Intra-Asean Trade Booming
“Over the years we have seen a gradual increase in
intra-Asean trade and investment. We had started
with about 10% intra-Asean trade 20 years ago, and
now it is about 24% to 25%, which is a big jump in
terms of intra-Asean trade,” he told reporters after
officiating the Asean Business Forum 2015 yesterday.
“This year, we are forecasting 2% to 3% growth in trade. We believe the fast-paced growth of Asean
economies relative to others in the world, and trade growth in ASEAN is going to be higher than the global
average,” he added, noting that the average global trade grew by 5.9% last year. In 2013, intra-Asean trade
amounted to US$608.6 billion, accounting for 24.2% of total trade of the region, compared with US$458.1
billion in 2008, when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint was first implemented.
Commenting on intra-Asean investment, he expects the market share of the global foreign direct investment
(FDI) flow to gradually increase between 11% to 12%, from its current 10%.The total FDI inflows to Asean
amounted to US$122.4 billion in 2013, representing the highest FDI flows into a region, globally, in which
US$21.32 billion came from investments within Asean members.
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Intra-Asean trade which has been on an increasing
trend over the years is expected to surpass the
global average by 2% to 3% this year, said Minister of
International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa
Mohamed.
Mustapa said he expects to see more investments coming from Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the
Philippines this year, due to the country’s continuous economic stability and improvement in business
landscape. Last year, the top-three Asean markets for Malaysia were Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia,
with each recording 51%, 19% and 15% of the country’s total export share.The Asean market accounted for
26.8% of Malaysia’s total trade last year, valued at RM389.03 billion with an increase of 3.9% from 2013.
“We see this phenomenon growing in the next few years, more intra-Asean trade and more intra-Asean
investments coming in,” he said, noting the Asean Business Forum is part of the government’s initiative to
build awareness on the opportunities within Asean.
The Forum which aims to give participants an insight into Asean’s market needs and prospects, was
attended by over 1,000 participants from all over the country.
Source : MITI, 13 March 2015
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
01
MALAYSIA
Selected Key Indicators, 2014 & 2015
2014
(preliminary)
14.0
13.6
2.9
34,123
6.0
6.0
125.1
-20.5
3.2
Labour force (million persons)
Employment (million persons)
Unemployment (as % of labour force)
Per Capita Income (RM)
Real GDP (Growth %)
Real GNI (Growth %)
Trade Balance (Goods)
Trade Balance (Services)
CPI (Consumer Price Index)
2015
(forecast)
14.4
14.0
3.0
35,572
4.5 ~ 5.5
5.2
94.2
-16.4
2.0 ~ 3.0
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia & Bank Negara Malaysia
58,000
Sales Value
Salaries and Wages Paid
3,050
2,950
55,000
2,900
54,000
2,800
2,850
2,750
53,000
2,700
52,000
2,650
2,600
51,000
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2014
Jan
2015
1,040
1,034
('000)
1,035
1,030
1,025
RM million
3,000
56,000
3,000
2,950
2,900
1,029
2,850
2,886.3
2,800
2,750
2,781
RM
RM million
57,000
3,100
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Monthly Manufacturing, Jan 2014 - Jan 2015
2,700
2,650
1,020
No of Employees
Average Salary per Employee
2,600
1,015
2,550
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
2014
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2015
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
02
Sales Value and Growth for Selected
Manufacturing Industries, Jan 2014 and Jan 2015
Sales Value
(RM million)
Increase
Jan-14
Jan-15
RM million
%
Manufacture of electrical capacitors and resistors
2,236.3
3,189.3
953.0
42.6
Manufacture of consumer electronics
2,295.4
2,624.7
329.3
14.3
Manufacture of plastics in primary forms
1,283.0
1,600.4
317.4
24.7
Manufacture of passenger cars
2,103.0
2,405.9
302.9
14.4
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Industrial Production Index, Jan 2014 - Jan 2015
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
130
123.5
119.5
120
118.8
110
110.5
100
90
IPI
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity
80
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2014
2015
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Export & Import Price Index, Jan 2014 - Jan 2015
Export Price Index
Import Price Index
111
107.2
109.8
110
109
110.0
109.2 109.3
109.0
107.1
107.1
107.0
107.0
108.8
108.4
108
107.1
107.0
106.9
106.9
107.6
106.9
107.0
106.9
106.9
106.8
106.8
107
107.0
106.7
106.6 106.5
106.7
106.7
106.6
106
105.5 105.4
105
106.5
106.5
106.4
104
106.3
103
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
2014
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2015
106.2
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
2014
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2015
03
Did You Know?
