive network and industry expertise will provide a strong foundation for Tealive’s growth in Thailand.

“Tealive, known for always offering more than tea, will introduce its lifestyle tea concept to Thailand, complementing the country’s rich tea culture with additional choices of handcrafted beverages like coffee, premium chocolate and fruit smoothies as well as Tealive’s famous snacks,” he said.

“Our Thai partner is already present in hundreds of locations across the country, and Tealive will leverage this from the start. Actual store locations are still being finalised and, together, we aim for 80 outlets in 10 years.”

Reflecting similarly strong confidence in the collaboration, RD CEO Andrew Norton said: “We look forward to work closely with Loob to bring Tealive’s dynamic and contemporary tea experience to Thai consumers. With our deep understanding of the breadth and depth of the local market and Tealive’s innovative product offerings, we believe this partnership will redefine how tea is enjoyed in Thailand.”

Adding on, Loo said Tealive’s growth approach was centred on its strategic scalability. “Our priority is to adapt and expand efficiently by working closely with our local partner, ensuring that our brand resonates with Thai consumers while maintaining our commitment to quality and innovation.”

With a strong presence of over 950 outlets in various regions, including Southeast Asia, Mauritius, Canada and soon in the Middle East and India, Tealive is now ready to establish itself in a country with strong local tea culture. Thailand’s vibrant tea market, predominantly shaped by local players, presents an exciting opportunity for Tealive to introduce new and modernised beverage options tailored to evolving consumer tastes.

Liberty General Insurance supports National Kidney Foundation

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Liberty General Insurance (Liberty) has contributed over RM50,000 from its zakat wakalah funds to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). This contribution is aimed at supporting healthcare initiatives for underserved communities in Malaysia, particularly in making dialysis treatments more affordable and accessible for lower-income patients.

The funds will assist NKF in acquiring essential medical equipment, including a far infrared therapy machine and a wireless handheld ultrasound imaging system, which are vital tools for enhancing patient care.

With the rise of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Malaysia, where over five million individuals are affected and yet only 5% are aware of their condition, this contribution seeks to help ease a significant healthcare challenge. The Ministry of Health estimated that over 106,000 individuals will require dialysis by 2040 if the current trends continue. Through this support, Liberty hopes to assist NKF in its efforts to reach vulnerable communities and promote early detection and timely intervention.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to enhancing the quality of healthcare for Malaysians, especially those from underserved communities,” said Puneet Pasricha (Pasha), Chief Executive Officer of Liberty General Insurance Berhad.” This collaboration with NKF aims to support their efforts in providing essential healthcare to those in need, underscoring Liberty’s commitment to social responsibility.”

The Zakat Wakalah allocation is specifically designated for procuring medical equipment for NKF, which will directly aid in providing subsidized dialysis treatments to low-income households. This initiative not only supports NKF’s mission but also reflects Liberty’s on-going commitment to help ease healthcare disparities and foster sustainable change in the underserved communities.

As a one-stop national resource centre for all kidney-related matters, NKF plays a vital role in addressing healthcare disparities by providing affordable treatment options for the lower-income patients who cannot afford the high costs of dialysis at private facilities. Many beneficiaries face significant financial hardships, making access to quality medical care a critical lifeline. By contributing to NKF’s equipment needs, Liberty supports the foundation’s mission to continue its impactful work and positively transform countless lives.

This initiative aligns with Liberty’s overarching CSR strategy, which focuses on fostering sustainable and positive change within society. Through this collaboration, Liberty aims to ease the healthcare challenges faced by underserved patients, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and a healthier Malaysia. To read more about Liberty, you may visit its website at www.libertyinsurance.com.my.

Medini Net Zero Carbon CBD (NZCC) receives 5 Diamonds recognition

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Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) has been awarded with the 5 Diamonds recognition for the highly anticipated Net Zero Carbon Central Business District (NZCC) within Medini Innopolis masterplan, in Iskandar Puteri, Johor at the Low Carbon Cities 2030 Challenge (LCC2030C) awards this week.

