Inovatif

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  • Scoot and Tourism Malaysia collaborate to boost tourism

    Scoot and Tourism Malaysia collaborate to boost tourism

    Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), and Tourism Malaysia today announced a three-year Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) to jointly promote Malaysia as a must-visit travel destination across key regional markets, in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

    The MoC formalises a strategic partnership till 5 August 2028, and seeks to drive awareness of various Malaysian cities through integrated marketing campaigns and co-branded initiatives. These will include targeted digital campaigns, and familiarisation trips to inspire travel to Malaysia.

    The partnership will focus on driving visitors from countries including Australia, China, Indonesia and Singapore. Scoot currently operates to 11 cities in Malaysia including Ipoh, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Kuching, Langkawi, Melaka, Miri, Penang, Sibu and Subang. With the launch of Kota Bharu on 26 October 2025, Scoot will operate 115 weekly flights to 12 cities in Malaysia.

    The MoC signing ceremony was held at Scoot’s headquarters in Singapore, with Ms Agatha Yap, Scoot Director of Marketing, Communications and Loyalty signing the MoC on behalf of the airline, and Ms Norliza Md. Zain, Director of Tourism Malaysia (Singapore), representing the tourism board. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr Calvin Chan, Chief Commercial Officer of Scoot, alongside H.E Dato’ Dr. Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore.

    Ms Agatha Yap said, “We are excited to deepen our relationship with Tourism Malaysia through a three-year partnership. Malaysia has always been an important market for Scoot, and we hope that this collaboration will allow us to drive even more awareness and interest in the various Malaysian cities that Scoot serves. Regional travellers, including Singaporeans, enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay in Malaysia, and with this MoC, we hope to connect more travellers to Malaysia from Singapore and the rest of Scoot’s extensive network.”

    YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, shared, “This strategic partnership with Scoot comes at a crucial time as we ramp up efforts for VM2026. Leveraging Scoot’s extensive network will allow us to tap into high-potential regional markets and attract more international visitors to explore Malaysia’s unique offerings. As of May 2025, Malaysia recorded a 20.4% year-on-year surge in international arrivals, reaching 16.9 million visitors. Singapore remained our top source market with 8.3 million arrivals, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, and India. We are confident that this collaboration will contribute significantly to our 2025 target of welcoming 43 million international visitors.”

  • Singapore Tourism Board and Grab join forces to elevate visitor experiences

    Singapore Tourism Board and Grab join forces to elevate visitor experiences

    The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, have announced a partnership to enhance visitor experiences and strengthen Singapore’s position as a top travel destination. Through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both organisations aim to attract more international visitors and drive tourism spend, while delivering seamless and authentic travel experiences across the city.

    At the heart of the partnership is a shared ambition to strengthen Singapore’s position as a destination that consistently delivers value, discovery and seamless experiences at every step of the traveller journey. By combining STB’s expertise in destination marketing and partnerships with Grab’s technology and insights into dining and commuting trends, the collaboration seeks to empower travellers of all profiles to explore Singapore’s diverse precincts with greater ease and relevance, ensuring they get the most value from their trips.

    The mutual sharing of data insights plays a key role in helping both organisations better understand evolving traveller behaviours and uncover more meaningful experiences for visitors. This aligns with STB’s Tourism 2040 roadmap by cultivating visitor demand, enhancing Singapore’s attractiveness as a destination and driving quality tourism growth.

    “Visitors today seek good value and unforgettable experiences when they travel – and Singapore is a compact, yet exciting destination that delivers on both. Together with Grab, we hope to inspire more travellers to consider Singapore, and when they are here, to make every ride an adventure. Grab’s extensive reach and capabilities, coupled with STB’s destination know-how, will help us understand our customers better, while making it easier for them to discover more, and get the most out of every moment in Singapore,” said Mr Terrence Voon, Executive Director for Southeast Asia at STB.

    Enhancing Value for Travellers

    As part of the collaboration, STB will act as the gateway connecting Grab with tourism partners across Singapore to enable closer collaboration. Deeper insights gained from these partners, combined with Grab’s demand generation tools and marketing capabilities, will help drive greater footfall and tourism spending throughout the island — benefiting a wide array of local businesses and experiences.

    One key initiative is the enhancement of the Grab Travel Pass, a convenient bundle offering discounts on Grab transport and services in-country. Available to all international travellers visiting Singapore, the Travel Pass simplifies travel planning and improves on-ground mobility, delivering greater value to travellers while driving growth for tourism partners.