Malaysia’s Trade in Wood, Jan 2014 - Jan 2015
Exports
3,000
2,473
2,147
137
140
2,261
2,142
2,066
2,029
2,142
2,000
2,075
1,952
1,865
1,691
1,500
120
RM million
2,500
RM million
Imports
160
117
110
101
100
85
80
80
68
60
1,000
59
54
47
43
40
500
20
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
HS Code : 4403 (Wood, in the rough)
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
1,400
1,275.2
RM million
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
232.4
200
211.7
160.5
China
Japan
94.4
0
India
Taiwan
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Viet Nam
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Top Five Wood Export Destinations from Malaysia,
2014
HS Code : 4403 (Wood, in the rough)
Malaysia’s Wood Production 2013
5.0
million cubic metre (m3)
4.5
4.0
4.08
3.5
3.0
2.50
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.38
0.5
0.0
Logs
Sawn Timber
Plywood
0.08
Mouldings
Source : Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia (Forestry)
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
04
‘ASEAN and You’
Understanding ASEAN : 7 Things You Need to Know
1.
Together, ASEAN’s ten member states form an economic powerhouse.
If ASEAN were a single country, it would already be the seventh-largest economy in the world, with a
combined GDP of $2.4 trillion in 2013 . It is projected to rank as the fourth largest economy by 2050.
Labour-force expansion and productivity improvements drive GDP growth—and ASEAN is making
impressive strides in both areas. Home to more than 600 million people, it has a larger population than
the European Union or North America. ASEAN has the third-largest labour force in the world, behind
China and India; its youthful population is producing a demographic dividend. Perhaps most important,
almost 60 per cent of total growth since 1990 has come from productivity gains, as sectors such as
manufacturing, retail, telecommunications, and transportation grow more efficient.
ASEAN is not a monolithic market.
ASEAN is a diverse group. Indonesia represents almost 40 per cent of the region’s economic output
and is a member of the G20, while Myanmar, emerging from decades of isolation, is still a frontier
market working to build its institutions. Although ASEAN is becoming more integrated, investors should
be aware of local preferences and cultural sensitivities; they cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all strategy
across such widely varying markets.
3.
Macroeconomic stability has provided a platform for growth.
Memories of the 1997 Asian financial crisis linger, leading many outsiders to
expect that volatility
comes with the territory. But the region proved to be remarkably resilient in the aftermath of the 2008
global financial crisis, and today it is in a much stronger fiscal position: government debt is under 50 per
cent of GDP—far lower than the 90 per cent share in the United Kingdom or 105 per cent in the United
States.
4.
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
2.
ASEAN is a growing hub of consumer demand.
ASEAN has dramatically outpaced the rest of the world on growth in GDP per capita since the late 1970s.
Income growth has remained strong since 2000, with average annual real gains of more than 5 per cent.
Already some 67 million households in ASEAN states are part of the “consuming class,” with incomes
exceeding the level at which they can begin to make significant discretionary purchases. That number
could almost double to 125 million households by 2025, making ASEAN a pivotal consumer market of
the future.
5.
ASEAN is well positioned in global trade flows.
ASEAN is the fourth-largest exporting region in the world, trailing only the European Union, North
America, and China/Hong Kong. It accounts for 7 per cent of global exports—and as its member states
have developed more sophisticated manufacturing capabilities, their exports have diversified.