Together with it, IIB received two other diamond recognitions:

  • Medini Net Zero Central Business District (NZCC) – 5 Diamond Recognition
  • Menara IIB (Medini 9) – 5 Diamond Recognition
  • EduCity Complex 1 – 2 Diamond Recognition

Organised by the Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the awards were presented by YB Tuan Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, during a ceremony held at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

The LCC2030C Challenge is a national initiative launched in 2019, aimed at accelerating Malaysia’s transition towards low-carbon cities. With urban areas contributing over 70% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the challenge encourages the adoption of low carbon strategies, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, sustainable mobility, and smart urban planning.

Dato’ Idzham Mohd Hashim, President/CEO of IIB, expressed his unwavering support towards sustainable development, stating, “As we navigate the challenges of urbanisation, it is imperative for us to adopt low carbon practices to ensure the well-being of our society, protect our environment and manage our natural resources efficiently. This recognition is a testament of our commitment towards building an inclusive and sustainable metropolis of the future in Medini, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.”

As the master developer of Medini, IIB continues to champion sustainability in urban planning and economic growth. Through Medini Innopolis, IIB is positioning Medini as a future-ready city that integrates innovation, sustainability, and economic prosperity. This vision is driven by three key initiatives:

  • Medini International Convention City (MICC) – a global business and convention hub designed to attract investors and drive economic activity;
  • Tech Medini – a digital-first ecosystem supporting technology-driven industries;
  • Net Zero Carbon City Initiative – IIB’s long-term commitment to green urban living, integrating low-carbon technologies and smart infrastructure.

Medini Innopolis, covering 2,270 acres with 100 acres designated as the NZCC, is part of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) within the newly announced Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JSSEZ) in Johor. Aligned with the goal of utilising 70% renewable energy and achieving 100% green buildings by 2050, IIB is committed to championing a sustainable living and working environment for all.
Meanwhile, IIB’s sustainability efforts extend beyond Medini. EduCity, Johor’s premier education hub, plays a vital role in talent development, supporting the Johor Talent Development Council under the Johor Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The recognition of EduCity Complex 1 at LCC2030C reflects IIB’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its diverse portfolio.

The achievements of Medini 9 further reinforce IIB’s ability to implement impactful low-carbon strategies across various developments, setting a benchmark for other organisations to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

Building on five established pathways within the IIB decarbonisation roadmap which covers Energy, Circularity, Mobility, Built Environment, and Biodiversity-Land Use, IIB will progressively shape its sustainable solutions, from building a potential self-sustaining CBD to aiming at more than 60% carbon emission reductions for its overall operations and destinations by 2040, aligning nation’s Net Zero target by 2050.

This latest milestone strengthens IIB’s position as a frontrunner in sustainable urban transformation, paving the way for future innovations in low-carbon city development. The company remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders, policymakers, emerging talents and the community to create a resilient, smart, and inclusive city for generations to come.

CGS Malaysia offers country’s first publicly available CME Crypto futures

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CGS International Futures Malaysia (“CGS MYF”), the futures broking division of leading integrated financial services company, CGS International Securities Malaysia (“CGS MY”) announces the launch of the first publicly available CME Crypto Futures contracts in Malaysia for the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation, Bitcoin (“BTC”) and Ethereum (“Ether”). With this, CGS MY also becomes the first licensed derivatives broker in Malaysia to offer local traders and investors access to the potential of crypto futures via global derivatives exchange, CME Group – the world’s leading and most diverse future and options marketplace.

Alan Inn Wei Loon, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CGS MY said, “We are proud to bring this market first as we continue to enhance our product offerings and provide Malaysian traders and investors with access to internationally diverse and globally recognised financial instruments. The introduction of CME Crypto Futures contracts is a natural progression in our efforts to offer access to more complex instruments via a trusted platform such that our audience can capitalise on rapidly evolving market opportunities.

Through our network, CGS MY has access to the capabilities, infrastructure, and expertise to support sophisticated traders and investors looking for exposure to the explosive potential of digital assets but without taking on the full risk or exposure of buying and holding the crypto. The price discovery process adds to the benefits of trading these crypto future contracts within a regulated and trusted environment and at much lower trading fees.”

