EUMCCI Review July 2010

EUMCCI Review

Volume VI No. 3 July 2010

The Business Digest of the European Union-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Europa Awards

Excellent Achievements in EU-Malaysia Trade and Investment

The dust has finally settled over Europe but at what cost?

KDN PP 14083/07/2011(029992)

E umcci R eview July 2010

Volume VI No.3

www.eumcci.com

Contents

Published by EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (EUMCCI) Office Address Suite 3.03, Menara Atlan (Naluri) 161B Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603-2162 6298 Fax: +603-2162 6198 E-mail: eumcci@eumcci.com Website: www.eumcci.com EUMCCI Board Chairman David Jones Honourary Treasurer Dato’ Robert Teo Directors Austria Franz Schröder Cyprus Wan Azuar Dato Wan Daud Czech Republic Milan Vagner Denmark Kim Hansen France David Attar Finland Jari Silventoinen Germany Alexander Stedtfeld Greece Stellios Plainiotis Ireland Ron Anderson Italy Alberto Ciaramicoli Malaysia Caesar Loong Malta Paul Vincent Galea The Netherlands Marco Winter Poland Czeslaw Klimczak Slovak Republic H.E. Milan Lajciak Spain Luis Lopez Sweden Hans Bjornered United Kingdom Jon Addis Editorial Committee Minna Saneri - Editor Karen van Dalsem Stefanie Braukmann Contributing Editors Silvia Hofer Paul Kelleher Marianna Nobile Ulrica Starck Submissions Articles and other materials of interest to the general membership are actively solicited and may be sent to the Chamber. All materials submitted for publication are subject to editorial review and revisions.

Reproduction No part of the EUMCCI Review may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical without prior written permission.

Circulation 3,000 copies of the EUMCCI Review are distributed, on a quarterly basis to EUMCCI members, all Embassies, industry associations and government officials with whom the Chamber has dealings as well as to European Chambers Worldwide.

Subscription Service Subscriptions from non-members are also accepted at RM80.00 (€28.00 abroad) for 4 issues. Individual copies may be purchased at RM25.00 (€8.00 abroad).

Designed by UR Graphic Sdn Bhd Printed by Anekaprint & Packaging Sdn Bhd No. 6 & 8, Jalan Asa 8, Taman Asa Jaya 43000 Kajang, Selangor

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EDITORIAL

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CHAMBER@WORK Change in EUMCCI Leadership The EU’s Asia Strategy: Time for a Change?

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EUMCCI IPR Committee Talks with MDTCC How secure is the Global Recovery?

EUMCCI EEGT Committee member of the Working Committee for Green Technology Industry

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EU-Malaysia Cooperation In Green Technology

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EUROPE NEWS

12 FEATURE Europa Awards 2010 Eyjafjallajokull Sneezes, World Economy Set to Catch a Cold

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18 EVENTS IGEM: Green Future is now The EU at IGEM The EUMCCI Annual General Meeting

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Having Lunch with Khazanah

24 MEMBERS’ CORNER 29 MALAYSIA NEWS 32 NEW MEMBERS

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Rewarding Excellence and Going Green The Europa Awards, one of our main events of the year, were held in May with

Editorial

a distinctly Spanish theme. The ceremony once again attracted a large audience to witness EUMCCI member companies being rewarded for their excellence in the areas of Green Technology and Human Resources. This year the Chamber has a strong focus on the Green Technology Sector, something highlighted by the line-up of excellent candidates for the two green prizes: one for implementation and one for green processes. This year’s awards focusing on SMEs brought into light great deal of innovation and practises which can be implemented by a wide range of operators. We are delighted to showcase the three deserving award winners in this issue. You can read about their motivation, business practice and plans for the future in our feature article.

“Our Energy, Environment and Green Technology Committee is involved with the industry working group under MITI – providing our members with a great channel to bring up recommendations to the Government.”

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Europe is now facing tough and somewhat uncertain times. In the midst of sovereign debts crises and struggling with deficits and debts, yet another crisis hit in April: the Icelandic volcano hit hard not only airlines which were still recovering from downturn of 2009, but all sectors while the volcanic ash clouds isolated Europe from the rest of the world for two weeks. The full economic impact is hard to assess but our Chamber conducted a survey among our member companies about how they felt it impacted Malaysian business.

In June we brought five green tech experts from Europe for Expertise Transfer Sessions with the stakeholders involved in green technology. The partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water is working well. Our own Energy, Environment and Green Technology Committee is involved with the industry working group under MITI – providing our members with a great channel to bring up recommendations to the Government.

The green events continue: IGEM 2010 exhibition will showcase three EU Pavilions showing leadership of Europe in the field. We will also do tailor-made matchmaking between the companies from Europe and Malaysia. The same month the Renewable Energy Act is going to be tabled at the Parliament, passing of which would mean a great boost for investments into the sector. We remain optimistic.

Minna Saneri Editor

EUMCCI Review

Change in EUMCCI Leadership EUMCCI Deputy Chairman, Jean Francois Jadin, stepped down from his position at the last Annual General Meeting on 21st June 2010. He has been involved with EUMCCI ever since its early beginnings as European Business Council 16 years ago. Jean Francois was elected as Deputy chairman at the beginning of 2006 and has been actively involved in Chamber activities, frequently acting as EUMCCI host at VIP Luncheons as well as spearheading the Education Committee. Owing to the growing commitment on work front and in private life Jean Francois has decided to step down from his position. The EUMCCI acknowledges his great achievements and thanks him for his support and contribution, wishing him the best of luck for future endeavours.

David Jones (EUMCCI Chairman) and Minna Saneri (EUMCCI General Manager) acknowledge the contribution of former Deputy Chairman of EUMCCI, Jean Francois Jadin as he steps down from the position of Deputy Chairman

EUMCCI would like to thank all participants of the EUMCCI Review Magazine Readers’ Survey for their comments and suggestions. The feedback has been very useful for us and we are working on an exciting new look Review Magazine, based on the feedback we received from our survey to be released in October. We are pleased to announce that the winner of the ‘Malaysian-Europe Strategic Partner­ ships for the Pacific Century’ is James de Caluwe, Oleon Sdn Bhd. If you are interested in a fantastic opportunity to advertise in the all new EUMCCI Review Magazine, please contact us on +603-262 6198, by e-mail to communications@ eumcci.com for more details.

by U. Starck

The EU’s Asia Strategy: Time for a Change?

EUMCCI met with Mr. Alain Ruche, Deputy Head of Unit in the DG External Relations, European Commis­sion, while he visited Malaysia, among other Southeast Asian countries, at the beginning of May. The purpose of his visit was to review the EU’s Asia policy.

The framework for Europe’s Asia policy, adopted in 2001, has become slightly out­

The first EU strategy for all Asia dates back to 1994. Updated in 2001, the Strategic Framework for Enhanced Partnerships is still the document that guides the EU’s general approach to Asia, and that is at the core of the different strategy papers. Alongside the region-to-region policy, Europe has bilateral relations with the single Asian countries.

These relations that are as diverse as the countries that make up the Asian continent reflect the flexibility of the EU’s Asia policy.

Given this need for flexibility, the EU’s Asia policy is understandably broad in its objectives: they range from the contribution to peace and security in the region, poverty reduction, the promotion of democratic values, to the strengthening of mutual trade and investment flows.

The EU’s policy in Asia, is in urgent need of change. To mention just one instance that shows the outdated nature of the docu­ ment, and how fast things are indeed changing, China is not singled out but simply grouped together with ASEAN (but not Japan and South Korea) as ‘Emerging East Asia’. This is something which is almost unimaginable today, with China often overshadowing the rest of Asia in economic terms.

A lot has changed since 2001. Asia is growing fast, economically as well as demographically, while the opposite seems to be happening in Europe. This is not really a new development. Talks about the Asian Century, frequently accompanied by those about the decline of Europe, have been out there for a while. However, the predictions seem to have come true much faster than

EUMCCI Review

everyone expected. The EU needs Asia, and it needs a new Asia strategy.

So what should this new strategy look like?

According to Mr. Ruche, flexibility is - again - the keyword. He stated that the EU does not need a ‘monolithic approach’, but rather ‘an interconnected and differentiated approach of sub-regional strategies’. The aim of the strategy, according to Mr Ruche, is to provide a coherent political basis for the different strategy papers.

While the 21st century might not exclusively belong to Asia, a vision Mr. Ruche himself agrees to, Asia will undoubtedly be one of the key players of the years to come, and the EU, by updating its policy, is taking an important step towards strengthening the already close ties with the region.

by S. Hofer

EUMCCI IPR Committee Talks with MDTCC On 27 April, The EUMCCI Intellectual Property Right Committee met with the Enforcement Division (ED) of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives & Consu­ merism (MDTCC). The meeting was chaired

by Tuan Mohd Roslan Mahayudin, the Director-General of ED.

EUMCCI IPR Committee met with ED of Enforcement Unit, MDTCC

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Winner – EUMCCI Review Magazine Readers’ Survey

dated, especially considering the important changes both regions have undergone in the last decade and how deeply these changes have affected their relationship.

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This courtesy visit was part of EUMCCI’s ongoing regular dialogues and engagement with the ED. During the meeting, general discussions were held on the current issues and challenges encountered on IP enforcement in Malaysia. The Enforcement Division was supportive of the border measure initiatives undertaken by EUMCCI and indicated their support for any capacity building programs to be conducted by EUMCCI under ECAPIII. The ED also indicated its willingness to investigate further on the issues of fake wines and mislabelling on wines. They have in fact investigated a couple of cases complained by Austrade. The ED had sought feedback and comments from EUMCCI on the changes to be made to the Trade Descriptions Act 1972.

How Secure is the Global Recovery?

On the 2nd of June Mr Adrian Cooper from Oxford Economics Singapore visited Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. Mr Cooper is responsible for coordinating and managing Oxford Econo­ mics’ global economic analysis, forecasting and consultancy activities. Oxford Economics was founded in Oxford 1981 and today they have offices in Oxford, London, Belfast, Paris, Singapore, the UAE and Philadelphia.