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
05
Understanding ASEAN : 7 Things You Need to Know
(cont’d)
The region sits at the crossroads of many global flows. Singapore is currently the fourth-highest-ranked
country in the McKinsey Global Institute’s Connectedness Index, which tracks inflows and outflows of
goods, services, finance, and people, as well as the underlying flows of data and communication that
enable all types of cross border exchanges. Malaysia (18th) and Thailand (36th) also rank among the top
50 most connected countries. ASEAN is well positioned to benefit from growth in all these global flows.
6.
Intraregional trade could significantly deepen with implementation of the ASEAN Economic
Community, but there are hurdles.
Some 25 per cent of the region’s exports of goods go to other ASEAN partners, a share that has remained
roughly constant since 2003.
While deeper integration among its member states remains a work in progress, ASEAN has forged freetrade agreements elsewhere with partners that include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and
South Korea. It is also party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade negotiations that
would form a mega trading bloc comprising more than three billion people, a combined GDP of about $21
trillion, and some 30 per cent of world trade.
7.
ASEAN is home to many globally competitive companies.
In 2006, ASEAN was home to the headquarters of 49 companies in the Forbes Global 2000. By 2013,
that number had risen to 74. ASEAN includes 227 of the world’s companies with more than $1 billion
in revenues, or 3 per cent of the world’s total .Singapore is a standout, ranking fifth in the world for
corporate-headquarters density and first for foreign subsidiaries.
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Intraregional trade in goods—along with other types of cross-border flows—is likely to increase with
implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community integration plan, which aims to allow the freer
movement of goods, services, skilled labour, and capital. Progress has been uneven, however. While tariffs
on goods are now close to zero in many sectors among the original six member states (Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand), progress on liberalization of services and investment
has been slower, and nontariff barriers remain a stumbling block to freer trade.
Consistent with this growth, foreign direct investment in ASEAN has boomed, surpassing its precrisis
levels. In fact, the ASEAN-5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) attracted more
foreign direct investment than China ($128 billion versus $117 billion) in 2013. In addition to attracting
multinationals, ASEAN has become a launching pad for new companies; the region now accounts for 38
per cent of Asia’s market for initial public offerings.
Despite their distinct cultures, histories, and languages, the ten member states of ASEAN share a focus on
jobs and prosperity. Household purchasing power is rising, transforming the region into the next frontier of
consumer growth. Maintaining the current trajectory will require enormous investment in infrastructure
and human-capital development—a challenge for any emerging region but a necessary step toward ASEAN’s
goal of becoming globally competitive in a wide range of industries. The ASEAN Economic Community
offers an opportunity to create a seamless regional market and production base. If its implementation is
successful, ASEAN could prove to be a case in which the whole actually does exceed the sum of its parts.
Source : McKinsey & Co
MITI’s ASEAN Portal can be accessed via http://www.miti.gov.my/
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
06
International Report
Macau Economic Indicators
GDP
Q3 2014
-2.1%
4.8%
103.4
Inflation Rate
Jan 2015
Jan 2015
Unemployment Rate
Jan 2015
GDP per capita
2013
Source : www.tradingeconomics.com
Malaysia’s Trade with Macau, 2004 - 2014
100
Imports, 91.2
90
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
uSD 54.1 k
1.70%
Consumer Price Index
RM million
80
70
60
Exports, 85.6
50
40
30
20
10
0
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Source : Department of Statistics, Malaysia
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