CGS MY continues to expand its suite of trading and investment products, providing a regulated avenue for corporates, institutions, businesses, and retail clients to trade cryptocurrency futures. The launch also comes at a time as institutional interest in digital assets grows, with cryptocurrencies playing an increasing role in diversified investment portfolios despite the current bearish global sentiment.

Through CGS MYF investors can trade Bitcoin, Micro Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Micro Ethereum futures contracts in a regulated, cash-settled environment. This approach is an alternative to direct ownership of digital assets. Other benefits are that the contracts allow for greater risk management and portfolio diversification while mitigating the volatility and security concerns associated with spot crypto trading.

Maxwell Ong Wai Boon, Head, Securities and Leveraged Products at CGS MYF, added, “The cryptocurrency market is evolving rapidly, and institutional-grade products like CME Crypto Futures provide traders with a structured, transparent, and efficient way to gain exposure to digital assets. These contracts are ideal for experienced traders and investors seeking to hedge risks, capitalise on market movements and volatility, to enhance their portfolios – with a regulated instrument. Together, our robust trading infrastructure and deep market expertise presents an attractive proposition for traders and investors who are looking for the appropriate platform to start trading cryptocurrency-related instruments.”

The launch reinforces CGS MYF’s position as a leading derivatives brokerage in Malaysia, providing clients with access to globally competitive trading opportunities.

Investors interested in trading CME Crypto Futures with CGS MYF can contact their Futures Broker Representative or visit www.cgsi.com.my for more information.

Penang strengthens tourism ties with Chennai

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In a significant step towards strengthening tourism ties between Penang and Chennai, the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) organised a media familiarisation trip to Chennai, India, earlier this month. The timely trip aligns with the recent launch of IndiGo Airlines’ direct flight connecting Penang and Chennai, a development poised to enhance tourism and cultural exchange between the two destinations.

The primary objective of this media trip is to generate interest among Penangites in Chennai as a vibrant travel destination, ensuring sustained demand for this direct flight route. Through compelling media coverage, showcasing Chennai’s diverse attractions, rich cultural heritage, and unique travel experiences, this initiative aims to inspire travelers and promote cross-border tourism growth.

The delegation’s journey includes visits to Mahabalipuram, home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites that showcase ancient rock-cut temples and intricate sculptures reflecting India’s profound history. In addition, they are exploring Chennai’s bustling cityscape, where modernity and tradition blend seamlessly, as well as Kanchipuram, a city renowned for its magnificent temples.

‘The Penang State Government fully supports this initiative as part of our commitment to sustaining direct connectivity with Chennai,’ said YB Wong Yuee Harng, Director of PCEB. ‘This media trip is a crucial step in broadening travel opportunities while strengthening economic and cultural ties between our two destinations.’

Ashwin Gunasekeran, CEO of PCEB, underscored the significance of this initiative. ‘Through extensive media exposure, we aim to amplify awareness of Chennai’s rich tourism offerings, ensuring the success of this direct flight while fostering deeper collaborations in tourism and business. Strengthening these connections aligns with Penang’s broader vision of expanding its presence in key markets.’

This initiative also complements Penang’s long-term tourism strategy by enhancing regional connectivity and unlocking economic benefits through increased travel between Penang and Chennai. By promoting this route, the media trip not only encourages exploration but also reinforces Penang’s position as a premier hub for both business and leisure tourism.

Bengkel Inovasi GLC to catalyse innovation and economic growth

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The Ministry of Finance (MOF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle), announces the launch of the Bengkel Inovasi GLC (BIG), a transformative programme aimed at driving innovation across all Government-Linked Companies (GLCs). With a RM15 million allocation under Belanjawan 2025, this initiative represents a strategic step in advancing Malaysia’s economic reform agenda to ‘Raise the Ceiling’ under the GEAR-uP initiative, in alignment with the Ekonomi MADANI framework.

GEAR-uP is a national initiative that unites Government-Linked Entities to drive growth in key economic sectors, supporting Malaysia’s structural reforms under Ekonomi MADANI. In its first phase, six leading GLICs pledged RM120 billion in domestic direct investments over five years, focusing on High-Growth, High-Value (HGHV) industries such as energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and technology ventures. These investments aim to build new economic ecosystems, enhance nation-building, and uplift both Malaysia’s economic stature and the Rakyat’s quality of life.

