Inovatif

Category: lifestyle

  • foodpanda Malaysia launches nationwide rider safety programme

    foodpanda Malaysia launches nationwide rider safety programme

    foodpanda Malaysia launches pandasafe, a comprehensive and long-term safety initiative designed to protect and empower delivery partners through a comprehensive, long-term safety ecosystem across the country. This pioneering programme is the result of a strategic coalition with key public and private sector partners including Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia), Hong Leong Bank, PERKESO, and Hong Leong Yamaha Motor.

    The launch ceremony held at foodpanda’s headquarters, was officiated by YB Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport Malaysia. In his keynote, YB Anthony Loke lauded the programme as a proactive step forward in supporting Malaysia’s growing gig economy workforce.

    “The safety of our delivery partners must be treated as a national priority,” said YB Anthony Loke. “I applaud foodpanda and its partners for stepping up with a long-term, structured programme that goes beyond awareness. pandasafe sets a new benchmark for how companies can take responsibility in making our roads safer for gig workers.”

    More than just a campaign, pandasafe is a data-driven, multi-touchpoint safety ecosystem — combining education, technology, behavioural science, and financial literacy to build a long-term culture of road safety for delivery partners.

    According to Tan Ming Luk, Managing Director of foodpanda Malaysia, pandasafe is a permanent commitment to rider wellbeing, it is not a one-off initiative.

    “Our delivery partners are the heart of foodpanda,” said Tan Ming Luk. “Every safely completed order and every rider who gets home safely is a success. With pandasafe, we’re embedding safety into every aspect of our operations, every day. It’s not a seasonal campaign; it’s a permanent shift in how we operate. This is our commitment to our riders, their families, and the communities we serve.”

    Under the pandasafe initiative, foodpanda will roll out a range of integrated safety measures, including:

    • Structured rider training programmes focused on safe riding techniques
    • Telematics tools to help riders monitor and improve their riding habits
    • Road safety modules and first aid training, with Allianz Malaysia providing First Response and CPR training, equipping riders with the knowledge to act swiftly in emergencies
    • Social protection education and P-Hailing Safety Induction training, conducted in collaboration with PERKESO, ensuring riders are protected and informed under Malaysia’s safety net framework
    • Defensive riding techniques and braking skills training, supported by Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, enhancing rider control and road awareness
    • Financial literacy and financial safety programmes, led by Hong Leong Bank, to help riders manage their income, plan for the future, and achieve greater financial wellbeing

    These components are designed to work in tandem, creating a holistic framework that not only reduces risk but also builds long-term wellbeing for riders across the country.

    “Safety is not just a policy — it’s a culture,” added Tan. “And building that culture takes the right partnerships and the willingness to do things differently if it means ensuring our riders get home safely. That’s why this coalition matters.”

    With pandasafe, foodpanda Malaysia is setting a bold new precedent moving beyond awareness campaigns to a lasting culture of protection, empowerment, and accountability in the gig economy.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.”

  • MyCIF surpasses RM1 Billion co-investment mark

    The Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) has exceeded RM1 billion in total co-investments since its inception, a major a milestone in supporting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

    MyCIF, set up by the Ministry of Finance under Budget 2019, has been a pivotal force in the financing landscape, utilising equity crowdfunding (ECF) and peer-to-peer (P2P) financing platforms to channel funds into MSMEs.

    Since its inception, more than 9,500 MSMEs have benefited from MyCIF’s co-investments.
    In its Annual Performance Report 2024 released today, MyCIF said total co-investments reached RM1.19 billion as of end-2024, with RM264 million invested in 2024 alone.

    MyCIF has attracted 4.1 times in private sector funding for every ringgit invested, demonstrating a strong crowding-in effect. This saw a 21.4% increase in total private investment.

    The RM1.19 billion total co-investments by MyCIF represents 4.6 times of RM260 million total funds disbursed from the Government to date into the program, demonstrating efficient use of public funds.

    In addition to the General Scheme 1:4 co-investment, MyCIF continues to bolster strategic and underserved segments of the economy through targeted schemes. These include Food Security and Environmental & Social Enterprise Schemes with preferential 1:2 co-investment ratio.
    Co-investments in these segments rose to RM7 million in 2024 from RM3.4 million in 2023, reflecting MyCIF’s strengthened commitment to targeted investment areas.

    Under Budget 2025, MyCIF has earmarked up to RM40 million for promoting innovative Islamic risk-sharing financing through ECF and P2P platforms.