Oxford Economics provide businesses, governments and international organisations with the understanding of their economic environment and the application of economic tools needed to make confident decisions about tactics, strategy and policy.

During the seminar at ISIS Malaysia Mr Cooper spoke on the subject “How secure is the global economic upturn?”

Short term Mr Cooper was optimistic about the economic recovery in the short term. The implementations of stimulus policies from governments are still contributing to recovery of the global economy. In addition, the rebound in world trade will drive the recovery in the near-term. The five main factors that Mr Cooper highlighted as main drivers in the economy were: • Stimulus policies implemented, they generally remain very expansionary.

• World trade multipliers are now working on upside.

• Consumer confidence is improving.

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• Corporate cash flows are improving.

• Boost coming from turn in inventory cycle.

almost down to zero and they do not have much tools to prevent additional crisis on top of the last one.

Medium term Despite the optimism in the short term the prognoses for the medium term are not as bright according to Mr Cooper. There are several critical factors that might affect the economic recovery in the medium term:

Emerging markets The countries that will have a strong growth and recover quickly from this crisis are foremost the emerging markets. With emerging markets Mr Cooper meant China, India and Brazil, though China has a few critical factors, which are the raising in real estate prices and the inflation. Mr Cooper was not sure how China would handle these issues but it would for sure be a problem if nothing was done to prevent it.

• Need for further retrenchment by households.

• Constraints from weak labour markets.

• Banks are still not out of the woods.

• Excess capacity and uncertainty.

• Government debt worries and end of fiscal stimulus.

Households are still in deep debt and looking at the household debt/disposable income especially in the US, the ratio is still high and has not changed much after the crisis. Consumers will have to improve their balance sheet and raise their savings ratio the coming years. Furthermore, Mr Cooper highlighted the steep rise in unemployment rate for the for upcoming years. This is a reality especially in the US and the European labour markets, one of the reasons is that the governments have used stimulus package in order for companies to hold on to their employees. It will take time before companies will have the resources to start to employ more labour again.

Additionally, Mr Cooper mentioned the banks situations as a critical factor for an economic recovery. Banks around the world are still expecting a lot of losses and due to stricter regulations with “Basel 2 pillar 3”, banks are forced to have higher liquidity and a bigger capital base. This makes it harder for companies to get finances, which they are depending on and further more the recovery will take a longer time.

Finally, Mr Cooper talked about govern­ ment’s debt worries. As an example he talked about Greece, even though they have received an aid-package to solve their financial situation the critical phase is the attitude change of the people. The crash will not be helped by aid-packages, they will merely delay the impact. Though it is not only Greece that has large public debts, also Italy, Spain and Portugal are in very vital situations. Mr Cooper’s worry was that the governments have already played all their cards to prevent their countries to go into deep financial-crises, the interest rates are

EUMCCI Review

To conclude, Mr Cooper thought we could expect an optimistic development in the short term, with world trade growing and consumer’s confidence improving. Though in the medium term a lot more challenges are waiting, with governments tightening their budgets and high unemployment rates.

by U. Starck

EUMCCI EEGT Committee member of the Working Committee for Green Technology Industry The Malaysian Working Committee for Green Tech­nology Industry, focuses on several EU-MALAYSI issues promoting A BUSINESS Green Technology in Malaysian Industry.

For example, enhanc­ ing the awareness of industries in adop­ ting Green Practices in businesses and ensuring an appro­ priate time frame for the industries in implementing mandatory standards and environmental regulations.

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ChaMbEr of CoMMErCE

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EUMCCI Trade Issues and Recom menda

tions 2010

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24 organi­zations, mainly govern­mental, are represented. EUMCCI’s Environ­ment, Energy and Green Tech­nology (EEGT) Committee is the only body representing EU. The EUMCCI EEGT Committee advices on Green technology and industry from a European point of view, focusing on the issues and recommendations as presented during the EUMCCI Trade forum in April, and published in EUMCCI Trade book 2010.

EU-Malaysia Cooperation in Green Technology EU Expertise Transfer Sessions (ETS)

Mr. Mothi Kothandabhany, Undersecretary of Green Technology, KeTTHA, Mr. Thomas Brandt, Chairman of the EUMCCI EEGT Committee and Professor Arne Remmen, Section of Technology, Environment and Society, Aalborg University, Denmark.

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Malaysia is an ideal country for this due to its geographic position and climate. It has a large agricultural footprint but the question is whether this new development, in terms of green technologies, could be helpful to the total economy and in reducing emissions.

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Dr. Ir. Van der Wielen

the Netherlands. They spoke about Envi­ ronmental, Social & Economic Challenges of the Rising Demand for Biorenewables and Integrated Product Policy (including ecodesign and eco-labeling) respectively. Also participating were two experts from Den­ mark; Professor Arne Remmen from Aalborg Uni­versity spoke on Lessons from Europe on Integrated Product Policy while his com­ patriot Peter Heydorn, a senior export consultant from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a presentation on Bio-waste and Methodology for the evaluation of

If everyone wanted to live like people do in an industrial country, we would need four planets

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Prof. Arne Remmen

environ­mental issues. The meetings were part of an EU co-funded project that aims to enhance business cooperation between the EU and Malaysia in the services sector.

The event, which proved to be a very productive and useful one for all involved, was opened by the EU Ambassador, H.E. Vincent Piket and the Deputy Secretary General of Green Technology and Water, Y. Bhg. Dato’ Nor Azmal Mohd Nazir.

Experts from Europe The experts from Europe included Dr. Ir. Van der Wielen from the Delft University of Technology and Dr. Ir. Van Gemert, Leading Professor on Energy Transition, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, both from

The experts at the EU Green Panel Discussion, “Securing the Future through a Green Based Economy: EU – Malaysia perspectives”. From left to right; Mr. Ir van der Wielen (Netherlands), Mr. Rosman Hamzah (EUMCCI EEGT Committee), Mr. Francis Xavier Jacobs (KeTTHA), Mr. Thomas Brandt (EUMCCI EEGT Committee), Professor Arne Remmen (Denmark) and MS. Marina Yong (EUMCCI EEGT Committee).

waste flow systems. The last expert was Mr. Felix Barrio de Miguel, Head of International Relations and Cooperation Unit from the Ministry of Science & Innovation, Spain, who talked on R&D in Thermal Solar Power.

EU – Malaysia shared goals H.E. Ambassador Piket, the head of Dele­ gation of the European Union to Malaysia, thanked the five experts who had come

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from Europe for the session and talked of Malaysia’s ambition to go green. He spoke about the Malaysian National Green Technology Council which convened for the first time in 2010, and which is being headed by the Prime Minister, a clear indicator of Malaysian desire to succeed in the area of Green Technology. The Council, comprises members from various ministries to discuss and approve green technology policies and other related issues.

Like several of the speakers over the two day session, the ambassador alluded to the Prime Minister’s Copenhagen speech where he spoke of Malaysia reducing its emissions intensity by up to 40% by 2020. The ambas­ sador spoke highly of Malaysia’s good development, industrial basis and its desire to become a green technology leader within ASEAN. He called it a “remarkable year for

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Malaysia has a strong friend in the EU Y.Bhg. Dato’ Nor Azmal Mohd Nazir

Malaysia” from a Green Technology per­ spective. He mentioned the global goals that the EU and Malaysia both share, and the strides the latter has taken in under­ taking more research projects in the field, with projects jumping in numbers from seven to fourteen. At the press conference, Ambassador Piket said the “EU will consider providing a grant of €2 million to 500 SMEs with the aim of promoting biomass pro­ jects.” H.E. continued; “The presentation of the grant would be implemented by a consortium of public and private sector organisations in Malaysia in partnership with those in Europe. The first phase will focus awareness of the 500 SMEs around the country while phase two involves the implementation of concrete biomass pro­ jects by the most promising SMEs.” The Deputy Secretary General for his part continued by saying Malaysia now has the opportunity to learn from a world leader in the EU. He talked of Malaysia having a “strong friend in the EU” and although it is a new sector in Malaysia, “we are very serious about it.”

by P. Kelleher

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On June 1st and 2nd at the Marriot Putrajaya, the EUMCCI and Ministry if Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) in association with the EU Delegation to Malaysia organized an Expertise Transfer Session (ETS) in the area of Green Technology. The two day event, which saw a team of green technology specialists from the European Union meet with their Malaysian counter­parts and government officials, was designed to share best practices, experiences and know-how in Green Technology. Those involved discuss greater cooperation on a wide range of

Europe News

ASEAN – The New EU? The sizeable and distinguished audience that attended the ‘EU debate’ on May 18th at Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, had the pleasure to witness a memorable event. Organised by the EU Delegation to Malaysia, the choice of the topic – ‘ASEAN, the new EU?” together with the quality of the speakers, provided all the necessary ingredients for a high class debate. Moderator Dato’ Michael Yeoh, CEO & director of the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute, mediated between the opposing parties: Tan Sri Dato’ Ajit Singh, former Secretary General of ASEAN, and Stewart Forbes, Executive Director of Malaysian International Chamber of Com­ merce and Industry (MICCI), against the motion; Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Munir, Chairman of Malaysia Airlines, and H.E. Julian Wilson, EU Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, defending it. Truly a ‘clash of titans’, as H.E. Vincent Piket called it in his introductory speech.

The defendants of the motion pointed out that ASEAN should not simply take the EU as a model which can be copied in all its aspects, but rather as a strong and vibrant example, from whose strengths and weaknesses ASEAN and learn. Among the EU’s strong points, leadership and EU consciousness were mentioned, two factors that ASEAN is clearly lacking. As to the weaknesses and mistakes ASEAN should avoid repeating, the speakers pointed at the factors that led to the recent crisis in Greece, as well as the democratic deficit.

The opponents responded by questioning the very wording of the motion, arguing that asking whether ASEAN should become the new EU sounded in itself patronising.

While both speakers acknowledged ASEAN’s thankfulness to the EU, they also pointed out that Europe and Southeast Asia are two very different regions, a factor that dimi­ nishes the utility and applicability of many EU policies in the ASEAN context. Conti­ nuously comparing ASEAN to the EU, so the speakers, is also somewhat counterpro­ ductive, as it potentially constrains the development of the ‘poor ASEAN frog’ that has to compete with the ‘beautiful EU princess’, to use Tan Sri Ajit’s metaphor.