BIG is designed to empower GLCs by fostering collaboration with startups, accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and strengthening Malaysia’s economic competitiveness. By bridging the gap between corporate players and the startup ecosystem, the programme supports the nation’s aspiration to become one of the Top 20 global startup ecosystems by 2030 while generating high-value jobs and sustainable growth.

YB Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance II, emphasised the programme’s role in driving economic transformation, “BIG is aimed at cultivating an ecosystem where innovation fuels economic transformation. This is another strategic growth lever that complements ongoing initiatives to catalyse domestic market growth and raise the ceiling under the Ekonomi MADANI framework. By enabling greater synergy between GLCs, investors, and startups, we aim to drive industry leadership and unlock new growth opportunities. This effort, aligned with our GEAR-uP initiative, underscores the Government’s focus on building a future-ready economy.”

To ensure impactful results, the programme will leverage MOSTI’s National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) and Cradle’s extensive startup ecosystem networks to identify and support high-potential innovation projects.

YBhg. Dato’ Ts. Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Bin Hassim, Secretary General, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), reaffirmed MOSTI’s commitment to fostering innovation, “the BIG programme reflects our unwavering commitment to integrating advanced technologies, fostering entrepreneurial thinking, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth. By bridging the gap between GLCs, startups, and innovation leaders, this programme will unlock transformative solutions to address industry challenges, empower local talent, and drive progress in high-growth, high-value industries. In doing this, we hope to elevate Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem, position the nation as a regional hub for cutting-edge ideas, and contribute meaningfully to the broader Ekonomi MADANI vision.”

Adopting a Two-Pronged Approach
The Bengkel Inovasi GLC (BIG) programme will be executed in two phases:

  1. Innovation Partner & GLC Selection – By March 2025, five GLCs will be identified and matched with selected innovation partners, laying the groundwork for impactful collaboration.
  2. BIG Accelerator, which unfolds into two tracks:
    • ‘Venture Client Model’ – Focuses on refining problem statements with GLCs, identifying high-potential startups for a 6-month accelerator programme, and developing Proof of Concept (POC) solutions supported by a 1:1 matching POC convertible grant.
    • ‘Venture Co-Creation’ – Enables GLC teams to incubate new business ventures, fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable value creation. This track includes product development, piloting solutions with business units, and securing seed investments from GLCs, GLICs, and Venture Capitalists (VCs).

The programme provides access to mentorship, funding, and technical expertise, equipping GLCs with the necessary tools to become regional innovation leaders. It is expected to spur growth in critical sectors, including energy, transportation and logistics, financial services, property, and plantations.

Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, Group CEO, Cradle, highlighted the programme’s role in fostering collaboration between startups and corporate Malaysia, “Cradle is proud to lead this pivotal programme in collaboration with MOF and MOSTI, marking a transformative step in Malaysia’s GLC innovation landscape. BIG is designed to foster meaningful collaboration between corporate Malaysia and the startup ecosystem, driving the adoption of groundbreaking technologies and creating new opportunities for economic growth. This initiative will be a key enabler as we aim to create an inclusive, globally competitive, and sustainable ecosystem in line with our vision to grow and strengthen Malaysia’s startup ecosystem.”

Kenanga Investors celebrates multiple wins at the 2025 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards

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Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors”) was presented with a total of five awards at the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2025, surpassing previous successes by earning recognition across multiple categories,.

The firm was recognised for the performance of the following funds:

  1. Kenanga DividendEXTRA Fund (“KDEF”) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Funds Over 3 Years
  2. Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund (“KMIF”) – Best Equity Malaysia Diversified – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
  3. Kenanga Balanced Fund (“KBF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
  4. Kenanga Managed Growth Fund (“KMGF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Flexible – Malaysia Provident Funds Over 10 Years
  5. Kenanga SyariahEXTRA Fund (“KSEF”) – Best Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia Islamic Funds Awards Over 10 Years

Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, expressed pride in the firm’s performance, stating, “These awards highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence and consistency, especially in delivering strong returns year after year, even in tough market conditions. Our success comes from a disciplined, bottom-up stock-picking approach, which helps us identify high-quality companies and spot opportunities others may miss. We dig deep into industry dynamics, company business models, and the key factors driving return on equity. Through thorough channel checks, we assess competitive advantages and growth drivers, focusing on management quality, sustainability, industry trends, and balance sheet strength. As such, we are glad to see our expertise demonstrated by our success in both conventional and Shariah categories”.

Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, shared the firm’s outlook for 2025, stating, “We will continue to emphasise stock picking, while maintaining a higher-than-usual cash allocation to ensure flexibility amidst ongoing external uncertainties. We will focus on sectors tied to Malaysia’s domestic growth story, such as financials, construction, and healthcare, while complementing these with increased defensive holding. Selected small-cap stocks could present an opportunity, especially after their underperformance compared to large-cap stocks in 2024. By staying consistent with our investment philosophy, I am confident we can manage our portfolios effectively to capitalise on market opportunities, even with volatility”.

The performance1 of KMIF2 for the 2024 calendar year, which has received recognition for four consecutive times at the Awards, stands at 24.14%, significantly outperforming its benchmark of 16.98%. KDEF2 recorded returns of 21.31%, surpassing its benchmark of 16.98%, while KMGF3 delivered 19.24%, exceeding its benchmark of 10.39%. KBF4 posted a return of 18.53%, also outperforming its benchmark of 12.52%, and KSEF5 achieved 15.39%, outpacing its benchmark of 10.23%.

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months.

With this year’s multiple wins, Kenanga Investors strengthens its position as a leading fund house in Malaysia, committed to delivering value and growth for its investors over the long term.

Iskandar Investment Berhad launches EduCity Sports Complex 2.0

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Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) officially launches the EduCity Sports Complex (ESC) 2.0, marking a new chapter in sports and entertainment in Johor. The revamped complex is set to become a premier destination for athletes, event organisers, and the local community, offering world-class sports and entertainment facilities.

The operations of ESC will now be managed by 36Five X, a renowned experiential marketing and event management agency specialising in venue commercialisation. The partnership with 36Five X is aimed at maximising ESC’s usage and commercial potential, ensuring that it thrives as a vibrant hub for sports excellence and community engagement. With over 35 years of combined experience in marketing, event organisation, and venue management, 36Five X brings strategic expertise to ESC. Their mission is to enhance the facility’s offerings while ensuring its financial sustainability and contribution to Johor’s economic and tourism sectors.

Haris Hardi Zakaria, Chief Investment Officer of IIB stated, “This collaboration is a strategic initiative by IIB to leverage expert knowledge in transforming ESC into a vibrant sports and entertainment hub, boosting community engagement and economic growth. With 36Five X’s established expertise and IIB’s focus on community-oriented development, ESC is poised to enhance the sports and entertainment scene while significantly supporting Johor’s tourism and local economy. We are thrilled to welcome 36Five X’s leadership in taking ESC to new heights. Their expertise will undoubtedly enrich the sports and entertainment landscape in our region.”

With a renewed vision and strategic direction, ESC 2.0 aims to attract over 100,000 visitors this year alone, driven by a robust calendar of events. The anticipated increase in visitors is expected to generate approximately RM1 billion in economic impact for Johor’s tourism sector, alongside creating significant job opportunities and supporting local businesses.

Mizal Ghazali, Co-Founder and Director of 36Five X, added, “It’s an honour to spearhead the next chapter of ESC. We are committed to not only enhancing the facility’s offerings but also ensuring it plays a pivotal role in community and regional development.”

Among the key initiatives introduced at ESC 2.0 is the International Pickleball League (IPBL), which will take place from 12th April to 4th May 2025, positioning ESC as a premier venue for competitive pickleball in the region. Additionally, the D’Straits Duathlon, scheduled for September 2025, aims to attract endurance athletes from across the region, reinforcing Iskandar Puteri as a destination for sports tourism.

ESC also launched the ESC Arena+ Programme, designed to nurture young talent and promote physical activity among children under 12. The programme offers structured classes in Badminton, Football, Kids Athletics, Pickleball, and Netball, conducted by certified coaches. In collaboration with the Johor Badminton Association, ESC will provide at least eight badminton classes monthly at the Indoor Arena, ensuring accessibility to sports for all families.