07
Malaysian Ringgit Exchange Rate with
Euro and Singapore Dollar
1 EUR = RM
1 SGD = RM
4.60
1 SGD = RM 2.65
4.50
2.70
2.65
4.40
4.30
2.60
4.20
2.55
4.10
1 EUR = RM 4.08
4.00
3.90
3.80
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2014
Feb
2.50
2.45
2015
Source : Bank Negara, Malaysia
Gold Prices, 26 December 2014 - 13 March 2015
US$/Gram
43.0
Gold
41.0
40.0
39.0
37.8
37.0
37.0
6 Mar
27 Feb
20 Feb
13 Feb
6 Feb
30 Jan
23 Jan
16 Jan
9 Jan
2 Jan
26 Dec
36.0
13 Mar
38.0
Source : http://www.gold.org/investments/statistics/gold_price_chart/
Silver Prices, 26 December 2014 - 13 March 2015
US$/Oz
18.5
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
42.0
Silver
18.0
17.5
17.0
16.5
16.1
16.0
15.5
15.6
15.0
13 Mar
6 Mar
27 Feb
20 Feb
13 Feb
6 Feb
30 Jan
23 Jan
16 Jan
9 Jan
2 Jan
26 Dec
14.5
Source : http://www.hardassetsalliance.com/charts/silver-price/usd/oz
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
08
Number and Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin (PCOs)
Number of Certificates
18 Jan 2015
25 Jan 2015
1 Feb 2015 8 Feb 2015 15 Feb 2015 22 Feb 2015
AANZFTA
809
963
883
663
1,001
AIFTA
584
531
558
559
521
1 Mar 2015
8 Mar 2015
467
835
658
485
467
561
AJCEP
185
170
243
241
254
116
172
154
ATIGA
4,297
3,775
4,693
4,081
4,287
2,648
3,695
4,107
ACFTA
1,429
1,150
1,232
793
920
790
1,659
1,454
AKFTA
629
767
760
665
823
610
643
765
MICECA
266
302
311
307
344
236
278
297
MNZFTA
3
6
13
7
6
2
5
1
MCFTA
74
39
62
56
53
27
56
42
MAFTA
376
417
450
341
481
206
360
259
MJEPA
835
874
972
817
847
608
775
823
MPCEPA
160
160
158
153
130
139
150
173
GSP
112
163
196
104
152
73
170
104
Notes: The preference giving countries under the GSP scheme are Japan, Switzerland, the Russian Federation, Norway and Cambodia.
MPCEPA: Malaysia-Pakistan Closer Economic Partnership
Agreement (Implemented since 1 January 2008)
ATIGA: ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement
(Implemented since 1 May 2010)
AJCEP: ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(Implemented since 1 February 2009)
ACFTA: ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 1 July 2003)
AKFTA: ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 1 July 2006)
AIFTA: ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 1 January 2010)
MJEPA: Malaysia-Japan Economic Partnership
Agreement (Implemented since 13 July 2006)
MICECA: Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement (Implemented since 1 July 2011)
MNZFTA: Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 1 August 2010)
MCFTA: Malaysia-Chile Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 25 February 2012)
MAFTA: Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 1 January 2013)
Value of Preferential Certificates of Origin
14,000
300
12,000
10,000
200
RM million
RM million
250
150
100
6,000
4,000
50
0
8,000
2,000
18 Jan
25 Jan
1 Feb
8 Feb
15 Feb
22 Feb
1 Mar
8 Mar
AANZFTA
76
86
90
87
92
74
89
73
AIFTA
132
139
143
120
240
122
126
136
AJCEP
75
75
75
104
116
72
55
78
0
25 Jan
1 Feb
8 Feb
15 Feb
22 Feb
1 Mar
8 Mar
4,904
546
773
631
11,127
9,861
4,055
596
ACFTA
303
464
562
505
533
165
865
780
AKFTA
166
184
327
1,064
487
592
1,795
117
450
140
400
120
350
100
300
80
RM million
RM million
18 Jan
ATIGA
60
40
250
200
150
100
50
20
0
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
AANZFTA: ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
(Implemented since 1 January 2010)
0
50
18 Jan
25 Jan
1 Feb
8 Feb
15 Feb
22 Feb
1 Mar
8 Mar
18 Jan
25 Jan
1 Feb
8 Feb
15 Feb
22 Feb
1 Mar
8 Mar
MICECA
39.93
65.37
43.02
58.35
47.23
40.80
132.78
49.74
MJEPA
152
355
157
123
133
116
145
131
MNZFTA
0.09
0.08
0.52
0.25
0.08
0.02
0.13
0.01
MPCEPA
75
20
18
41
17
72
19
52
MCFTA
24.98
9.42
14.72
7.43
8.30
5.61
9.29
6.00
GSP
17
28
24
414
43
14
22
75
MAFTA
96.36
42.20
40.95
27.65
51.15
25.27
36.27
23.40
Source: Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
09
Commodity Prices
Crude
Commodity Petroleum
(per bbl)
Crude
Palm Oil
(per MT)
Raw
Sugar
(per MT)
Rubber
SMR 20
(per MT)
Cocoa
SMC 2
(per MT)
Coal
(per MT)
Scrap Iron
HMS
(per MT)
291.0
1,412.5
2107.8
58.4
270 (high)
250 (low)
5.6 unchanged
0.1
1.2
3.8
4.2
13 Mar 2015
(US$)
44.8
673.5
% change*
9.6
2.7
2014i
54.6 - 107.6
823.3
352.3
1,718.3
2,615.8
59.8
370.0
2013i
88.1 - 108.6
805.5
361.6
2,390.8
1,933.1
..