    Leveraging Singapore’s strength as a hub for global and regional events, the partnership will also see Grab collaborating with STB and event organisers to elevate the overall event experience through its mobility, food and financial services which are widely used by both leisure and business travellers.

    Spotlighting Singapore’s Culinary Scene and Supporting Local Businesses

    Food has long been one of Singapore’s strongest tourism draws — not just because of its global acclaim, but also the accessibility and authenticity of its everyday dining experiences. From MICHELIN-starred restaurants to local hawker stalls, Singapore offers travellers a diverse and dynamic culinary landscape that reflects its cultural richness.

    In recent years, the appetite for these experiences has only grown. In 2024, Food and Beverage (F&B) contributed 14% to Singapore’s tourism receipts, marking a 6.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a significant 73% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. This growth outpaced other spend categories, highlighting the importance of culinary experiences in Singapore’s tourism landscape.

    “One of Singapore’s greatest charms lies in the richness of its everyday experiences — from its distinctive neighbourhoods to the hawker centres and small eateries that define its culinary identity. Through our partnership with STB, we hope to help travellers uncover these authentic moments, showcasing Singapore’s heritage and encouraging deeper exploration of its diverse precincts. In doing so, we not only enrich the visitor experience but also support local businesses by connecting them with a broader international audience,” Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director of Grab Singapore.

    To make it easier for visitors to discover and enjoy the city’s culinary offerings, features like Grab’s Dine-Out Discovery — which leverages mapping technology and food reviews to surface highly rated eateries nearby — can guide travellers to explore beyond the usual dining spots, uncovering options in both central districts and neighbourhood enclaves.

    In doing so, the partnership plays a key role in supporting local businesses by making them more discoverable to international visitors. Whether it’s a heritage hawker stall, a family-run eatery, or a hidden gem in the heartlands, Grab’s platform helps surface these options through curated recommendations and geo-location tools. This visibility drives footfall not only to neighbourhood F&B outlets, but also to nearby retail shops — connecting travellers with everyday dining and retail experiences across Singapore’s precincts and channeling tourism dollars beyond the city centre.

    Sustaining Tourism Momentum

    This partnership builds on Singapore’s strong tourism momentum in 2025, with 8.33 million international visitor arrivals recorded in the first six months of this year, and S$8.07 billion in tourism spend in the first quarter of 2025. As competition for global travellers intensifies, collaborations like this are essential for sustainable growth by offering richer experiences and extending the economic benefits of tourism deeper into local communities.

  • AEON Bank and foodpanda embark on strategic partnership

    AEON Bank and foodpanda embark on strategic partnership

    AEON Bank (M) Berhad, Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank has officially entered into a strategic partnership with foodpanda Malaysia, the country’s leading online food and grocery delivery platform. This business-to-business (B2B) collaboration aims to increase digital banking adoption among their combined stakeholders and empower Malaysia’s gig economy through innovative fintech solutions, while simultaneously promoting financial inclusion.

    The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AEON Bank and foodpanda Malaysia outlines a broad scope of collaboration, including customer acquisition, digital financing, joint campaigns and value-added services for their wider ecosystem of customers, riders, merchants and business partners.

    YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of AEON Bank stated, “This strategic partnership with foodpanda marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for AEON Bank. We look forward to providing value to foodpanda riders and merchants by enabling access to digital banking, rewards programmes and services that elevate their experience. By optimising foodpanda’s expansive network and connecting it with AEON Bank’s Shariah-compliant products and AEON Points loyalty programme, we aim to deliver meaningful impacts to the target segments — particularly gig workers and MSMEs — while driving growth and engagement.”

    This partnership is strategically positioned to contribute to Malaysia’s rapidly growing food delivery and online grocery sector, where user penetration is expected to reach 34.2% in 2025 and over 14.5 million users by 2030 .

    “We are thrilled to join forces with AEON Bank to create real, tangible benefits for everyone in the foodpanda community. For our riders, this partnership goes beyond deliveries — it enables access to tech-driven financial support, microfinancing and financial literacy programmes that can improve their livelihoods. Meanwhile, our merchant partners will have greater opportunities to grow their businesses faster with targeted campaigns and financing solutions to scale their operations. And for our customers, they can expect more value and convenience with exclusive rewards and easier access to AEON’s retail ecosystem. This partnership is more than just a commercial collaboration — it’s about empowering riders, accelerating merchant growth and making every customer experience even more rewarding,” said Tan Ming Luk, Managing Director of foodpanda Malaysia.