Haris Hardi Zakaria further emphasised, “The launch of ESC 2.0 is a testament to IIB’s commitment to developing a sustainable and inclusive metropolis. Our collaboration with 36Five X reflects our vision to create a world-class sports and entertainment hub that enhances the quality of life in Johor while driving economic progress.”

As ESC embarks on this new era, it invites the community, businesses, and stakeholders to explore the extensive opportunities available at the complex. For more details on upcoming events and initiatives, visit www.educitysportscomplex.my.

38th ASEAN Exchanges CEOs Meeting: accelerating efforts on product and ESG development

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The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) hosted the 38th ASEAN Exchanges CEOs Meeting which focused on priority initiatives to further showcase the region’s unique investment qualities and create a unified ecosystem for sustainability solutions among listed companies and capital market stakeholders.

Promoting the ASEAN capital market, the group discussed activities that will continue to generate interest in investment products offered by the ASEAN Exchanges.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in November 2024 to collaborate on offering Depositary Receipts (DRs) on their respective exchanges, the ASEAN Exchanges discussed the performance of the ongoing DR collaboration between Singapore Exchange (SGX Group) and The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and the steady progress of DR development in the other ASEAN markets. Since the launch of their DR programme in 2023, SGX Group and SET have listed a combined total of 17 DRs and have more than doubled the AUM of these DRs in the past one year. The initiative has also generated additional trading volumes for both exchanges, adding to liquidity in the underlying market.

Given the encouraging performance of Thai and Singapore DRs, the rest of the ASEAN Exchanges have been actively working on regulations towards introducing DRs in their respective markets. Bursa Malaysia (BM), Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), PSE, and Vietnam Exchange (VNX) are in various stages of regulatory framework development and stakeholder engagement in line with the DR MOU’s goal to enhance investment opportunities by way of cross-border products.

The ASEAN Exchanges also remained steadfast in their joint promotion efforts by maximizing the use of the ASEAN Exchanges common website and planning marketing events with key market participants. The website content development strategy has expanded the website’s reach to institutional investors, which resulted in doubling visitor activity on the site. The exchange leaders also plan to capitalize on the momentum of previous roadshows in New York, USA and Melbourne, Australia by potentially hosting the next ASEAN-themed roadshow in Hong Kong in the second half of the year.

On the sustainability front, following the November 2024 announcement, the ASEAN-Interconnected Sustainability Ecosystem (ASEAN-ISE) Participating Exchanges issued a Request for Information (RFI) in February 2025, receiving strong industry interest. A joint briefing on the RFI by the ASEAN Exchanges last week saw participation from more than 120 representatives from 35 organizations, which included solution providers, credit bureaus, technology firms, information vendors, and consultants.

The RFI seeks market insights to develop a unified ASEAN regional ecosystem which includes:
1. Centralised Sustainability Data Infrastructure – Establish and harmonise a centralised yet inter-operable data infrastructure, aligning with national regulatory frameworks while ensuring seamless integration.
2. Digital Marketplace for Technology-based Sustainability Solutions – An open platform for technology-driven sustainability solutions to showcase their offerings, enabling over 4,000 public listed companies (PLCs) and their millions of suppliers to access plug-and-play or modular products, enhance reporting processes, and connect with solution providers across the region.

Submissions to the RFI close on 31 March 2025, 5:00 pm, GMT+8, and interested parties can respond to all or selected sections as applicable, either individually or as part of a consortium. For more information or to express interest, please contact isb@bursamalaysia.com.

Alibaba Cloud unveils AI offerings to advance Malaysia’s AI agenda

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Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has unveiled its latest AI models, solutions, upgraded infrastructure offerings, and AI empowerment program at its inaugural AI Tech Day in Malaysia. These advancements aim to empower businesses and developers in Malaysia to build innovative AI applications more cost-effectively and drive a thriving generative AI ecosystem in the region.