    This allocation complements existing MyCIF schemes and aims to encourage greater adoption of Islamic financing structures (Musharakah and Mudharabah concepts) by offering the following incentives:

    • MyCIF will invest on a first-loss basis in ECF and P2P campaigns based on Islamic risk-sharing models; and
    • For P2P campaigns, MyCIF will additionally invest at 0% financing rate.

    In July 2024, MyCIF introduced the Environmental & Social Impact Scheme to support impact-driven businesses in environment, community, food security, education, and healthcare sectors. The scheme also extends to MSMEs financing Waqf asset development projects within these focus areas.

    To enhance awareness and access to financing, MyCIF hosted its inaugural Nationwide Roadshow in Penang in February 2025, themed “Empowering Financing, Advancing Growth.” The event, supported by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), aimed to raise MyCIF’s profile and benefits among MSMEs in the northern states of Malaysia.

  • Avoiding obvious mistakes: Octa broker breaks down security tools in trading

    Avoiding obvious mistakes: Octa broker breaks down security tools in trading

    There are multiple risk factors in trading, and navigating them requires patience and experience. To alleviate that pressure, modern trading platforms offer some highly practical tools that help to manage risks and avoid losses. Unfortunately, many traders are either unaware of these tools or have got used to trading without them. In this article, the experts at Octa, a globally regulated and trusted broker since 2011, break down some noteworthy features that seasoned traders use to mitigate the risks and improve their outcomes.

    Common challenges
    Trading can be a very intense experience. Each trade puts knowledge and skills to the test, creating a decisive stress factor. It’s like taking an exam with a limited time over and over, but the test questions and conditions are different each time.

    Octa leverages its extensive market experience to offer transparent trading conditions and fast, reliable withdrawals. The broker’s trustworthiness and transparency reduce the cognitive load involved in trading and allow traders to fully concentrate on their performance.

    The tools at hand
    Any trader strives to get additional income with each session, and the high significance of financial outcomes can get on their nerves. Luckily, modern trading platforms have a few simple yet efficient tools that help to automate the routine and improve outcomes.

    To simplify the trading process, Octa broker creates a reliable, secure trading environment and introduces accessible and efficient features to its platform. Below are some of the tools any trader should consider to achieve more consistent results.

    1. Stop loss and take profit
    Stop-loss and take-profit orders are by far the most popular and accessible risk management tools in trading. These tools automatically close a position once it hits a predefined mark, either cutting losses or locking in gains—just as their names suggest.

    Most trading tutorials emphasise the importance of regularly using these orders as part of the risk management routine. However, Octa broker’s survey showed that between 29% and 35% of traders apply risk management tools only when attempting a hazardous trade. In most cases, they trust their trading intuition to exit the trade on time. Unfortunately, this approach is risky and can cause significant losses. Remember, risk management tools are there to be used.

    2. Trailing stop and break even
    These tools allow traders to set up dynamic, market-sensitive exit points to secure the gains already made in a trade. While a standard stop-loss order is static and usually applied at the initial stage of a trade, trailing stop automatically adjusts the exit level as the market price moves in the trader’s favour, protecting profits while giving the trade room to run.

    Similarly, a break-even order moves the stop-loss level to the trade’s entry price (or slightly above or below to cover commissions or fees) once the price has moved a predetermined amount in the trader’s favour, thereby eliminating the risk of financial loss on that particular trade.

    These tools automatically close the position at a certain price level to protect profits, allowing traders to set up a dynamic, market-sensitive stop-loss order. While a standard stop-loss order is static, both trailing stop and break-even orders follow the price as long as it moves in favour of the open position.

    Octa broker highly recommends these intuitive and flexible tools available on the broker’s proprietary platform. They offer greater control over open positions, reduce stress, and enhance resilience in unpredictable market conditions.

    3. Notifications and calculators
    However basic, math in trading is always present as a hidden but instrumental mechanism, and a solid understanding of it remains crucial. Modern trading platforms offer dedicated features to automate calculations and reduce cognitive load.

    For example, position sizing algorithms and automated margin calculators help traders maintain the needed level of exposure. They take into account the user’s current equity amount and desired risk tolerance. An automated tool can calculate how many lots to trade within a specific currency pair so that no more than 1% of the account balance is at risk on any single trade. Maintaining this disciplined and detail-focused approach manually would be very cumbersome, but luckily, the appropriate tools can streamline the process.

    On the other hand, automated alert systems provide a psychological safety net for emotional traders who are prone to anxiety. These systems monitor charts around the clock and notify traders when specific setups or market conditions emerge. Instead of staring at screens for hours, traders who use such tools can focus on strategy refinement or other analyses, knowing they won’t miss critical entry or exit opportunities.