    Various key programmes will be introduced as part of this collaboration, including co-branding engagement featuring the two mascots; AEON Bank’s Neko and foodpanda’s Pau-Pau. Several initiatives currently in the pipeline are:

    For Riders

    • A joint programme to support delivery riders in enhancing their mobility and livelihood, including access to AEON Bank’s digital banking offering, financial tools and essential work resources, such as microfinancing for devices and motorcycle purchases
    • Financial literacy initiative to expand outreach and financial empowerment among the rider

    For Merchant Partners

    • Targeted campaigns with AEON Bank for foodpanda’s merchants
    • Financial solutions for merchants through the AEON Bank to Business (AB2B) Programme and financing for wholesale purchases, enabling inventory expansion and business growth

    For Customers

    • Special rewards and promotions for customers, while adding value to their foodpanda orders
    • Expanded access across the AEON retail ecosystem, hence allowing customers to purchase groceries online beyond just AEON MaxValu Prime, thereby increasing convenience.

    This alliance between AEON Bank and foodpanda Malaysia highlights a shared commitment towards improving the financial well being of the thriving community, driving innovation and supporting Malaysia’s socioeconomic development through digital inclusion. Both brands will leverage each other’s strength, aligned with a strategic mission to provide value based, customer-centric digital financial solutions that will deliver dynamic growth.

    Visit the website of AEON Bank and foodpanda for further details and stay updated on exclusive offers on social media.

  • RHB, Tokio Marine Life and Takaful Malaysia forge exclusive banca partnerships

    RHB Banking Group (RHB or the Group) has entered into bancassurance and bancatakaful partnerships with Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd. (Tokio Marine Life) and its takaful partners – Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Keluarga Berhad (STMKB), and its wholly owned subsidiary, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Berhad (STMAB) (collectively referred to as Takaful Malaysia). These partnerships are formalised through separate Distribution Agreements – between RHB Bank and Tokio Marine Life, and between RHB Islamic and Takaful Malaysia, as well as the Framework Agreement entered into by all parties.

    Under the Distribution Agreements, RHB will exclusively sell, distribute, market and promote the conventional life insurance products, the family takaful products and the general takaful products developed by Tokio Marine Life and Takaful Malaysia, in Malaysia. The Framework Agreement is entered into as part of the overall joint operating and governance framework for the banca partnerships.

    The exclusive Distribution Agreements will be for a period of 20 years (commenced 1 August 2025), at a Total Access Fee payable to RHB of up to RM1.6 billion. The Total Access Fee reflects the projected insurance and takaful business volume that RHB is expected to generate over the tenure of the Distribution Agreements, including anticipated sales of products through RHB’s network of branches and digital channels. These will contribute positively to the Group’s profit before tax.

    Dato’ Mohd Rashid Mohamad, Group Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer of RHB Banking Group said, “This long term and exclusive banca partnerships reinforces our commitment to staying relevant to our customers, diversifying our income streams and driving sustainable long-term growth. By deepening our collaboration, we are able to deliver tailored financial solutions, enhance customer experience and unlock meaningful value for RHB as well as our banca partners. This aligns with our PROGRESS27 strategic priorities, which is already in motion, enabling us to deliver broader value to our stakeholders while driving our non-interest income streams.”

    “This reflects the strength, resilience and maturity of our partnership. One that we have built over the years of collaboration and shared ambition. We are confident that this next chapter will see us deliver even greater value to the community, combining Tokio Marine’s global insurance expertise with RHB’s local reach and customer trust,” said Toi See Jong, Chief Executive Officer of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd.

    Additionally, Nor Azman Zainal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Takaful Malaysia said, “This collaboration positions us to scale our takaful offerings and broaden our footprint within the Islamic financial ecosystem. It reflects our ongoing commitment to making ethical, Shariah-compliant protection more accessible to a wider base of consumers across our key markets.”

    The product portfolio will continue to evolve in response to customer needs and emerging market trends.