The quality floor debate, with a number of very interesting contributions from the audience, was followed by the speakers’ closing arguments, which ended the discus­

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sion in a highly balanced manner and found the speakers almost agreeing with their respective opponents’ views. Quite fittingly, the audience’s vote ended in a draw, as balanced a result as it can get. The outcome of the debate did justice to the controversial nature of the motion, but also, and even more importantly, to the four outstanding orators.

• KWI International Environmental Treatment • M-U-T GmbH • Praher Valves GmbH • Rabmer Rohrtechnik GmbH / R.Tec GmbH • Watt Drive Antriebstechnik GmbH • KeKelit Kunststoffwerk GmbH • SCAN Messtechnik GmbH

by S. Hofer

Austria at AsiaWater 2010 After several successful participations in previous years, Austria showed again a strong presence this year at AsiaWater 2010 Expo. The Austrian Pavilion presented a group of leading Austrian companies and their latest technologies in the field of water and wastewater solutions. The Austrian representatives were privileged to welcome HE Mr. Peter Chin, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, as well as HRH Raja Nazrin Shah, the Crown Prince of Perak, and introduce them to the Austrian exhibitors. Both of them showed great interest in the products and technologies from Austria in the water sector.

The high standards Austria demands in drinking water supply and waste water disposal have inspired Austrian companies to offer a broad spectrum of products and services of the highest quality in water manage­ment. On a global scale, a huge number of satisfied customers and partners are already recognizing and utilizing their services.

EU Celebrates Europe Day in Malaysia The European Union recently hosted a reception to mark the formation of EU for more than 350 guests in Kuala Lumpur.

“This is a significant and symbolic day for the 500 million Europeans around the world as the day marks the formation of the union

All Ambassadors from EU countries toasting in celebration of Europe Day

in 1950. Europe Day is also a celebration of the unity that the 27 EU member nations share and cherish under a common iden­ tity,” said H.E. Vincent Piket, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia.

Europe Day, which falls on the 9th of May, is a European symbol along with the EU flag, anthem and the Euro, being the common currency. The event which com­ memorates the unity among the 27 member nations of the EU is celebrated the world over, by the European Union delegations.

The Austrian Pavillion at AsiaWater 2010

The following specialized Austrian compa­ nies were successfully showcasing their latest technologies at this prestigious water fair: • Agru Kunststofftechnik GesmbH

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This year, the EU marks the 60 years of the Schuman Declaration which brought about the idea behind what is known today as the European Union. On 9 May 1950, against the background of the instability and the need to rebuild a shattered Europe, the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman read to the international press a declaration

calling on France, Germany and other Euro­ pean countries to pool together their coal and steel production, which marks the conception of the EU.

The reception was attended by Ambassadors of all EU’s Members States present in Malaysia; government officials, key policy makers and public officials from the public sector; members of the media and partners of the Commission’s programs and initiatives in Malaysia.

Apart from showcasing the diverse culinary treasures of the EU, the attendees of the reception were feted with the performance of the Tiritran Flamenco dancers from Spain.

The event was graced by Guest of Honour YB. Dato’ Lee Chee Leong, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia.

Launch of MYEULINK EU Grant e575,000 to raise aware­ ness of the European Union The European Union announced a new three-year project based in Malaysia to bring the European Union and Malaysia closer together with the MYEULINK pro­ject, awarded to The University of Not­tingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC).

MYEULINK aims to increase awareness and understanding of the EU and its key policies among universities, govern­ment officials, the private sector, the media and other interest groups in Malaysia.

In support from the Malay­ sian Ministry of Higher Education, the project will encourage cooperation and dialogue in higher edu­ cation, and keep decisionmakers in Malaysia in­ formed on EU policy initia­ tives.

The project was officially launched in March by YB

More details of the project can be found at: http://www.myeulink.org

MGCC Organises Photovoltaic-Solar Delegation to Germany The Malaysian-German Chamber of Com­ merce and Industry (MGCC) organised a delegation to Germany in June, with a visit to the world’s largest PV-Trade Fair-Intersolar 2010. The main objective was to update important Malaysian decision making partners on the latest available techno­logies, policies and other matters related to Photovoltaic applica­tions and Solar Thermal Energy.

“Malaysia needs more exposure in the field of green technology transfer, human re­ source and capacity building in order to become a regional leader,” says Thomas Brandt, General Manager of MGCC and Head of EUMCCI’s EEGT Commit­tee. “It is important for local companies to source knowledge and expertise by collaborating with leading manufac­turers, suppliers, institu­tions and associations in Europe to achieve this goal”, he addsed.

The partici­pants visited the Interso­lar Europe 2010 exhibition in Munich - the meeting point for the inter­national solar industry which will showcase more than 1,800 exhibitors. Here, visi­tors had the oppor­ tunity to be informed on the latest products, tech­nologies and deve­lop­ments in Solar Tech­nology. With parti­cipation at con­fe­ rences and work­shops, they also took the chance to gain better under­standing of Photovol­taic and Solar Thermal Ener­gy.

EU Ambassador H.E. Vincent Piket greets YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the Minister for Higher Education, Malaysia

The programme also included a visit to Freiburg – a city known as the role model of photovoltaic-city in Germany.

Freiburg’s three pillars of the

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energy policy are: energy conservation, the use of new technologies such as combined heat and power, and the use of renewable energy sources such as solar. Freiburg is also home to the most advanced Research Center on PV, the ISE (The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems) which conducts research on technology needed to supply energy effi­ciently on an environ­ mentally sound basis.

A visit to Germany’s largest Solar Park of Q-Cells, located in Strasskirchen as included as well. Q-Cells SE was established in 1999 and is now one of the largest solar cell manufacturers in the world. It develops photo­ vol­taics with Solar Parks all over the world.

The final stop on the program was Berlin, where the participants of the delegation met with relevant policy makers.

Malaysia Relies on Spain Technology’s Fleet Management Experience The Spanish company GMV in a consortium with Raisevest Sdn Bhd, has won an important contract for supplying a new fleet control system for the city of Putrajaya, Malaysia, awarded by Putrajaya Corporation.

Putrajaya thus becomes Malaysia’s first city to fit one of today’s most advanced urbantransport systems for giving real-time passenger informa­tion.

This system will be fitted in 150 urban and metropolitan buses, with plans to extend the scheme to 400 units in the midterm.

Informa­tion posts will be set up all round the city with high-resolution light-emittingdiode (LED) and liquidcrystal- display (LCD) screens displaying Estimated Arrival Times (ETAs) of the various buses at each bus stop.

This same information can also be accessed from the website or by SMS. The control center comprises servers in high availability configu­ration together with software entirely developed by the Spanish company and acting as the veritable core of the whole system. Advanced algorithms enable the arrival times at each bus stop to be predicted with only a tiny margin of error. This will not only serve as a manage­ ment tool for the control center operators

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Europe News

“In Malaysia, the Europe Day celebration encompasses a series of events to spread the spirit of unity among key audiences such as public officials, media and academia.

In addition to the reception we hosted a high level dialogue with key media and an EU Debate titled, ‘ASEAN, the new EU’ ’’, added Ambassador Piket.

Dato‘ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia and H.E. Vincent Piket, Ambassador & Head of Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia.

Europe News

ASEM provides a good framework for innovative and creative thinking on how to make aid more effective, ensure better coordination among donors, facilitate trade and encourage open markets. Encouraging private investments and financial flows, fostering public-private partnerships, bol­ stering the work of civil society actors and ensuring policy coherence so that all international policies work in the same direction – namely to reduce poverty, hun­ ger and disease – are important. but will also inform passengers in real time of bus arrival times on bus-stop panels, through the website and by SMS. The project will be rounded out with ticketing systems, driver interfaces, onboard and ATM fare-collection systems and a parking system.

A New AsiaEurope Partnership for Development Official aid from rich to poor countries remains a vital tool in the combat against poverty. However, for many middle-income countries in Asia, such assistance is dwarfed by private sector financial transfers.

Development cooperation is no longer about charity, it is about enlightened mutual self-interest. As China has illustrated, in an inter-connected globalised world, an increase in prosperity in one country or re­ gion translates into rising trade, investments and sales in other parts of the world.

Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner responsible for development told an Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) conference in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on May 26, the changes prompted by Asia’s rise demand a rethink of EU development aid to the region.

“We can’t treat China the same way as Cambodia,” he said.

“In some countries it is about putting in place basic services, in others it is about accompanying growth, jobs and develop­ ment… we will listen to countries needs and adapt our instruments and coopera­ tion,” the Commissioner told the 200 highlevel Asian and European experts and officials as well as representatives of interna­ tional organizations and civil-society groups, attending the meeting in Yogyakarta.

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“Smarter aid”, i.e. assistance that is more selective, innovative and effective, has to be the name of the game. These and other issues need to be explored further within the ASEM context.

First, because the EU is the largest provider of ODA in the world, giving almost 4 billion euros a year in assistance to the less well-off Asian countries which are members of ASEM.

setting up of an Asian Investment Facility, Piebalgs also said Europe would work to unlock the power of trade and investment, support infrastructure projects but also help countries in health and education.

The meeting in Yogyakarta underlined that “Europe and Asia are engaged in a multidimensional partnership that goes beyond aid.” The ASEM 8 summit in Brussels on October 4-5 will provide another opportunity for Asian and European leaders to elaborate on forging a new partnership which goes further – much further – than aid.

Source: Particip

Finnish Prime Minister visits Malaysia The Prime Minister of Finland, Mr Matti Vanhanen, visited Malaysia in the last days of April. While Vanhanen met the Malaysian Prime Minister YB Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, discussions were held

Second, there are still many people living in extreme poverty in Asia.

Third, there is a compelling need for stronger cooperation and coordination bet­ween the EU and Asian countries which are also aid donors, including Japan and China and also India.