485.6
Highest and Lowest Prices, 2014/2015
Crude Petroleum
(13 March 2015)
US$44.8 per bbl
Highest
(US$ per bbl)
Lowest
(US$ per bbl)
2015
2 Jan 2015: 53.8
2015
13 Mar 2015: 44.8
2014
13 June 2014: 107.6
2014
26 Dec 2014: 54.6
Average Domestic
Prices, 13 Mar 2015
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Notes: All figures have been rounded to the nearest decimal point
* Refer to % change from the previous week’s price
i Average price in the year except otherwise indicated
n.a Not availble
Billets
(per MT)
RM1,450 - RM1,500
Crude Palm Oil
(13 March 2015)
US$673.5 per MT
Highest
(US$ per MT)
Lowest
(US$ per MT)
2015
16 Jan 2015: 701.0
2015
6 Feb 2015: 621.0
2014
14 Mar 2014: 982.5
2014
26 Dec 2014: 664.0
Steel Bars
(per MT)
RM1,850 - RM1,950
Source : Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysian Cocoa Board,
Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation, Bloomberg and Czarnikow Group.
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
10
Commodity Price Trends
Rubber SMR 20
Crude Palm Oil
1,530
720
1,510
701.0
699.2
700
692.5
696.1
685.0
1,470
682.0
673.5
660
1,490
690.0 689.0
664.0
US$/mt
US$/mt
680
1,520.5
645.0
640
1,470.5
1,453.0
1,450
621.0
1,412.5
1,419.5
1,412.0
1,396.5
1,384.5
1,370
600
1,418.5
1,406.0
1,410
1,390
620
1,438.0
1,426.5
1,430
1,350
26 Dec 2 Jan
9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Feb 6 Mar 13 Mar
26 Dec 2 Jan
9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Feb 6 Mar 13 Mar
29,000
2,300
2,150
2,113.7
2,100
2,124.6
2,117.5
2,050
26,159
2,107.8
21,890
20,798
21,000
19,097
19,207
19,000
2,065.2
20,402
20,916
18,946
2,060.0
17,000
2,000
2,003.9
1,950
15,000
1,958.9
Jan
Feb Mar Apr May Jun
26 Dec 2 Jan
9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Feb 6 Mar 13 Mar
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov Dec
Jan
Feb Mar
2015
* until 13 March 2015
Raw Sugar
Crude Petroleum
360
56
350
54
345.5
340
54.6
53.8
52.8
52
51.7
335.3
330.0
50
326.8
US$/bbl
331.3
330
US$/mt
Jul
2014
1,900
324.3
320
310
26,176
25,215
23,000
2,110.4
26,600
27,202
26,592
24,693
25,000
2,187.8
2,200
US$/mt
27,282
27,000
2,280.4
RM/ tonne
2,250
2,280.4
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Black Pepper
Cocoa
2,350
314.0
300
301.8
290
48
49.8
48.4
49.6
48.2
46
310.8
309.3
50.8
48.7
45.6
44
300.5
291.0
44.8
42
40
280
26 Dec 2 Jan
9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Feb 6 Mar 13 Mar
26 Dec 2 Jan
9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Feb 6 Mar 13 Mar
Source : Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Malaysian Pepper Board, Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation, Bloomberg and Czarnikow Group, World Bank.