  • Execution remains key for 13th Malaysia Plan

    The recently tabled 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) continues the government’s dual-focus approach of fiscal consolidation alongside sustained support for growth. The headline development expenditure (DevEx) allocation of RM430 bil over five years represents a marked step-up in investment. This translates to an average allocation of RM86 bil per annum from 2026 to 2030, well above the RM79 bil annual average recorded from 2021 to 2024 and nearly double the pre-pandemic average of RM48 bil between 2015 and 2019. Spread evenly, this roughly works out to the government spending at least 3% of GDP on DevEx each year, with more than half of the total allocation (52.8%) directed to the economic sector. This should underpin the much needed infrastructure build-out, human-capital development and innovation-driven projects under the 13MP.

    Realistic Growth Ambition
    The plan targets an average annual GDP growth of 4.5%–5.5% over 2026–2030, a range close to the 5.2% average growth recorded between 2021–2024. We believe that this target is both realistic and achievable, and is also similar to our baseline medium-term GDP growth expectation of circa 5.0%, provided global headwinds remain manageable and domestic policy support continues.

    Fiscal Consolidation Remains on Track
    The 13MP reiterated its commitment to narrow the fiscal deficit to below 3% of GDP by 2030, from the 4.1% recorded in 2024. Assuming the total development expenditure is somewhat evenly spread across 2026–2030 and real GDP grows within the targeted range of 4.5%–5.5%, the deficit ratio should be on track to decline toward the sub-3% objective.

    This fiscal consolidation is important to help lower the government’s debt load, which climbed to 64.6% of GDP as at end-2024 from 52.4% in 2019, and in turn ease its debt-servicing burden. Interest payments reached 15.6% of government revenue as of end-2024, up from 12.5% in 2019, which suggests that for every RM100 in government revenue earned, about RM16 is used to pay interest on borrowing. Sustained deficit reduction, therefore, helps avoid the crowding out of productive spending and frees up resources for development priorities over the long run.

    Human-Capital and Income Targets
    The 13MP aspires to raise compensation of employees (CE) to 40% of GDP by 2030, a commendable target in order to resolve Malaysia’s widely talked about issue of ‘stagnant’ wages. However, this would require an average annual CE growth of 11.1% between 2026 and 2030, more than double the 5.3% pace under the 12MP and higher than the pre-pandemic (2016-2019) average of 7.1%. With CE share at only 33.6% in 2024, achieving this will demand effective wage policies, including continued minimum-wage adjustments, stronger graduate and TVET wage progression, and broad-based productivity enhancements.

    The Plan also addresses investments in human capital and preparation as the nation transitions into an aged nation. Latest projections by the Department of Statistics Malaysia indicate that the country will transition into an “aged society” by around 2050, with the working-age population share expected to fall from 70% in 2025 to 68%. Coupled with declining birth rates (total fertility rate of 1.7 in 2023 versus 2.0 in 2013), Malaysia faces a shrinking labour force. The review of the mandatory retirement age, alongside a comprehensive strategy for workforce upskilling and an emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to address skill mismatch issues under 13MP, should help mitigate some of the labour market challenges ahead.

    Execution Remains Key
    As with previous plans, execution remains the linchpin. The enhanced Policy Implementation Plan and monitoring system known as MyRMK will oversee integrated implementation across ministries. The enhanced transparency, which enables timely course corrections, provides the necessary tools for success. Whether the 13MP targets can be met will depend heavily on the effectiveness of execution and the discipline to follow through with the plans.

    The 13MP strikes a prudent balance between fiscal consolidation and growth support, with a sizeable and well-targeted DE envelope and a realistic growth target. While sectoral allocations and digital-innovation drivers are well calibrated, execution capacity and human-capital challenges, particularly the ambitious income share goal, will be decisive. Strong implementation governance, more effective measures to minimise leakages and ensure efficient use of public funds, coupled with supportive policies for wages and innovation, will be critical to realising the 13MP’s 2030 vision.

  • MyCIF reaches out to MSMEs and entrepreneurs in Sabah

    Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) has reached out to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sabah, for opportunities in funding business expansion and their working capital needs through equity crowdfunding (ECF) and peer-to-peer (P2P) financing.

    Sabah Minister of Industrial Development & Entrepreneurship YB Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe officiated the one-day roadshow themed “Empowering Financing, Advancing Growth” in Kota Kinabalu. Around 300 representatives from business associations, government agencies, venture capital, private equity and MSMEs attended the event.

    Organised by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), the event was supported by Invest Sabah Bhd, a key development partner with deep local networks and strong links to state and federal MSME initiatives.

    It featured networking sessions, breakout discussions, and exhibitor booths where participants engaged with SC-registered ECF and P2P platform operators and heard first-hand success stories from companies funded through MyCIF.