Fourth, the EU and Asian countries need to reassess whether aid development coopera­tion should continue to play a significant role in Asia’s middle income countries and emerging economies – China, India, Indo­nesia, Malaysia and Thailand – or whether it is time to look at other ways of raising development resources.

At a time when overall aid resources are limited, there is an argument in favour of focusing development funds on poorer Asian countries. This does not mean ignoring the plight of poor people in Asia’s middle-income countries; but it does require that more creative thinking is used to raise funds in such nations.

“EU aid should act as a catalyst for addi­ tional investment,” Piebalgs told the meeting in Yogyakarta, “…it should be used in a way that one euro generates two or more additional euros.” Having given a 200 million euro grant to Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and announced the

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Vincent van den Berk (European Forest Institute), Kirsti Kaikkonen of the Finnish Embassy and former Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen during the former PMs visit to Malaysia in April

on strengthening bilateral trade. Dato’ Sri wishes Finnish investments to grow in the future and the number of tourists from Finland to increase. The Prime Ministers also spoke about renewable energy and possible cooperation in the field of bio fuels.

Dato’ Sri also mentioned that Finland will be one of the role models in the develop­ ment of the Malaysian new economic model. Malaysia is especially interested in Finland’s high level education system and innovation centered economic growth.

Vanhanen also met YB Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz, chairman of the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC), to further discuss Malaysia’s new economic model and Finland’s key success factors.

Dirty Danish Business for a Clean Malaysia?

The Danish Danida programme had the pleasure of welcoming a Malaysian dele­ gation to a study tour on waste handling in Northern Europe from the 19th -28th of June.

As the Danish focus on solid waste is soon to be continued on commercial terms, the aim of the objective of the study tour was to observe the newest tendencies in solid waste collection equipment and systems and waste treatment with focus on organic waste and small scale incinerators.

The delegation was composed of repre­ sentatives from several Malaysian govern­ ment institutes including UKAS, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, SWM, and consultants from the private sector.

The Danish embassy endorses this arrange­ ment as a great step forward in developing a commercial arena for future collaboration of Malaysian and Danish private and public sector on the solid waste management.

“This kind of arrangements are giving a great value add to both Danish companies, and the Malaysian society. Picking the right combination of reliable technologies is paramount in waste handling, and this trip gives an insight in just how well it works in Denmark”, explains newly appointed Green tech advisor Jesper Hoejer from the Danish Embassy.

As part of the Danish efforts to establish a commercial cooperation to replace the previous Danida efforts, the Danish Embassy has launched a new Cluster under the name of Green Capacity Denmark, including working groups on solid waste management, green buildings, waste water management and renewable energy.

For more information on these initiatives, go to: http://www.ambkualalumpur.um.dk/ en

MoU between MDBC and Netherlands Embassy Caption

During the eight day tour the delegation was introduced to some of the most effective ways of dealing with waste handling in both Germany, Norway and in the Danish Capital Copenhagen.

In this tour the delegation were to get unique hands on approach and insight in the newest waste management techniques and machinery. Companies visited include Danish companies specialised in treatment of wet organic waste (Biovækst A/S), Sanitary landfill with gas extractin (Kara Noveren), high efficiency biogas plants (Hashhøj biogas) Besides the installations the delegation was also introduced to the social embeddedness

Last May, at the conclusion of its Annual General Meeting, the Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC) signed a Memo­ randum of Understanding with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and specifically with its Economic & Trade Department.

The Netherlands Embassy and MDBC both work towards strengthening the economic relations between Malaysia and the Netherlands. Both parties have worked together closely and very efficiently over the last years based on complementary capa­ bilities. This co-operation is to be continued and formalized, and where possible intensified.

The MoU outlines the objectives and activities of both organisations, defines the respective roles and mutual expectations,

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Jan Soer, Deputy Head of Mission, the Embassy of the Netherlands, Jacoba Bolderheij, Head of Economic and Trade Department, MDBC Chairman Dato’ Jafar Indot and Executive Director of MDBC Marco Winter

and formalises the guidelines for coope­ ration.

The signing of the MoU, which can be considered a very unique document, was done by MDBC Chairman Dato’ Jaffar Indot and Executive Director Marco Winter with the Netherlands Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission Jan Soer and Head of the Economic & Trade Department Jacoba Bolderheij.

EU Governments cut corporate taxes in 2010 EU governments cut corporate taxes in 2010, continuing years of decline in taxation on capital and a shift towards taxes on consumption, and, to a lesser extent, labour.

Across the board, EU states charged an average of 37.5% in income tax last year.

Corporate taxes were down to an EU average of 23.2%.

The highest rates on corporate income are in Malta (35%), France (34.4%) and Belgium (34%), and the lowest in Bulgaria and Cyprus (both 10.0%) and Ireland (12.5%). In the EU27, the average standard VAT rate rose to 20.2%.

However, the major source of tax revenue in the EU27 in 2010 remains labour taxes, representing over 40% of total tax receipts.

Among the Member States, the ‘implicit’ tax rate on labour ranged in 2008 from 20.2% in Malta, 24.5% in Cyprus and 24.6% in Ireland to 42.8% in Italy, 42.6% in Belgium and 42.4% in Hungary. The ‘implicit’ tax rate is a broad measure of the tax burden falling on work income. Looking at the direct taxation of individuals, the countries with the highest top tax rate on personal income are Sweden (56.4%), Belgium (53.7%) and the Netherlands (52%), and the least in Bulgaria (10%), the Czech Republic and Lithuania (both 15%).

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Europe News

For several years Danish development assistance agency Danida have been working closely with the Malaysian govern­ ment on many different environmental programmes. Among these one of the most substantial ones have been concentrated on the solid waste management.

of waste management in Danish society, through visits to municipal waste transfer facilities at in Audebo, and higher upstream in at central supermarkets and hotels with commercially viable, food handling and state-of-the-art sorting and storage systems.

Europa Awards 2010 Mr. Lincoln Lee of Laurenz Leistung, Mr. Bart Veenbaas of AQ Services and Mr. Anthony Wong of the Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa with their Europa Awards

Europa Awards 2010 Friday 14th May 2010 saw the third edition of the EUMCCI Europa Awards take place in the beautiful surroundings of the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. The annual ceremony gives the EUMCCI the opportunity to award excellence among companies active in EU-Malaysia trade and investment.

The Europa Awards were given to companies who despite a difficult economic climate, still enjoyed hugely successful times over the past twelve months. Whether through the design and production of innovative and sustainable new technologies, providing an eco-friendly tourist resort or being able to reward staff for their loyalty and good practices in the midst of a global recession, all three winners were most deserving of their awards. Although there were only three winners, the selection process was particularly tough this year as there were a number of worthy companies shortlisted in each category.

Spanish Theme The evening was Spanish themed in recognition of Spain holding the EU presidency for the first half of 2010. The guests were treated to a wonderful evening of Spanish wine, paella, tapas and to top it

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all off, the distinctly Spanish sounds of the flamenco trio from Granada in southern Spain, Tirititran. On an enjoyable and memorable night, the awards were presented by EUMCCI Chairman David Jones and Minster of International Trade and Investment, Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed.

Other special guests present included the Spanish Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Jose Ramon Barañano, and EU Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Vincent Piket.

Europa Award Winner for Human Resources 2010 – AQ Services Sdn. Bhd Mr. Bart Veenbaas of AQ Services Sdn. Bhd accepted the Europa Award 2010 for Human Resources. AQ is a quality research, incentive and consultancy company. The Dutch based company has operated in South East Asia for 5 years and experienced tremendous growth in the region. Through its customer centered services such as ‘mystery shopping’ and ‘rhythm in retail’, AQ has shown local companies the importance of investing in human capital.

Jan Willem Smulders, CEO of AQ Services, said of the companies’ mystery shopping

EUMCCI Review

scheme, “In many cases we have been able to measure the impact of our services which have led to 18% higher turnover in our clients stores compared with other stores who don’t participate in our program.”

Diversity and experience AQ’s clients come from different industries across the board. Retailers, banks, petrol stations, automotive and hospitality outlets have all enlisted the services of the organi­ sation. It is because of this diverse portfolio that AQ’s CEO believes allows “us to share experiences from different industries and apply these to other industries.” Social net­ working has become a significant strategy tool for the company as it allows AQ to stay close with stakeholders while also providing themselves with live feedback and further opportunity to increase AQ’s own efficiency.

Worthy Winners AQ won the Human Resource Award for its ability, despite an economic downturn, to ensure no employees were let go. “We focused on our people and by doing so they were dedicated to succeed and helped us to retain our clients and actually continue to grow. Instead of cutting budgets on internal

Minister of International Trade and Investment, Dato’ Mustapa Mohamed, EUMCCI Chairman David Jones and EUMCCI General Manager Minna Saneri

EUMCCI, Europa win and the Future for AQ…..

When asked about the Europa Award win and AQ’s association with the EUMCCI, Mr. Smulders was emphatic in his answer. “The EUMCCI has allowed us to stay involved with the business community in Malaysia.

Great networking events and speakers have given us an opportunity to meet with people from various industries. This makes our name known to the public, and we are given a chance to meet potential partners or clients.” The CEO told us how the Europa Award win had enthused many within his organisation. “It was great to be recognized for what we have been working towards.

On the other side we have received a lot of attention from different angles. It again helps us to create awareness for what we do. Our clients will feel reassured to work with us, and our potential prospects will know that we take our work seriously.” As for the future of AQ Services in Malaysia, the CEO ended the interview by saying, “We see Asia as our growth region. We plan on developing further into markets where we see tremendous growth opportu­ nities.”

Guests enjoying the Spanish delicacies

Europa Award Winner for Implementa­tion of Green Technology 2010 – The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa is the first green resort on Langkawi and it places priority on sustainable development and responsible tourism. The Frangipani was the outstanding candidate this year in the area of implementation of Green Technology. The Resort Managing Director, Mr. Anthony Wong spoke of what winning the award meant for the resort, “Naturally we would like more people to come to the resort so that we can fulfill our dream of being a model green resort. Winning this award recognises the hard work many people have put in over the years to see the dream become a reality.”