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
11
Commodity Price Trends
Aluminium
Copper
2,100
2,056
2,030
7,300
1,990
2,000
7,291
1,839
1,800
1,815
1,727
1,700
1,818
1,751
7,002
6,891
6,900
RM/ tonne
1,946
1,900
1,811
1,909
7,113
7,149
7,100
1,948
RM/ tonne
7,500
6,872
6,713
6,821
6,700
6,650
6,500
6,737
6,674
6,446
6,300
6,100
1,695 1,705
5,900
1,600
5,831
5,700
1,500
5,729
5,500
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2014
Feb
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
2015
* until 9 March 2015
19,118
18,629
18,600
17,000
Feb
2015
58.4
56.9
56.8
56.1
56.0
57.7
15,812
15,678
US$/mt
15,962
15,000
15,807
14,849
14,101
14,204
14,574
54.0
53.5
52.0
51.8
13,000
51.8
51.6
50.0
12,000
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
2014
51.1
51.1
49.9
Feb
2015
48.0
26 Dec 2 Jan
9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30 Jan 6 Feb 13 Feb 20 Feb 27 Feb 6 Mar 13 Mar
Scrap Iron
Iron Ore
360
140.0
130.0
340
128.1
121.4
330.0
320.0 320.0 320.0 320.0 320.0 320.0
120.0
320.0
320.0
300.0
280.0 280.0
270.0
111.8
100.6
100.0
96.1
90.0
92.6
92.7
82.4 81.0
80.0
260.0
260
US$/dmtu
300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0 300.0
114.6
110.0
280
74.0
68.0 68.0
70.0
220
Jan
58.0
18,035
17,374
16,000
240
Dec
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
RM/ tonne
Nov
19,401
18,000
US$/mt
Oct
60.0
19,000
300
Sep
Coal
Nickel
320
Aug
* until 9 March 2015
20,000
14,000
Jul
2014
250.0
Scrap Iron/MT (High)
250.0
240.0
Scrap Iron/MT(Low)
21 Nov 28 Nov 5 Dec 12 Dec 19 Dec 26 Dec 2 Jan
* data not available from 16 - 30 Jan, 20 Feb and 6 Mar 2015
63.0
250.0
60.0
50.0
9 Jan
6 Feb 13 Feb 27 Feb 13 Mar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
2014
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
2015
Source : Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Malaysian Rubber Board, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Malaysian Pepper Board, Malaysian Iron and Steel Industry Federation, Bloomberg and Czarnikow Group, World Bank.
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
12
Success Story
Abdul Raman Saad & Associates (ARSA)
ARSA has an enviable position as a premier company
in the world of Islamic finance.The homegrown company
began operations as an independent commercial entity,
namely ARSA Shariah that was formed in 2008 for the
provision of services related to Shariah Finance. This was
followed with the establishment of ARSA Consultants
in 2010 initially to cater for data compliance and training.
“Due to increasing demand in Islamic finance, locally
and globally and also the aspiration of the Government
of Malaysia to be the Islamic financial hub, coupledwith
the Islamic finance industry being still in its evolution
stage – ARSA saw the potential ofproviding such
services,” said ARSA’s Founder, Datuk Dr Abdul Raman
Saad.Amongst the services are Shariah advisory, which
includes amongst others structuring of facilities
under the Capital Markets and products
development, training, Shariah governance
such as Shariah Audit & Shariah
Review
services
and
also
market
research and provision of anaccredited
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
ARSA develops strategic alliances to support its business growth and operations on a global platform. The
company has embarked on the strategy of having a smart partnership with its existing service recipients to
minimise the risks. Abdul Abdul Raman adds: “We will focus on our recipients who go regional, for example,
we advise the Al-‘Aqar Reit and this Reit has expanded their business across borders to Indonesia and also
Australia. By having our presence in Indonesia, the Reit will continue using our services albeit under the
Indonesian jurisdiction.”
Other forms of strategic alliance that it considers are joint ventures with global partners, informal cooperation, contractual alliances, minority investments and franchising. There are many unique offerings of
ARSA that makes it stand out from the rest in the same field. He says: “Advising on various aspects of Reit
exercises is one of our unique value propositions.
