SUBANG SKYPARK AIMS FOR RM7 MILLION REVENUE

PETALING JAYA, Aug 17 (Bernama)-- Subang SkyPark Sdn Bhd is confident of
recording RM6 million to RM7 million in revenue from its refurbished Skypark
Subang Terminal (SST), formerly known as Terminal 3, by May next year.
Executive director Tan Sri Ravindran Menon said the city airport operator
was confident of achieving its target with the completion of works at SST by
October this year.
"The RM40 million terminal is 90 percent completed and destined to become
Malaysia's premier airport in the city," he told reporters at a media sneak
preview of the SST here today.
When fully operational, the SST is able to accommodate an average of 60
flights daily, comprising of local and regional arrivals and departures, he
said.
Presently, Berjaya Air and Firefly are using the terminal for international
and domestic flights.
The 150,000-square foot SST is expected to handle 2.5 million passengers by
end of this year, Ravindran said.
Currently, passenger numbers are peaking at 60,000 a month, he said.
The company is involved in the RM300 million redevelopment plan for the
Subang airport, consisting of RM40 million for phase one, RM110 million for
phase two and RM150 million for phase three.
Ravindran said the three phases included a city airport for turbo-prop
aircraft, fixed base operations for business jets, and maintenance, repair and
overhaul facilities.
The three phases are scheduled for full completion by end-2011, he said. --
BERNAMA
WNA LC

MALAYSIA EXPECTS BETTER GROWTH IN 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to record better growth
in 2010 in tandem with the positive growth forecast for Europe, said Deputy
Finance Minister Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung.
"Since Malaysia's major exports are to Europe, the recovery there is bound to
have a positive impact on our economy.
"These countries are showing positive signs of economic recovery and this
augurs well for Malaysia," he told reporters after launching the Marine Customs
Officers Association's blog.
Chor was commenting on the encouraging growth chalked up by France and Germany
in the second quarter of 2009 and its impact on Malaysia.
However, he said Malaysia can no longer depend on the American and European
markets to sustain exports as consumers there have turned cautious in their
spending following the economic crisis.
Chor said the massive capital injection undertaken by countries, worldwide,
has had a positive impact in stimulating their domestic economies.
Speaking on a another development, Chor said the Royal Malaysian Customs
accrued RM8.935 billion in taxes and duties, between January and May 2009,
against RM8.797 billion collected in the same period last year.
In 2008, the department raked in RM28.63 billion in taxes and duties, the
highest since the department's inception, compared with RM4.9 billion collected
in 2007.
Chor also said,"Against the current economic scenario, smuggling activities
in the Malaysian waters is expected to be rampant".
-- BERNAMA
WNA VMD

1st GLOBAL SEEKS TO TURN TOBACCO SPECIES INTO PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- 1st Global Biotech (M) Sdn Bhd, a leader
in research and development (R&D) of enzyme-based products, is working towards
turning tobacco species into pharmaceutical products.
Its chief executive officer Professor Suffian Jusoh said the Science,
Technology and Innovation Ministry had approved RM5 million for the project for
a two-year period.
"The ministry released one million ringgit last week to start the research,"
Suffian told reporters at a media conference here today.
The company was now working closely with its joint-venture partner,
Taiwan-based Biozyme Biotech, to transfer the technology from Taiwan to
Malaysia, he said.
According to Suffian, the research is aimed at extracting Coenzyme Q10
(CoQ10)from tobacco leaves.
CoQ10 has a naturally stimulating effect on the energy-intensive cells of
the heart and acts as an antioxidant to help protect the body from free
radicals, he said.
Zymtech Corporation Sdn Bhd's managing director Raymond Chan said the
company, a subsidiary of 1st Global, planned to be a global leader in supplying
enzyme-based health supplements.
The company was targeting to market its enzyme-based products to countries
like Indonesia and China, Chan said.
"Demand for Zymtech products has been encouraging with the world growing in
awareness about enzyme supplements," he said. -- BERNAMA
WNA LC

PANASONIC TARGETS MONTHLY SALE OF 1,000 BLENDERS AND DRY ION

PETALING JAYA, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- Home appliance manufacturer, Panasonic
Malaysia Sdn Bhd, is targetting to sell 1,000 units, each, of its blender and
dry ion, monthly, during the Panasonic - Giant Malaysian's Choice Campaign.
Its executive director, Jeff Lee Wee Leong, said both products were
manufactured locally and would be sold exclusively at 43 Giant hypermarkets.
"We decided to partner with Giant as it is the leading hypermarket in
Malaysia which promoted local products," he told reporters after the launch of
the campaign by the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and
Consumerism, Datuk Tan Lian Hoe here today.
During the campaign, which would end on Oct 31 2009, consumers can purchase
the blender and dry ion at a special price of RM79.99 and RM46.99, respectively.
Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd, based in Shah Alam, manufactured more
than 20 electrical products including blenders, dry ion, stand fans and
rice cookers.
-- BERNAMA
WNA VMD