    MyCIF, Malaysia’s first public-private co-investment model, was set up by the Ministry of Finance under the 2019 Federal Budget. Administered by the SC, MyCIF has since co-invested in over 70,000 campaigns, benefiting more than 9,500 MSMEs nationwide. In 2024, the fund exceeded RM1 billion in total co-investments. It employs a 1:4 co-investment ratio under its General Scheme and a 1:2 ratio for targeted initiatives such as the Food Security and Environmental & Social Impact Schemes.

    SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said that MyCIF has been a game-changer for MSME growth, providing much-needed capital that is often a challenge to access through traditional channels. “The Sabah roadshow is integral to MyCIF’s national outreach, designed to expand awareness of alternative financing among businesses across Malaysia,” he said.

    “It provides entrepreneurs a direct insight into how ECF, P2P and MyCIF can fuel their growth at every stage.”

    “The government, through MyCIF, continues to support MSMEs as key engines of growth, innovation and job creation. This is evident in the RM40 million allocation under Budget 2025 to further expand access to ECF and P2P financing nationwide,” he said. Invest Sabah Chief Executive Officer Dr. Firdausi Suffian welcomed the collaboration with the SC.

    “Partnering with the SC in this event has enabled Invest Sabah to amplify its efforts in empowering local entrepreneurs. This roadshow is a vital platform for MSMEs in Sabah to gain insights and forge connections that can help propel their businesses forward,” he said.

    As of 2024, total funds raised through MyCIF co-investments alongside private investments have surpassed RM6 billion, enabling businesses to access funding via ECF and P2P financing platforms. MyCIF has attracted 4.1 times private investments for every ringgit co-invested, demonstrating a strong crowding-in effect.

    Over the past six years, MyCIF has played a pivotal role in improving access to alternative financing, fostering the growth of over 9,500 MSMEs in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
    This reflects the continued confidence and growing interest from both investors and MSMEs in alternative financing avenues. For more information on MyCIF, visit https://www.sc.com.my/mycif.

  • Alliance Bank introduces biodiversity module in AEIOU financial literacy programme

    Alliance Bank introduces biodiversity module in AEIOU financial literacy programme

    The introduction of the biodiversity module into Alliance Bank’s AEIOU Financial Literacy Programme to primary school students in Sabah was attended by 128 primary school students from 17 schools across Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Tuaran.

    Carrying the theme ‘AEIOU for Responsible Living: Smarter Finances, Caring for Nature, Greener Choices’, the biodiversity module of the programme was delivered in collaboration with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Malaysia and supported by the Sabah State Treasury Department (JBNS) and the Ministry of Education.

    The programme, which began on July 5 and ended on July 26, was conducted through practical workshops and interactive simulations that provided students with the opportunity to explore the field of environmentally friendly entrepreneurship, better known as ‘ecopreneurship’.

    The highlight of the programme was the AEIOU Sabah Biodiversity Challenge’ where students aged 9-12 competed fiercely to win the competition. The finalists successfully demonstrated their knowledge while playing the ‘Eco Heroes’ board game, where their creativity, understanding of money management and sustainability awareness were put to the test.

    SK St Catherine from Kota Kinabalu, was crowned the champion of the Biodiversity Challenge and won a cash prize of RM5,000, a trophy, a medal, and a certificate of achievement for presenting an interesting story on the concept of money management and biodiversity preservation through their recycling program of reusing milk boxes.

    SK St Anthony came in second place and took home a cash prize of RM3,000, a trophy, a medal, and a certificate of participation. While SK St Agnes came in third place and took home RM1,000, a trophy, a medal, and a certificate.

    The AEIOU programme, which was launched in 2015, is recognised by the Ministry of Education Malaysia and supported by Bank Negara Malaysia, based on the concept of fostering financial skills among young Malaysians.

    The prize-giving ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Tuan Wong Kah Woh, Deputy Minister of Education, and was attended by nearly 142 students and 38 teachers.

    According to YB Wong, “The overwhelming response from the students and the encouraging number of participation is proof that the message of nature conservation has truly touched their hearts.”

    He added, “I would like to commend Alliance Bank for its continued commitment to fostering biodiversity awareness among the younger generation. As the saying goes, “As the twig is bent, so grows the tree”, it is important for us to provide knowledge and awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity from a young age so that they can become responsible environmental stewards in the future.”