“There are still not many players in the market who are well versed or have diverse experience in relation
to Reit related cases especially in relation to Islamic Reit.” ARSA, through its group, has diverse experience
advising on Reit from its inception till financing – be it through straight lending or sukuk exercise. ARSA
as a group has also experienced handling the exercise of converting the conventional Reit to an Islamic
Reit. This experience gives the company a competitive edge over other regional players in the market. He
adds: “The public perception that Reit is only confined to real estate including land and building is not true.
Telecommunication or broadcasting towers can be used as assets for listing under a Reit – that is part of our
unique offering.”
Abdul Raman Saad & Associates
Level 8, Bangunan KWSP
No. 3, Changkat Raja Chulan
Off Jalan Raja Chulan
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel
(+603) 2032 2323
Fax
(+603) 2032 5775
Email arsakl@arsa.com.my
Website : www.arsa.com.my
13
Quality Investments in Malaysia
2014
Infineon is Germany’s largest semiconductor
manufacturer and a global leader in semiconductors
for the automotive, power management and hardware
security industries. The company has a cumulative
investment of RM11 billion at three entities in Malaysia.
The company is investing into expansions at all three
companies including:
- Infineon Technologies (Kulim) Sdn Bhd: Infineon’s
first wafer fabrication facility in Asia presently employs
1,800 staff. The company has plans to double its
production capacity by expanding its operations and
adding another additional 12,000 sqm fab facility.
- Infineon Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd: Infineon’s
largest assembly and test facility in Melaka for discrete
semiconductors, power semiconductors and sensor
products. The facility currently employs more than
5,700 staff.
- Infineon Technologies (Advanced Logics) Sdn Bhd:
Infineon’s assembly and test facility in Melaka for logic
ICs, power semiconductors. It presently employs more
than 1,900 staff.
The investments include the establishment of a Competence Centre for Megatrend
Technologies in Kulim and the expansion of a Development Centre in Melaka. Both these
initiatives will create more high-tech job opportunities for Malaysians. The Development
Centre focuses on R&D competencies in areas of innovative IC packaging solutions,
testing and product development.
Infineon is also collaborating with local universities such as Universiti Teknikal Malaysia
Melaka (UTEM), Multimedia University (MMU), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
and the German Malaysian Institute (GMI) in areas of talent development such as
the Engineering Booster Program and German Dual Vocational Program in industrial
management.
* 10-year forecast subject to change
** Employment data to date
Source : MIDA
14
Save the Date...
1 May-31 October 2015 . Milano . Italy .
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
15
MITI Programme
Asean Business Forum
12 March 2015
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
ASEAN - OECD Conference and Meetings on Good Regulatory
Practice, 9-12 March 2015
16
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
Lawatan Pelajar UiTM Kelantan ke MITI
12 Mac 2015
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Majlis Perlantikan Pembekal Strategik TNB
12 Mac 2015
17
MITI Weekly Bulletin / www.miti.gov.my
Media Announcement on World Halal Summit 2015,
10 March 2015
“..... In the end, life is wonderful but nonetheless a series of trade-offs, especially between
business/professional endeavours and family/community. And thankfully, I feel I’m at a point in
my life where I no longer have to make such tough choices anymore. And for that I am truly
grateful. Carpe Diem”
Excerpts from the retirement memo of Patrick Pichette, CFO Google.
Name
Designation
Job Description
Division
Contact No
: Araya Krisdatikarn
: Clerk
: Responsible for
assisting and handling
of administrative tasks
in the division
: MITI Bangkok,
Embassy of Malaysia
Bangkok, Thailand
: (+66) 85 241 032
Name
Designation
Job Description
Division
Contact No
“DRIVING Transformation, POWERING Growth”
Quotes
: Rosnah Mohamed @
Watt
: Clerk
: Responsible for
assisting and handling
of administrative tasks
in the division
: MITI Belgium, Embassy
of Malaysia Brussels,
Belgium
: (+32) 2 776 0376
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