ICAPITAL.BIZ SEES FBM KLCI REACHING 1,500 LEVEL WITHIN TWO YEARS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- The FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
(FBM KLCI) is expected to increase between five and 10 percent from the current
level by year end, said icapital.biz Bhd (icapital), managing director, Tan Teng
Boo.
The FBM KLCI closed at 1,186.19 today, up 5.65 points from yesterday.
Tan is also projecting the FBM KLCI to reach 1,500 points within two
years depending on the economic development in the country as well as globally.
"As long as Malaysia does not face major political calamities, the
longer-term outlook for Bursa Malaysia remains positive," he told reporters
after the company's annual general meeting here today.
On the global economic outlook, Tan believed the global economy led by China
has begun a V-shaped recovery and the current rally the beginning of a new bull
market.
"The global economy is facing a secular boom with cyclical inflation."
He also believed the global economic contraction in the last three quarters
was not due to the U.S. sub prime or mortgage problems.
"Analysis showed that global economic activities contracted only
after the collapse of Lehman Brothers on September 15, 2009.
"In the last twelve months, the global economy impacted by the US-led
financial crisis, went through a very turbulent period, leaving investors
totally confused," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's only listed close-end fund, icapital.biz recorded a
revenue of RM11.414 million for the period ended May 31, 2009, a fall of
RM34.252 million or 75 percent compared to the same period last year.
As of July this year, the company has invested in 17 listed companies
including Parkson Holdings, Astro, KL-Kepong Bhd, F&N Holdings Bhd and Petronas
Dagangan Bhd, topping the list in terms of the size of unrealised profits.
Its investments totalled RM156.99 million while total unrealised gain was
M60.80 million.
The conservative fund now has cash holdings of below RM40 million, which Tan
said was the lowest in the fund's history and a reflection of the many
bargains available on Bursa Malaysia.-- BERNAMA
WNA TNS SD

FIREFLY SUSPENDS SINGAPORE-MELAKA ROUTE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's community airlines, Firefly Sdn
Bhd, has suspended its planned Singapore-Melaka route scheduled for commencement
on Sept 1, said managing director Eddy Leong.
The move would allow the airline to evaluate in greater detail the request
by the Melaka state government to focus on the Indonesian sector.
The Melaka Government recently asked the airlines to focus more on
Indonesian routes such as Pekanbaru, Djambi and Palembang to boost medical
tourism.
"We will continue to talk to the state government. We remain positive that
Firefly will light up Melaka just like how we did for Perak," he said in a
statement.
Following the suspension of the Singapore-Melaka route, Leong said Firefly
would re-deploy the aircraft meant for the sector to the Singapore-Ipoh sector.
Firefly will operate daily flights between Singapore and Ipoh from Sept 1.
Currently, it serves the sector four times a week. -- BERNAMA
WNA TOM

MK LAND EXPECTS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN SALES

PETALING JAYA, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- MK Land Holdings Bhd expects double-digit
growth in sales annually to RM1 billion within five years mainly from its
Armanee terrace condominium, Rafflesia and Metropolitan Square projects in
Damansara Perdana.
Its executive chairman/chief executive officer, Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal
Abu Bakar, said with the expected good response to the projects, the company was
confident of achieving RM600 million in sales by 2010.
"The three projects, worth over RM3.5 billion, will last the company for the
next five year," he told reporters after handing over the motorcycles to the
Royal Malaysia Police in Damansara Perdana here today.
He said the company recorded RM52 million in sales in July, exceeding its
initial target of RM42 million.
Mustapha Kamal said the company recently sold 178 units of the Armanee
Terrace condo (Wing C) to a local company.
He, however, declined to give details.
Mustapha Kamal said the company was optimistic of turning in positive result
for the fourth quarter ended June 20, 2009 despite a slowdown in property
market.
The company is expected to announce its fourth-quarter result on Aug 28.
He said the company recorded a profit in the third quarter due to its
aggressive sales. -- BERNAMA
WNA THS