Going Green Despite many organisations being tempted to ‘go green’ but ultimately finding the costs of doing so were too great, Mr. Wong was adamant that the decision to go green was, and still is “dependent on individual companies as to how and when they take on the concept of going green. Those who don’t have an interest in going green will

EUMCCI Review

Green Practice makes Green Perfect…

The Frangipani has incorporated green practices into its day-to-day working practices. The resort also allows guests to participate in the environmentally friendly practices around the resort including their sustainable gardens, recycling schemes and much more. The resort even grows and produces some of its own foodstuffs. In doing so, it will use resort-generated com­post and grow them organically without chemicals or pesticides. This is just one way in which the Frangipani tries to lower its carbon footprint and energy consumption. They are also trying to work out a scheme where local schools grow and supply the resort with fruit and vegetables but this concept is still in its infancy. The Frangipani Langkawi has also imple­ mented socially responsible programs that they believe will educate the children of the island of Langkawi and according to Mr. Wong create “the managers of Langkawi in the future.”

Water: A priority The treatment of water is also a priority at The Frangipani. Depending upon weather conditions, the resort will harvest a combination of rainwater, waste water and air conditioner condensate. This water is mostly used in garden irrigation, toilet flushing and laundry washing, all of which means the mains water bill has been cut by 39%. The MD told us about future plans to further decrease water usage by between 30 and 40%. He added, “It is hoped that we could gain water neutral status by 2017.”

Where there’s a will…

When asked whether he felt the success and sustainability of The Frangipani could be replicated elsewhere in Malaysia, Mr. Wong was unequivocal in his reply; “Yes of course; where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

He suggested that many of the environ­ mental activities undertaken at the resort are very basic. “The ‘3R’s’ of ‘reuse, recycle and reduce’ are clichéd and yet, many people don’t follow these basic principles.

We are transparent and open and willing to share these practices with anyone who wants to listen and learn.” Mr. Wong also

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Europa Awards 2010

activities, we kept them in place and used such events to share information on our situation and the market.

Insight gave many people confidence,” said Mr. Smulders.

He went on to say that, “AQ has always remained dedicated to our people. We are an energetic young company. Our new office has a balcony with a great view of KL, as well as a pool table. We want our people to come to work because they enjoy it. By introducing new benefits, we showed our dedication to our people and that we were willing to fight for them.”

always find it difficult to change their mind set.” Despite initial extra costs, the MD insisted,” we will eventually get back the money we have invested while protecting the environment at the same time.”

efficient part of the building, we moved on to renewable energy, the best suited for our country is solar energy.”

Europa Awards 2010

The Spanish Chamber ‘La Camara’ had a strong presence

stressed the importance of his organisa­ tions contact with the EUMCCI by saying, “this provides another forum for us to learn industry best practices and to share what we are doing here in Malaysia with a larger audience.”

Europa Award Winner for Production of Green Technology 2010 – Laurenz Leistung The Europa Award Winner for production of green technology, Laurenz Leistung, is a Photovoltaic system provider in Malaysia.

They design, supply and install gridconnected building integrated photovoltaic sys­tems, as well as for off-grid systems.

Together with their sister company Lucas Works Sdn Bhd, which provides the building technology for cost efficient, energy efficient and thermal comfort green homes, the 2010 Europa Award winner has the complete solution for energy efficiency and renewable energy for the building industry. This Malaysian, selffunded enter­prise started out as a housing developer. According to Lincoln Lee, Executive Director, “In the business, we saw the challenges facing the industry and the house buyers. For the developers there was the problem of getting skilled workers, the large amount of foreign workers needed, levy etc.

House buyers on the other hand were faced with oven hot houses, poor workmanship, late delivery and substandard quality of houses. With that, we worked on a solution for the houses to be energy efficient, cost energy efficient, fast to build and yet with high quality finishing and well built. Once we have done with the energy

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VVIP table

Persistency the key in ‘going green’ Persistency has been the key for the main stakeholders in the enterprise, Executive Director, Mr. Lincoln Lee and his wife and Managing Director Mrs. Lee Su May. Their belief that everyone should aspire to have

Spanish cuisine as enjoyed by the guests

Flamenco extravaganza

buildings that are sustainable has been the primary driving force behind their business.

When asked if other companies in Malaysia could repeat their success Mr. Lee was hopeful but realistic. “Yes. Companies should look at taking a long term approach towards turning green. It is unrealistic to

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expect companies to turn “green” 100% over­night. They can do it in stages. For example, say a company wants to incorporate green products and services into their business, and they plan to build a new building. They can start with green technologies in that building-low carbon, energy efficient, rain water harvesting, renewable energy features for that building. Following that they can adopt other steps to continue with their effort to go green.” He also added that companies wishing to go green should not “burn their pocket.” After all, according to Mr. Lee, “Going green is about conserving resources.” He firmly believes the expen­diture of going green should not make one spend unnecessarily.

Challenges The key challenges facing an up and coming SME like Laurenz are “human mindset and apathy” according to Managing Director, Mrs. Lee Su May. However she also believes it will become easier in the future to go green in Malaysia with the growing cove­ rage and education within the Green Tech sector. As for perceived extra costs in going green, Mrs. Su May was unambi­guous in her response. “Going green doesn’t have to be more expensive. That is a wrong idea.

Our approach is always never to burden the client with additional cost in going green.“ Membership of the EUMCCI and the future…

“Membership in the EUMCCI, along with winning the Europa Awards 2010 has given us the chance to showcase our tech­ nology and specialty in the green technology sector, and enhance our standing with our European counterparts and suppliers,” according to Mr. Lee. As for the future, Mr. and Mrs. Lee will be busy in the coming months and years; “Currently we have a lot of projects going on, since we have the largest number of Suria 1000 winning bids. We are also doing research on solar cooling technologies. Other future plans include large scale rooftop solar plants, and moving our business into other countries,” said Mr. Lee.

by P. Kelleher

EUMCCI Europa Awards 2010

Europa Awards 2010

EUMCCI Review

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15

Crises Plans

World Economy Set to Catch a Cold The way we do business in the twenty-first century has become heavily reliant on time and efficiency and business has become more streamlined than ever. If we can produce a product or service quicker, faster, smarter or more cost effectively without diminishing our reputation or the quality of the product, we invariably will. Despite the initial paranoia in the immediate post 9/11 era, the airlines industry has become crucial to the way we do business. If was often said in the post cold war, uni-polar world, that if the United States was to sneeze the rest of the world would catch a cold, such was the economic importance and political might of the worlds one remaining superpower after the fall of the Berlin wall. It may not be completely inaccurate to suggest that now, in 2010 the airline industry has a similar sort of relationship with the global economy.

Does your business have crisis management plans in place in case of natural disasters?

Unplanned events have devastating effects on business. On a small scale, staff illness, damage to equipment and stock, and IT failure can all make it difficult, perhaps even impossible, to carry out a normal daily workload. These unplanned events can result in loss of earnings and in some cases even closure of businesses. In the twentyfirst century, many businesses will have taken steps to minimise any potential impacts of such events – and can often help prevent these issues before they even arise.

While much of what has been mentioned may not necessarily be regular day to day occurrences, they are events which at one point or another have impacted most businesses whether in Malaysia, Europe or elsewhere. The EU, the largest economy in the world and the largest single trading entity, is Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner and its second largest source of FDI. Business between the EU and Malaysia is

growing year on year despite the downturn in the global economy. However it is because of recent economic setbacks that business between Malaysia and the EU cannot afford to be negatively impacted by outside external elements. Businesses simply

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have to prepare for such setbacks.

Now take an earthquake or a volcano, a hurricane, an act of terrorism, large ash clouds across most of northern Europe, a deadly strain of influenza or an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These are large scale, some natural some not, disasters which have created havoc for businesses around the world over the past number of years. These are events that business cannot plan for, or can they?

Ash clouds over Europe Although the dust has now settled on the volcanic ash cloud crisis caused by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, in mid April, many businesses around the world have been left with a dark, gloomy, financial cloud hanging over them. The immediate impact resulted in most Northern and Western European airports being completely shutdown.

In the days immediately after the crisis emerged, the EU remained largely silent on the issue until a meeting of transport ministers in Brussels several days after the initial closure of airspace. All in all, the EU are insistent that the lessons learned from this episode will result in authorities being better prepared and better equipped to gauge conditions in case of future volcanic eruptions or indeed other natural disasters. In 2010, businesses have a just-intime mentality which insists on the importance of factories and retailers in building efficient, lengthy supply chains and keep as little capital and warehouse space

EUMCCI Review

as possible tied up in inventory. Globalisation has meant that companies from the EU may now source components from Malaysia and vice versa. Our reliance on air travel has increased considerably over the past number of years. This is a statistic backed up by International Air Transport Association (IATA) figures showing the continued monthly increase in growth rates for total international traffic.

Take an earthquake or a volcano, or a hurricane, an act of terrorism, large ash clouds across most of northern Europe, a deadly strain of influenza or an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These are events that business cannot plan for, or can they?

Counting the Cost Disruptions were estimated to have cost the airlines upwards of â‚Ź150 million a day.

Between April 15 and April 22, over one hundred thousand flights were grounded.

Gauging the full economic impact of the crisis will take time. The European Commission estimates total losses in the

region of €1.5 to €2.5 billion. The airspace closure left holidaymakers, businessmen and women alike stranded in all four corners of the globe, some without money, others without adequate medical supplies to last them and some even without a roof over their heads at night. Goods were left undelivered, meetings unattended, bills unpaid, services not provided. Just as the

world now has plans in place for man-made disruptions such as terrorism, so too should we now have similar plans for natural disasters.

Impact on Business These crises have brought a number of other questions to the fore, such as how did business re-act in the immediate aftermath of the crisis? Did they have disaster relief plans in place? How did companies assist their employees who were left stranded in various parts of the world in the case of the ash crisis? How did businesses transport their goods to retailers around the world?

What alternative measure were businesses forced to take to ensure bills were paid, deadlines were met, meetings took place and overall affect to their organisation was minimised? Did com­panies force those stranded to take their allocated vacation days? How did different companies in different sectors cope with the unexpected problems they faced due to the unforeseen closure of European airspace? Given the unpre­cedented nature of the crisis perhaps the questions should be; how should business have reacted and indeed how can we prepare for another similar crisis should it arrive and do they intend to put crisis management plans in place in case of future natural disasters?