    Meanwhile, Alliance Bank Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. Dr. Aaron Sum said, “I am confident that with this kind of programme, students will realise that their daily activities and decisions have an impact on the environment and through this understanding, they will be able to develop a responsible attitude towards the environment.”

    He added, “I am very proud of all the students who participated in the AEIOU Sabah Biodiversity Challenge and hope that what they have learned will be put into practice and shared with other friends and family.”

    The prize giving ceremony was also attended by representatives from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots Malaysia. Its President, TP Lim conveyed his appreciation and said, “We are pleased to share the success of the recently concluded biodiversity module developed in collaboration with Alliance Bank. This partnership has been instrumental in expanding environmental awareness among schoolchildren and strengthening our commitment to biodiversity conservation.

    Since its launch in 2015, the AEIOU Challenge Programme has reached over 180,000 primary school students through its seven editions. The programme also provides community outreach, ensuring that all children have access to financial education resources. Students can continue their financial learning journey through the AEIOU mobile app, which provides financial education videos and digital comics. The acquisition of these resources supports the key objectives of the Ministry of Education’s 2027 School Curriculum framework, prioritising the importance of lifelong learning.

  • Standard Chartered and Alibaba Group partners to propel AI development

    Standard Chartered and Alibaba Group partners to propel AI development

    Standard Chartered (“the Bank”) and Alibaba Group Holding Limited (“Alibaba” or “Alibaba Group”) have entered into a strategic partnership, utilising Alibaba Cloud’s AI technologies to accelerate the pace at which the financial services sector embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    According to the Memorandum of Understanding, Standard Chartered will work with Alibaba Cloud as its strategic partner for AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience. Leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s intelligent solutions and AI technologies, the collaboration aims to help the Bank elevate its competitive edge. This includes developing AI-powered customer service and sales intelligence to raise the bar on customer engagement, automating AI-driven risk management and compliance, and upskilling its talents through AI workshops and certifications.

    The partnership will also support Alibaba Group’s strategic development globally, with Standard Chartered providing a comprehensive range of banking services that is tailored to meet Alibaba Group’s business needs, from financial support, supply chain financing support, cross border fund management solutions, to deepening the collaboration in financial market. Both parties will also actively enhance cooperation in the areas of sustainable development and sustainable finance.

    Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, said: “We are investing heavily in cutting-edge technologies like AI, which are transforming our own business model and reshaping the future of finance. I am excited to build on our existing relationship with Alibaba Group – a global leader in AI and other areas including e-commerce and retail – and advance our shared commitment to transformative innovation. By combining Alibaba Group’s technological prowess with our financial expertise, we look to harness the full potential of AI technologies to advance on our innovation agenda while also creating long-term value for our clients, colleagues, and communities.”

    Eddie Wu, CEO of Alibaba Group, added: “From education to healthcare and scientific research, AI has already shown its potential to drive transformational change. We are thrilled to partner with Standard Chartered, a global leader in financial services, to shape the transformation in the financial sector. Through this strategic alliance, we will combine Alibaba’s technological expertise with Standard Chartered’s deep industry knowledge to unlock new possibilities.”

  • Conlay Signature Suites by E&O offers move-in ready luxury

    Conlay Signature Suites by E&O offers move-in ready luxury

    Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O), in partnership with Japan’s leading real estate company, Mitsui Fudosan Group, has officially launched Conlay Signature Suites, the second and final phase of its landmark Conlay development.

    Developed on 1.44 acres of freehold land, the project comprises two phases, with the initial phase titled Conlay Residences and the higher second phase, Conlay Signature Suites. The development is positioned across the uppermost floors of the 51-storey tower, offering discerning buyers a refined collection of 194 residences, with built-ups ranging from 635 to 3,617 square feet, in 1-bedroom to 3+1-bedroom penthouse configurations.

    Priced between RM 1.52 million to RM 12 million, each unit is designed to take full advantage of unobstructed city views, golf course view and is fitted with premium finishes, exclusive fittings, and spacious layouts suited for modern cosmopolitan living. Under a build-and-sell concept, the Conlay Signature Suites are delivered fully furnished and in move-in condition to ensure a seamless ownership experience.

    Kok Tuck Cheong, Managing Director of E&O Berhad said, “The Conlay Signature Suites represent the culmination of our vision for the project, an elevated lifestyle offering, in every sense of the word. This launch reaffirms our belief that there is still strong appetite in the market for well-located, thoughtfully designed homes that offer not just quality, but distinction”.