EDGE-BURSA RAT RACE 2009 RAISES RM1.7 MIL FOR CHARITY

BURSA-RAT RACE
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The 10th Edge-Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Rat Race 2009 raised RM1.7 million for charity.
The Corporate Malaysia's unique race saw the participation of 159 teams from
67 local and foreign companies.
Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusoff
said he hoped to see more participation from corporations in future.
He said Bursa Malaysia pledged to plant one tree for every participating
team.
"We will be planting more than 150 trees this year in efforts to offset
carbon footprints to the environment," he told reporters.
The local bourse had planted 140 trees at the Kepong Metropolitan Park since
last year's race.
Meanwhile, since the first race in 2000, 110 charitable organisations have
benefited from the funds collected.
The run kicked off with a one kilometre CEO Race with 61 captains of
industry taking part, followed by the 4.5km main race, both starting from the
Bursa Malaysia grounds. -- BERNAMA
WNA TOM

MOSTI APPROVED 3,882 PROJECTS WORTH RM2.5 BLN FROM JAN 2006 TO JULY 2009

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and
Innovation (MOSTI) approved 3,882 projects involving science, technology and
innovation totalling RM2.5152 billion, between January 2006 and July this year.
Its minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said, out of this figure, 2,638
projects, worth RM492.2 million, were approved under the ministry's Science
Fund.
He was speaking at the opening of the 10th Asian Conference on Analytical
Sciences (Asianalysis X and LabAsia 2009) in Kuala Lumpur today.
MOSTI has put a major emphasis on the training of young scientists in
state-of-the-art technologies by providing funds under its Human Capital
Development programme towards achieving the target of 50 researchers, scientists
and engineers (RSEs) per 10,000 labour force in the near future.
At the moment the ratio is 27 RSEs per 10,000 labour force.
Ongkili said MOSTI was also giving attention to innovation in Malaysian
products and services to ride through the economic recession.
"MOSTI will spearhead Malaysia's Year of Innovation and Creativity next
year. The National Innovation Foundation which was set up last year will focus
on further developing innovative and creative ideas produced by the grassroots
with the aim to commercialise them," said Ongkili.
Meanwhile the 10th Asian Conference on Analytical Sciences which started
today has been able to attract a large following of senior as well as young
analytical scientists from Austria, Bangladesh, China, Germany, Japan as well
as other Asian countries.
The event which ends on August 13 will also see a group of young analytical
chemists presenting their research findings. Close to 550 papers will be
presented.-- BERNAMA
WNA SD

HR MUST FOCUS ON RETAINING, DEVELOPING STAFF IN PRESENT TIMES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Human Resources (HR) practitioners in the
country should balance the basic needs and use the present downturn to drive up
the performance of companies, says a HR expert.
Director, Talent & Organization Performance of Accenture, Low Choy Huat said
the key to successful talent management in difficult times was the ability to
think ahead and strategically create a workorce with capabilities to outperform
the competition.
"We recommend HR to proactively focus on retaining and developing the right
talent through adopting talent segmentation," Low said at a media briefing on
"HR Challenges and Opportunities in Uncetain Times" here today.
HR practitioners must also find innovative ways to engage the
workforce while getting the right costs by optimising HR service delivery.
Low said a recent company research showd that chief executive officers
of companies expected HR to make key decisions on talents.
"Only 11 percent are very satisfied with the contribution of their HR
function," he added.
Low said the competition for talent will become a business challenge in the
future.
"Companies that deal with the recession by cutting back too drastically on
talent management practices may find themselves woefully unprepared for the long
term," he added.-- BERNAMA
WNA SD

HDC, SMIDEC IN STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH NESTLE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Halal Industry Development Corporation
(HDC) and the Small and Medium Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC) have
entered into a strategic collaboration with Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd to enhance the
capacity and capability of small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs).
Under the collaboration, SMIDEC, via an evaluation system, would identify
and recommend SMEs in the halal industry who can become competent suppliers to
Nestle.
HDC Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin said the corporation
would assist selected SMEs and Nestle in promoting Malaysia's halal products
internationally.
Speaking at a press conference after the signing of a Memorandum of
Agreement between HDC, SMIDEC and Nestle here today, Jamil said the corporation
would assist Nestle with its on-going halal food development, training and
consultancy programmes for SMEs.
Nestle (Malaysia) Managing Director Sullivan O'Carroll said the company has
about 150 suppliers and 40 were local companies.
"In terms of value, the local companies supplied only 10 per cent of the
raw materials and ingredients to Nestle", O'Carroll said.
Present to witness the signing ceremony were International Trade
and Industry minister, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and SMIDEC Chairman Datuk Ir.
Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid.
Meanwhile, SMIDEC Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Hashim said several
Japanese companies were keen to invest in Malaysia's halal food and beverage
industry.
"One company has begun operations in Johor while SMIDEC is now luring
another five to six Japanese companies to invest in the country", she said.
Habsah also said in order to draw greater SME partcipation, SMIDEC provided
matching grants for the development and promotion of halal products.
As at June 30, 2009, SMIDEC approved 270 applications for a matching grant
of RM15.88 million. -- BERNAMA
WNA VMD