    Modern risk-management tools allow for easier and less nerve-wracking sessions while improving overall outcomes. Brokers that wield technology and offer their clients the most accessible, up-to-date solutions create a link of trust and understanding that helps both brokers and traders reach their respective goals. With this in mind, Octa broker recommends choosing a trusted and proven broker, rather than one that simply makes the most promises.

  • SMCCI and Maybank partner to boost SME growth in the halal economy across JS-SEZ and ASEAN

    SMCCI and Maybank partner to boost SME growth in the halal economy across JS-SEZ and ASEAN

    The Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI) and Maybank Singapore Limited (Maybank) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Halal-focused initiatives and support the growth of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and Malay/Muslim-owned enterprises in Singapore and Malaysia. This partnership will focus particularly on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), and extend across the wider ASEAN region.

    Under this strategic partnership, SMCCI and Maybank will jointly organise events, conferences and trade visits to facilitate market access, knowledge-sharing, and Halal capability development. Leveraging its regional insights and community ties in Johor, SMCCI will provide guidance to its members on business setup, market entry, workspace solutions, policy updates and market intelligence. Through this partnership, around 300 SMCCI members stand to benefit from enhanced support and expanded regional opportunities.

    Maybank will complement SMCCI’s efforts with its full suite of banking solutions, while continuing its successful collaboration through the Bank’s myimpact Microbusiness Programme, which empowers underserved entrepreneurs through business training, mentorship, and seed funding.

    “We see rising demand from our members to explore opportunities in the JS-SEZ and the region especially in the Halal sector,” said Dr Abdul Malik Hassan, President of SMCCI. “By partnering with Maybank, we are strengthening the support ecosystem for entrepreneurs that are ready to take that step. Together, we aim to make cross-border growth more accessible, and assist Malay/Muslim-owned enterprises in Singapore navigate the regional landscape.”

    Sazzali Sabandi, Head of Islamic Banking at Maybank in Singapore said, “The Halal economy is a fast-growing sector with enormous potential across ASEAN. Beyond Malaysia and Indonesia, we are seeing emerging interests from Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia in gaining a slice of the global Halal market that is estimated to reach USD5 trillion by 2030. With Maybank’s presence in all 10 ASEAN countries, we are able to support SMEs with the right tools and financial solutions to seize cross-border opportunities. We are proud of this collaboration with SMCCI as it is centred on Maybank’s purpose of humanising financial services, supported by our values-driven platform.”

  • RAM BCI: Businesses still pessimistic about their three-month outlook in 2Q 2025

    The RAM Business Confidence Index (BCI) dropped further to 40.0 in 2Q 2025 (1Q 2025: 41.1). This marks the second consecutive quarter of negative sentiment on business prospects, which aligns with the rapidly escalating risks in global trade stemming from rising US protectionism policy. Three out of five sub-indices declined Q-o-Q, namely sales, capital investment and capacity utilisation.

     

    Consistent with the overall cautious and subdued business outlook, rising cost of doing business remains the most pressing issue, with 80% of firms citing it as top concern. More competition and weak economic conditions also pose significant hurdles, with 63% of firms identifying them as key challenges. The share of firms citing supply chain issues also jumped 11 percentage-points to 40% in this survey.

    Impact of US tariffs under spotlight

    A special focus for this quarter’s survey, which was conducted from 29 May 2025 to 28 June 2025 polling 33 firms, was the impact of the US tariffs on Malaysian goods. Around two-thirds of firms surveyed anticipate a negative impact from these tariffs, of which a significant 27% of firms expect a major negative impact, with firms anticipating moderate and minor impact each at 18%. Sales and revenue topped the list of business aspects likely to be hit, followed by profit margins, supply chains and cash flow.

    In response, firms are mainly adopting cost-related strategies to mitigate tariff impacts. About 42% are focusing on cutting operational expenses, while 39% are adjusting pricing strategies to remain competitive.

    Demand for government support
    Businesses are calling for more assistance from the government, especially in terms of better access to financing and working capital. Grants and direct subsidies are equally in demand to help offset the challenges posed by trade tensions.

    The latest RAM BCI survey highlights the growing pressures Malaysian businesses face from rising costs, intensified competition and external trade disruptions such as US tariffs. Chris W.K. Lee, RAM Holdings Berhad Group CEO and Executive Director said, “While businesses remain cautious, it is encouraging to see that companies are still investing and hiring. It is crucial that government and industry stakeholders work together to respond to the new challenges for businesses to survive and thrive.”