    Crafted by the internationally acclaimed Kerry Hill Architects, in partnership with award winning GDP Architects and with landscape design by Seksan Design, Conlay by E&O has a Gross Development Value (GDV) of RM 968 million and combines timeless resort-inspired design with urban sophistication.

    Market response to Conlay by E&O has been encouraging. To date, Conlay Residences has been fully sold, while the newly introduced Signature Suites has already recorded a 40% take-up since its soft launch in May this year. This reflects sustained demand for well-conceived, high-end residences in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre.

    Mr Masayoshi Saito, Managing Director of Mitsui Fudosan (Asia) Malaysia, added, “We take great pride in joining forces with E&O to bring Conlay to life, a project that exemplifies our shared dedication to delivering sophisticated urban living experiences.”

    “This partnership combines Mitsui Fudosan’s global vision with E&O’s strong heritage in hospitality and design, creating a truly iconic address for discerning buyers in Kuala Lumpur” he said.

    The Conlay by E&O is supported by an extensive suite of lifestyle and wellness facilities spread across Levels 11 and 36, including heated infinity pools, gymnasiums, themed communal spaces, a library, billiard and music rooms, and sky dining. A dedicated lifestyle and F&B level on the 50th floor further elevates the living experience.

    Residents will also enjoy 24-hour on-demand concierge services, which includes access to a personal chef for private dinners, housekeeping, food and newspaper delivery, pre-arrival shopping, car hires, and basic unit maintenance services.

    Kok added that a premier F&B brand is expected to open on Level 50 in the coming months.
    To reflect E&O’s commitment to creating developments that are both luxurious and responsible, this project has received provisional GreenRE Gold certification. The project incorporates extensive sustainability measures throughout its design and construction, including energy-efficient fittings, natural ventilation systems, and environmentally certified materials.

    Located within easy walking distance from the Conlay MRT station, the development enjoys seamless connectivity to Kuala Lumpur’s premier shopping and lifestyle precincts including Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang and KLCC.

    “Every detail of the Signature Suites is inspired by our commitment to hospitality and craftsmanship. We believe the Conlay Signature Suites will appeal to those seeking both legacy and lifestyle,” said Kok.

  • Manulife Investments launches Shariah Dynamic Leaders Fund

    Manulife Investments announced today the launch of the Manulife Shariah Dynamic Leaders Fund (“the Fund”), the firm’s first Shariah-compliant global equity fund in Malaysia. The Fund focuses on investing in the world’s industry-leading companies that can generate consistent quality growth, aiming to help investors capture potential equity market upside and strong risk-adjusted returns.

    Through an actively managed strategy, the Manulife Shariah Dynamic Leaders Fund seeks current and future industry leaders in their respective sectors amid a dynamic business and economic environment. It targets companies with strong brand recognition, attractive growth profiles, and the ability to deliver consistent margins and profitability – traits that support long-term capital appreciation with appropriate levels of risk. This active approach is essential in selecting the 40 to 60 large cap companies for the portfolio, while aligning with Shariah Principles of investing. The Fund also combines top-down macro views, bottom-up insights, and in-depth risk and factor positioning to manage market weakness.

    Jason Chong, CEO, Manulife Investments, Malaysia, said: “At Manulife Investments, we are committed to bringing the most appropriate solutions that can help investors in Malaysia achieve their long-term financial goals, while also addressing their investment preference. As markets continue to evolve, building a portfolio that seeks to participate in market upside while managing downside risk has become increasingly important. This fund is designed to identify resilient companies with strong fundamentals and sustainable growth drivers, guided by the disciplined approach of our experienced investment team.”

    “The Fund’s unconstrained approach aims to maximize returns across varying market cycles by dynamically allocating into secular, cyclical, and stable growth companies. The selection of companies will also be determined by the continuous evaluation of the effectiveness of the portfolio in turning risk into reward. As such, we believe the fund could potentially deliver consistent and better investment outcomes for investors in Malaysia,” he also added.

    The Manulife Shariah Dynamic Leaders Fund strives to achieve greater capital growth by investing at least 80% of its net assets in a concentrated portfolio of equity and equity related securities of large capitalisation companies (i.e. companies with a minimum market capitalisation of US$10 billion) listed globally (including in emerging markets from time to time), including, but not limited to, common stocks and depositary receipts.