Survey In a recent survey conducted among our members, EUMCCI has found that the volcanic ash clouds over Northern Europe in

civil aviation authorities in Europe has overreacted by closing airspace, more than half surveyed said no, while less than half of companies felt authorities had overreacted. Among those surveyed, just under half believed that the responsibility in such a crisis for new socially responsible management plans to be put in place lies with the airlines. Less than a third felt government should be given the task of dealing with such crises, with a quarter feeling that the businesses themselves should be left to develop plans in the event of similar crises occurring.

The events that unfolded in Europe in April have raised questions about the way in which our global economy operates. The Icelandic ash clouds will negatively impact on the bank balances of businesses in every sector in every industry, almost without exception. Whether your business is in retail, finance, tourism, logistics, aviation or electronics, no one sector will escape the

EUMCCI Review

repercussions. Various sources claim that the volcanic ash over Iceland and much of Europe negatively impacted travel for nearly 80% of companies, at an average cost of €250,000 per company. Given the precarious nature of the global economy this is not something which many businesses can afford to happen again in the future.

Lessons Lessons clearly must be learned from the events of April 2010. In a world where little shocks or surprises anymore, it is crucial that businesses must prepare for future global events affecting them. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is just another example of this. This should force businesses, particularly in that industry to rethink disaster relief plans. It seems extremely unlikely that BP had anticipated the biggest oil spill in US history on of all days, earth day, and less than two weeks before an oil industry luncheon on ‘offshore drilling safety’ was due to take place in which BP were reported to have been a finalist. The point is that no one single company thinks it will happen to them, but invariably it will happen to one company at some point. On June 10, BP has said that the total cost on efforts to contain the oil spill will exceed €1.2 billion, and the companies share price continues to fall. The company may now also be hit with compensation claims from other companies affected by the spill. Climate cataclysm is only one in a long list of risks facing the world in the twenty-first century. Tainted

“

To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated

”

James Carse, Religious scholar

Chinese milk, terrorism and pandemics such as SARS, avian flu and most recently H1N1 have, over the past decade, impacted the way people live their lives in various parts of the world. With each disaster we have become less sensitive, and with it, less prepared for similar events occurring in the future. As religious scholar James Carse said, “To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.” Business must educate itself.

by P. Kelleher

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Crises Plans

Between April 15 and April 22, over one hundred thousand flights were grounded. Gauging the full economic impact of the crisis will take time. The European Commission estimates total losses in the region of €1.5 to €2.5 billion.

April impacted upon around three quarters of business in some way. A smaller percentage however actually had disaster relief or recovery plans in operation at the time. Of the companies that didn’t have a plan in place before the ash cloud crisis, more than half will still not implement one in the future in case of a similar event occurring again. In the initial stages of the crisis, most companies were able to initiate direct contact with employees and customers affected by the closure of airspace. Only a few waited until the crisis was over to resume normal business practice. It took one month for nearly a quarter of respondents to return to regular working conditions. The biggest problems facing businesses during the crisis were; uncertainty over when airspace would reopen; cancellation of meetings and the failure of goods and services to be delivered or arrive on time. When asked if they felt

IGEM: Green Future is now

Events

As the global economy moves towards In addressing the interde­ an economic transformation into a pendence of human econo­ greener economy, Malaysia has also mies and natural ecosystem, risen to this challenge through the the conference will also give establishment of its Ministry of Energy, focus to Green Technology Green Technology & Water (KeTTHA) policies while promoting with the vision of Green Technology Green Technology and as the emerging driver of economic Products in line with the growth for Malaysia. As part of its nation’s vision of Green effort to facilitate the development of Malaysia. knowledge society which will encourage the nation to embrace a Speaking at the official sustainable and better way of living, launch, YB Dato’ Sri Peter YB Dato’ Sri Peter Chin, Minister of Energy, Green Technology & Water YB Dato’ Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Malaysia and Minna Saneri, General Manager EUMCCI Chin said, “My ministry and Minister of Energy, Green Technology GPNM, as the organizers for & Water Malaysia officially announced the conference call for this big event (IGEM 2010 exhibition & conference), would like the International Green Technology & Purchasing Conference to foster the creation and development of a new breed of eco2010 which will be held on 15 and 16 October in conjunction preneurs for the growth of green economy in this country. It is, with the International Greentech & Eco-Products Exhibition & therefore, our hope that our entrepreneurs will grab this Conference Malaysia 2010 (IGEM) from 14 – 17 October 2010 opportunity to find suitable partners and form partnerships in at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. the green economy.”

Themed ‘Green Future: Low Carbon, Green Growth’, the 2-day high-powered international conference aims to present strategies and commercial viable solutions in 6 major sectors: • green energy • green building • transportation • resource recovery & waste management • green financing • green purchasing & sustainable public procurement

IGEM 2010 will take place at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from October 14 – 17, 2010. The exhibition begins at 10.30 a.m. daily with free admission. For October 14 & 15, the exhibition is only open for trade visitors by invitation or business card registration while, October 16 & 17 are open for both trade and public visitors.

For more information, please log on to www.igem.com.my.

The EU at IGEM Green technology is the way forward towards a sustainable environment to ensure a brighter world for future generations.

The International Green tech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2010, or IGEM 2010, which takes place between October 14-17, will not only create awareness and promote the continuing development and increased importance of green technology, but will also encourage industry in Malaysia to be more innovative and cutting edge and at the fore front of the global growth in green technology.

IGEM will promote Malaysia as a regional green economy hub for green technology, eco products and services. It aims to create New Deal opportunities for international buyers, sellers, manufacturers and innovators. The EU-Malaysia Chamber of

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Commerce and Industry and the EU Delegation to Malaysia and the EU Member States, have teamed up to offer EU companies the chance to exhibit at one of three pavilions at IGEM 2010 which are designated for the EU. Your participation in IGEM, whether as a exhibitor or conference participant is vitally important as it will ensure your business is operating in the right direction of green growth. It is not simply a selling place between Malaysia on the European Union, or East and West; it will instead be the union of new innovative ideas in green technology and expertise to be given the opportunity for growth and expansion.

More details on participation at IGEM can be found at the EUMCCI website. For further information, please log on to www.eumcci.com for details.

EUMCCI Review

A GREEN NEW DEAL

INTERNATIONAL GREEN TECHNOLOGY & PURCHASING CONFERENCE 2010

IGEM2010 incorporating ECOEX aims to provide an essential platform to feature innovative eco-products, green technologies and services. It is a prestigious venue where green product buyers and sellers meet and conduct transactions.

•Green Future: Low Carbon Green Growth

IGEM2010 is positioned to take lead and gather industry players and professionals from various sectors, public and private, big and small, local and foreign, new as well as established, to explore and seize the many opportunities from the exciting and emerging green market in the country and the region.

WORKSHOPS

This four-day event is expected to draw on more than 500 booths featuring products & services from around the world and over 120,000 visitors. Don’t miss out on the green opportunities and register your participation now.

October 15 – 16, 2010 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Kuala Lumpur & Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia

•Calculating Carbon Credits under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) •Carbon Footprint Labels October 16 – 17, 2010 Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia

DISTINGUISHED AND INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SPEAKERS “Factor Five: Transforming the Global Economy through Energy & Resource Productivity” Professor Dr. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker “Market Driver for Green Growth: Solution to Combating Climate Change by Green Purchasing” Professor Ryoichi Yamamoto

”Policy Dimensions of Climate Change” Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri > Plus 80 more renowned local & international speakers

The EUMCCI Annual General Meeting

Events

The EUMCCI AGM was opened by Chairman David Jones who gave a review of the chambers financial statements, events and activities during the previous twelve months. Mr. Jones outlined some of the events EUMCCI had organised during the year including VIP luncheons with the EU Ambassador, H.E. Vincent Piket, YB Dato Seri Peter Chin, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, YB Dato Tan Sri Abdul Khalid, Chief Minister of Selangor, YB Dato’ Seri Ong Tee Keat, Minister of Transport, and YB Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff, Deputy Minister of Defense. EUMCCI publications throughout the year have included the quarterly Review, CSR book and the EUMCCI Trade Issues and Recommendations publications.

Committees The EUMCCI Committees are at the very heart of what the EUMCCI is aiming to achieve in Malaysia. Mr. Jones also told the members of the work the 12 sectoral Committees have been doing over the last year. Aside from developing position papers and opening up dialogue with important government and private bodies such as MITI, Tenaga, MDTCC, MOHR and MOHE, the Committees have

Dato’ Robert Teo, David Jones, Casear Loong, and Jean Francois Jadin at the EUMCCI AGM

organised events and activities in the areas of IPR, Defense and Security, Logistics, Air Transport, CSR, Financial Services and Green Technology. The EEGT Committee has teamed up with the Ministry of Green Technology in trying to attract European companies to participate in the first IGEM exhibition to be held in Malaysia.

The board of directors of EUMCCI

events, conferences, press releases and promotions. The chamber is currently working on updating its website to make it an easier, more enjoyable and more beneficial experience for all its members.

EU Project 2010-2012 In conjunction with the EU Delegation to Malaysia, the EUMCCI is six months into a three year EU project which aims to develop EUMalaysia relations in sectors such as Logistics, ICT, Financial Services, Green Technology, Energy, Waste and Water. The project will do so through a series of meetings, dialogues, roundtable discussions, technical seminars and conferences with the relevant Malaysian authorities. The objectives of the project are to enhance and develop EU-Malaysian economic cooperation, to promote European standards and best practices and to provide business opportunities for European companies in Malaysia. In 2010 in the area of Green Technology alone, the project has organised a very successful Expert Transfer Session by EU experts on policy and legislative issues in Green Technology at Putrajaya in early June. The projects next big activity will be the organising of the EU participation in the three EU pavilions at the IGEM 2010 from 14-17 October.