The event, officiated by YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Digital, also marked Alibaba Cloud’s announcement of key collaborations with leading Malaysian enterprises including YTL Power International Bhd’s artificial intelligence (AI) innovation unit, YTL AI Labs , Malaysia’s leading fund management company, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), and Malaysia’s digital marketing service provider HiSEVEN reinforcing Alibaba Cloud’s role as a trusted technology partner in the country’s AI ecosystem.

In his address, the Deputy Minister commended the spirit of collaboration, stating “Malaysia is committed to leveraging AI for digital transformation and economic growth. With initiatives like Alibaba Cloud’s AI advancements and industry collaborations, we are strengthening our AI ecosystem and empowering local businesses. Together, we can build a Malaysia that is not just a participant but a leader in the global digital economy—one that is innovative, inclusive, and prosperous.”

“At Alibaba Cloud, we are committed to driving AI innovation in Malaysia by providing cutting-edge models, scalable infrastructure, and dedicated support for customers, partners and developers. Our latest advancements will empower local talents and businesses to enhance efficiency, scale AI applications, and contribute to Malaysia’s digital future powered by AI,” said Kun Huang, General Manager of Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

Powering AI Innovation with Advanced Offerings

Next-Generation Computing and AI Infrastructure – To support growing AI demands, Alibaba Cloud announced the global rollout of its 9th Generation Enterprise Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances, set to be available in mid of 2025 in Malaysia. The latest generation of ECS instances has notable performance enhancements compared to its previous iteration, including a 20% increase in computing efficiency. Additionally, by accelerating networks through eRDMA (elastic Remote Direct Memory Access), its performance in supporting high-performance computing, search recommendations, and Redis databases can be further improved by up to 50%.

Cutting-Edge AI Models and Multimodal Capabilities – Alibaba Cloud introduced the Qwen2.5 series, its latest generation of large language models (LLMs), available in parameter sizes ranging from 7 billion to 72 billion. These models are now accessible via API on its generative AI development platform, Model Studio for businesses and developers to build and deploy AI applications efficiently across various industries, from finance and retail to healthcare and education.

Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled its latest visual-language model, Qwen2.5-VL, representing a significant enhancement over its predecessor, Qwen2-VL. This open-source, multimodal model is offered in various sizes, ranging from 3 billion, 7 billion to 72 billion parameters, and includes both base and instruction-tuned versions. The flagship model, Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct, is now accessible through the Qwen Chat platform, while the entire Qwen2.5-VL series is available on Hugging Face and Alibaba’s open-source community Model Scope.

To further support developers, Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled its proprietary AI-powered coding assistant, which will be available for developers in April 2025. The AI Programmer offers features such as code completion and optimisation, debugging assistance, code snippet search and batch unit test generation. It provides developers with an efficient and seamless coding experience, significantly enhancing productivity and creativity.

AI Solutions for Business and Enterprise Applications – Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven solutions are designed to help businesses improve operational efficiency, improve customer engagement, and drive digital transformation:

  • AI Doc: An intelligent document processing tool designed to help enterprises manage and utilize their knowledge more efficiently, flexibly, and cost-effectively through converting unstructured documents into structured data, streamlining workflows and reducing operational costs. It leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to provide a range of functionalities, including document parsing, core content extraction, knowledge base Q&A, content comparison, and report generation.
  • Voice Insight: A multilingual voice recognition and analytics tool that enhances quality inspections, customer interactions, and service monitoring with AI-driven audio and video analysis.
  • Smart Studio: A next-generation content creation platform powered by AI, enabling seamless text-to-image and text-to-video applications to enhance marketing and creative outputs.
  • SmartQ: An AI-driven data analysis module of Quick BI, Alibaba Cloud’s Business Intelligence (BI) platform solution. Powered by Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary large language model Qwen, this innovative chat-based BI solution allows even non-technical users to generate insights by asking questions in plain language, greatly simplifying enterprise analytics experience.

In addition, to further accelerate the local AI innovation and talent development in the region, the leading cloud service provider has launched its inaugural Alibaba Cloud Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 in partnership with Malaysia’s digital solutions specialist Agmo Holdings Berhad during the event, inviting innovators, developers, and tech enthusiasts in the region to collaborate, create, and showcase their AI expertise. The program will be open for local registration from February 27 until April 30, 2025, providing local talent with an opportunity to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies and compete on a global stage.