The Future for the Chamber The EUMCCI plans for 2010/11 to have greater participation in various government Committees and think-tank’s, with a focus on advocacy and market access. It will, according to Mr. Jones, “further encourage various government meetings and Communications and Visibility dialogues.” The EUMCCI will also look at The EUMCCI continues to grow with well developing further opportunities for over 1200 members. The objectives of the Dato’ Robert Teo and other attendees at the recent Malaysian and European companies along EUMCCI AGM chamber remain the same; to enhance the with continued support and work on EU profile and image in Malaysia. The EUMCCI has created a current project initiatives in the various sectors. Mr. Jones told those continuous line of communication and hence greater visibility for its present of the EUMCCI’s plans to develop a succession plan seeking members through the annual EUMCCI Trade Issues and greater participation from senior business leaders and review Recommendations book, EU-Malaysia Trade Forum, EUMCCI Review mechanisms to secure improved financial independence.

Magazine, e-bulletin, EUMCCI Business Directory along with various

by P. Kelleher

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July

EUMCCI Review

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Having Lunch with Khazanah

Events

Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Khazanah) is the investment holding arm of the Government of Malaysia entrusted to hold and manage the commercial assets of the Government and to undertake strategic investments. The role of Khazanah is to promote economic growth and to streng­ then the competitiveness and resilience of the Malaysian economy.

Khazanah is monitoring the management of existing projects while also identifying assets that can better be managed by the private sector. The organisation has holdings in over 50 countries and is investing in new projects like Iskandar Malaysia. The organi­sation is also investing in new companies in developing sectors like tourism and leisure. 80% of the investments are direct Malaysian investments, with the remaining 20% being supplied from foreign investment.

Mr. Ganen Sarvananthan, Executive Director Investments of Khazanah, held his presenta­ tion to a large audience of stakeholders from EUMCCI. Mr. Ganen was happy to speak in front of an EU audience, having

Nirukt Sapru (Head of Financial Services EUMCCI), Jean Francois Jadin (Head of Education Committee EUMCCI) and Olof Rapp, Managing Director at Rolls-Royce Malaysia Sdn Bhd

studies in the UK and enjoyed a lot of Europe’s cultural assets. On Monday 28th June, 90 members and guests of EUMCCI attended the presentation at a luncheon in the Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur. After introducing Khazanah Nasional, Mr. Ganen elaborated on Iskandar Malaysia, one of Khazanah’s main long term key development projects.

Iskandar is the southern development corri­ dor in Johor that has been identified as one of the catalyst developments to spur the

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growth of the Malaysian economy. The Iskandar area covers 221,634 hectares (2,217 sq km) of land area within the southern-most part of Johor. The development region encompasses an area of about three times the size of Singapore and twice the size of Hong Kong. The vision of Khazanah Nasional is ‘To develop Iskandar Malaysia into a strong and sustainable EUMCCI Chairman David Jones with Mr. Ganen Sarvanthan, Executive Director of Investments of Khazanah

spread out, with a variety of companies”, and he also stressed his willingness “to invite EU and Singaporean investors to Iskandar Malaysia.” Khazanah is investing in clusters of small start-ups, in order to be able to support these sectors and make sure that at least some of them will be successful.

Event attracted a large audience

Mr. Ganen explained that a new project like this is metropolis of international developed in phases citing standing, offering the previous Malaysian projects right balance of the right such as the development ingredients to invest, of Cyberjaya, near Kuala work, live and play.’

Lumpur. Cyberjaya received much criticism particularly Six service-based sectors regarding the lack of have been identified as lifestyle possibilities. Now new pillars to strengthen Bernhard Rack and Tan Sri Althoff in Iskandar Malaysia, existing economic sectors greater attention is paid to in the region. These will support the improving areas like this significantly. For attainment of greater long-term growth example, a marina is being developed and and stability for the Iskandar economy. there are also plans to create a Legoland, Some companies are already operating like the one near Billund in Denmark. For within Iskandar Malaysia. These companies this, Khazanah teamed-up with Merlin are in competitive industries, mainly service entertainment from the UK, a company based. The six targeted sectors are as owned 20% by Lego itself. Some of the follows: specific areas in Iskandar Malaysia are not • Creative opened for development yet, until other • Education areas are finalised but what is clear is that • Financial advisory and consulting lessons have been learned fro the past.

• Healthcare • Logistics Mr. Ganen placed emphasis on the long • Tourism term vision of Khazanah. The KPIs for Khazanah are based on short term, midKhazanah has invited local and foreign term and long term targets. Also, the investors to look at possibilities with amount of public funding that is invested in Iskandar Malaysia. The area is a long term the project is largely based on money that growth area whereby in 2025, the was allocated in the Johor area already. population is expected to rise from 1.4 Investments are there to ensure employment, million to 3 million people and the GDP will improve education, healthcare and security triple from RM20 billion to RM93 billion by and as such benefitting the people who live 2025. Mr. Ganen emphasised the there. importance of seeing “investments more

by K. van Dalsem

EUMCCI Review

Women’s Empowerment and Human Rights: Perspectives from Malaysia

Community based organisations that support Women’s Empowerment are often under represented and under supported.

Women’s Empowerment educates and

empowers women with the skills and confidence necessary to develop productive work, create a healthy lifestyle and support themselves, their children and their communities. It is a central building block of successful economic development and part of the UN Millennium Development Goals and well as the Malaysian Government Development Targets.

The participants to the event were mainly representatives of corporations deeply involved in the preservation of the human rights of women, children and refugees. All of them were interested in supporting the participating organisations not only with financial aid and donations, but above all

helping women to rebuild their life by overcoming all the physical and psychological sufferings that they suffered.

EUMCCI CSR Committee would like to express its gratitude to all supporters and sponsors of this event: Mang Tha; Alliance of Chin refugees, Womens’ Aid Organi­ sation, Health Equity Initiatives, OWW Consulting. Academy of Responsible Management and Malaysian Institute of Management, Venue sponsored by Melia Kuala Lumpur.

A special thank you for OWW Consulting for their initiatives and for coordinating the speakers to the event.

Mark your diary for the EUMCCI Annual

Wine, Beer and Cheese Festival!

EUMCCI is once again proud to organise the signature European Wine, Beer and Cheese Fest. A fine selection of wines, beers and cheeses from the wide European repertoire is served exclusively to the passionate wine, beer and cheese lovers among our members.

This truly is a fun event which is not to be missed.

Keep a date with us for a fun filled evening of networking, eating, drinking and mingling with friends.

Date: 29th October 2010 Venue: Grand Nirvana Ballroom,

Crowne Plaza Mutiara Kuala Lumpur.

Time: 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm Win two tickets to a European destination of your choice in our Grand Prize draw sponsored by Qatar Airways. Choose from one of twenty-three of Qatar’s European routes!

If you would like to participate as one of the exhibitors of delicious European culinary delights,please contact Events Manager Ms. Geetha Veerasamy at events@eumcci.com

EUMCCI Review

July

23

Events

On July 13th, the EUMCCI CSR Committee organised a presentation in Hotel Melia Kuala Lumpur. This EUMCCI CSR Forum on ‘Women’s Empowerment and Human Rights’ offered a platform for some of Malaysia’s leading advocates of Women’s Empowerment to highlight the issues, their programmes and to invite support of EUMCCI’s stakeholders. The organisations involved with the presentation were Mang Tha, Womens’ Aid Organisation and Health Equity Initiatives.

Members’ Corner

MELIÃ Kuala Lumpur Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

by Commemorating the Past, Present and Future On 3rd June 2010, Melia Kuala Lumpur celebrated its 20th Anniversary. The event was a celebration of 20 years of challenges and triumphs. It was a celebration of the past, present and future of Melia Kuala Lumpur with their business partners, stakeholders and Associates who have served Melia Kuala Lumpur for the past 20 years.

Melia Kuala Lumpur was also celebrated by His Excellency Jose Ramon Baranano, Ambassador of Spain to Malaysia, Ms. Nancy Ning, the Area VP of Administration of Sol Melia APAC, Ms. Sharon Lee, Area VP of Sales & Marketing – Melia Brand and also Mr. Maceda, the operation analyst from the cooperate office.

Timeline” – an exhibition of all the happenings in Melia Kuala Lumpur from the year 1990 till present. All the former General Managers and their achievements were highlighted in the exhibition as well. A special performance from Spain – the Flamenco dance was performed by the Tiritiran group, who were flown in from Spain for this special occasion.

Arno Thony, GM of Melia and H. E. Jose Ramon Barañano, Ambassador of Spain, joined by Ms. Nancy Ning, Sharon Lee, and Mr. Maceda of Melia

Approximately 200 guests attended the cocktail reception at the M2 level. The highlight of the event was the ‘Melia

The night also hosted 22 associates who have served Melia Kuala Lumpur for the past 20 years. Recognition was given to these loyal and dedicated associates by the Corporate Office as well as a certificate from the Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Escarer, were presented to them.

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel and The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa ranked as one of world’s best hotels on Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ list Expedia® travelers have ranked Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel and The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list.

The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.

“We are pleased that our efforts have been acknowledged by Expedia travelers and we look forward to extending our high level of service to even more guests,” said Wolfgang Boettcher, General Manager of Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel. Echoing the statement, Helmut Pluecker, General Manager of The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa commented that “We are always inspired to deliver the best to all our guests, leaving them a memorable experience during their stays here.”

The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia. Statistics are combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees worldwide, resulting in an easy-to-browse list that provides travelers a powerful way to find the perfect hotel using the trusted insight of other travelers like them. The list showcases the diverse selection of travel destinations and hotel properties.

Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa ranked as one of the world’s best hotels by Expedia Insiders Select 2010 Sheraton Imperial KL Hotel ranked as one of the world’s best hotels by Expedia Insiders Select 2010

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July

EUMCCI Review

Qatar Airways Named Among Top Three International Carriers At Skytrax World Airline Awards 2010

The national carrier of Qatar which remains one of a select-few carriers with a certified 5-Star ranking, also claimed the World’s Best Business Class award in one of the most hotly contested categories. The

airline’s Business Class catering was recog­ nised separately as the best in the world.

At the awards, Qatar Airways earned the title Best Airline in the Middle East for a fifth consecutive year. Qatar Airways also became the first airline to receive the Staff Service Excellence Award for the Middle East. The new award replaces the Best Cabin Staff in the Middle East category, which Qatar Airways has won for the past seven years. The expanded category now

includes airline staff at all passenger touch points, including onboard, reservations, check-in and airport personnel.

This award-winning service is available 11 times weekly from Kuala Lumpur with Qatar Airways operating non-stop flights between the Malaysian capital and Doha using the airline’s Boeing 777-300 Extended Range fleet and also Airbus A330 aircraft in a twoclass configuration.

New Programmes from Universiti Tun Abdul Razak’s Razak School of Government Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK), Malaysia’s leading boutique university, is launching several new programmes for public sector professional development via one of its flagship faculties, the Razak School of Government (RSoG). These pro­grammes are designed to develop a dynamic and knowledgeable human capital that is capable of managing the public service in a challenging and competitive global environ­ment. The new programmes are the Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (Government and Public Policy) (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (Leadership) (Hons). RSoG will also be offering a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) before long.

internship stints intended to provide handson experience in management and administrative positions in the public sector agencies. Internship pro­grammes will be developed in collaboration with public

Graduates of RSoG will complete their degree programme with

Universiti Tun Abdul Razak’s Razak School of Government campus

sector agencies and students will register after the completion of all required courses.

Assoc. Prof. Dato’ Mohd Ibrahim Hj. Abu Bakar, Dean of RSoG sums up, “Our programmes have been specially designed to produce a new breed of leaders, public managers, administra­ tors, analyst, econo­mists and managers who are ready to face a challenging and highly competitive world environment that is in the making.”

Please visit http://rsog.unirazak.edu. my for more information.

Danish Incubation Cell opened in Kuala Lumpur The Danish Incubation Cell of the Danish Trade Department in Kuala Lumpur is ready to enhance Danish SMEs within Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to find Malaysian partners. As the DANIDA Program will come to an end by the end of 2010 after 16 years of co-operation and a high number of successful projects, the environmental support will continue on a commercial basis.

The Trade Department has great expertise in guiding newcomers to establish themselves at the Malaysian Market by delivering relevant sector information and by developing valuable contacts to Malaysian Companies.

EUMCCI Review

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25

Members’ Corner

Qatar Airways is currently ranked among the top three airlines in the world. The honour was among several awards that the airline collected at the 2010 Skytrax World Airline Awards, in Hamburg, Germany in May.

Members’ Corner

QATAR Airways

Expands In 2010

Qatar Airways, the Middle’s East only 5-star carrier, has lined up an impressive list of new destinations for 2010, as well as a number of capacity and frequency upgrades across its network as part of the airline’s continued aggressive expansion strategy.

Over the past six months, the carrier has introduced flights to Bengaluru (Bangalore), Copenhagen, Ankara, Tokyo and Barcelona.

After Stockholm, the Danish capital of Copenhagen is the second Scandinavian destination served by the airline with four flights a week, non-stop from Doha. This was followed by the launch of four non-stop services a week from Doha to Ankara, supporting its existing scheduled services to Istanbul. Starting June 7, Qatar Airways’ European network receives another boost with non-stop flights between Doha and Barcelona – after Madrid, the airline’s second Spanish destination.

Starting June 24, Qatar Airways spreads its wings to South America for the first time with daily flights to Sao Paulo in Brazil and the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires.

From October 2010, the Doha-based airline will launch six more new routes in Europe and Asia over a four-month period. Kicking off the growth drive on October 11 will be daily flights to Phuket which will operate via Kuala Lumpur.

Beginning November 1, Qatar Airways adds Hanoi to its network with four flights a week via Bangkok. November 24 marks the launch of the carrier’s European expansion drive with thrice-weekly flights to the French Mediterranean city of Nice. Operating via Milan, the Nice operation will strengthen Qatar Airways’ services to France, where it already operates to the capital Paris.

“Our strategy is to expand our international network to key global destinations, served through our operational hub in Doha, while enhancing our existing services with more frequency and more capacity. We endeavour to operate a young fleet of aircraft where safety and service is paramount. With an average aircraft age of three years, we offer our passengers a higher quality product than our competitors,” says Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker.

“Budapest, Bucharest, Brussels, Nice, Hanoi and Phuket represent markets underserved so these are excellent opportunities for us to tap into.”

While transiting at Doha International Airport, Business Class passengers can experience the world’s first dedicated passenger terminal for First and Business Class passengers. The Premium Terminal offers dedicated First and Business Class check-in desks to the respective lounges, concierge meet and greet services for passengers prior to check-in, a spa, Jacuzzi and sauna for passengers to unwind before their flight, massage treatment rooms, shower and wash rooms, meeting venues, a 24-hour medical centre, duty free shopping area, to name but a few services on offer.

By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline’s fleet stands at 84 aircraft, flying to 90 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North and South America.

The New Year sees Qatar Airways’ entry into Eastern Europe with the launch of four flights a week to the Romanian capital of Bucharest from January 17. The services continue on to Budapest, capital city of Hungary.

Qatar Airways has orders for 80 Airbus A350s, 60 Boeing 787s and 32 Boeing 777s, with deliveries of the latter having started in November 2007. The airline is one of the customers of the twindeck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five on order and scheduled for delivery from 2012, by which time the New Doha International Airport would have opened.

And with five flights a week from January 31, the Belgian capital of Brussels rounds off an impressive list of destinations for the airline, which has maintained its strategy of opening exciting new routes globally since launching just 13 years ago.

For more information and flight booking, call Qatar Airways at +603-2118 6100 or visit www.qatarairways.com/my

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EUMCCI Review

Transforming Academia, Industry and Community Engagement through Strategic Partnerships

Members’ Corner

Prof Dr Saran Kaur Gill Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Partnerships), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia There is a greater demand from society at large to be able to see the returns of the expenditure invested in higher education.

There is therefore a strong need to work towards ensuring that higher education is relevant and responsive to the larger society which comprises community, industry, government agencies, professional associa­ tions and non-governmental organisations.

UKM established the portfolio of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Partnerships to develop, maintain and sustain the university as a leading player in forging mutually beneficial partnerships

between the university, industry and com­ munity.

To leapfrog our efforts in developing strategic partnerships, UKM will leverage on national, regional and international plat­ forms to create a multiplier effect that benefits all stakeholders. The Committee of the Deputy Vice Chancellors for Industry/ Community Partnerships in Malaysian public universities has been established, and UKM is the chair for 2010. This committee would be an ideal foundation for the formation of a National University Engagement Network in Malaysia - a platform for higher edu­

cations institutions to work together in a meaningful, systematic and exciting manner, to share best practices and consolidate their expertise to contribute to the growth of the nation.

The strategic triangular relationship between university, community and industry is vital to Malaysia’s development. Universities, industries and communities have a wealth of intellectual capital and expertise, and have much to gain through strategic engagement with one another.

Finnish Higher Education Makes Entry to Malaysia On June 29th HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences, a new member of EUMCCI, initiated activities of export of education to Malaysia by signing a Memo­ randum of Understanding with Lincoln College in Kuala Lumpur.

The agreement between HAAGA-HELIA and Lincoln College formalizes discussions of collaboration initiated in November 2009 when delegates from HAAGA-HELIA visited Malaysia as part of the official visit of the Finnish prime minister.

The guest of honor to the signing event, Datin Prof. Siti Hamisah Tapsir, Deputy Direc­ tor General of the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia, gave a short address

at the ceremony in which she expressed the strong support of the Ministry of Higher Education for inter­nationalizing Malaysian higher education.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Prof. Datuk Dr. Ir. Badaruddin Nordin, CEO of Lincoln College and Dr. Lauri Tuomi, Vice President of HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences.

The agreement signed encompasses faculty and student exchanges, degree partnership programmes, as well as collaboration in teaching, research, curriculum development and consultancy services.

Dr. Lauri Tuomi, VP of HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences and Prof. Datuk Dr. Ir Badaruddin Nordin, CEO of Lincoln College

The signing ceremony was hosted by the Ambassador of Finland, his Excellency Mr. Tapio Saarela at his residence in Kuala Lumpur.

One World Hotel Wins Prestigious Awards One World Hotel won the prestigious BrandLaureate – SMEs Chapter Awards 2009 under the category of Corporate Branding for Best Brands in Hotel – Business presented by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF). Also, the hotel’s coffee house, Cinnamon won the best Innovative Restaurant under the international

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restaurant category at the recent 16th Malaysia Tourism Awards. The award recognises restaurant that have contributed positively to Malaysia’s image as an attractive ‘gourmet paradise’.

Commenting on the selection of One World Hotel for the BrandLaureate Award, general

EUMCCI Review

manager Mr Ho Hoy Sum said “We are honoured to receive this award as it is a reflection of One World Hotel’s excellent service and facilities; and endorse our position as the leading 5-star hotel in Petaling Jaya. This award is dedicated to our staff who have delivered and provided the best of service to our guests.”

10th Malaysia Plan

The PM alluded to the fact that today Malaysia faces new challenges in 2010. No longer can Malaysia expect to continue growing while relying on past strategies.

“Malaysia needs a new approach, a new enthusiasm and a new determination driven by the 1Malaysia spirit, to propel the country to the next level of high growth.”

For Malaysia to realize it’s ambition and become a developed, sustainable and high income economy, the gross national income per capita will have to increase to RM38, 850 (EUR9,900) by 2015. At present figures,

this will require an increase in GDP growth of 6% annually.

Economic growth for Malaysia will be targeted towards efficient use of resources in sectors in which Malaysia has a competitive advantage.

The 10th Malaysia Plan is based on 10 key ideas and has five strategic thrusts which the PM has identified.

10 Ideas behind MP • Internally driven, externally aware • Leveraging on our diversity internationally • Transforming to a high-income nation through specialization • Unleashing productivity-led growth and innovation • Nurturing, attracting and retaining top talent • Ensuring equality of opportunities and safeguarding the vulnerable • Concentrated growth, inclusive development

• Supporting effective and smart partnerships • Valuing our envi­ronmental endow­ments • The Government as a competitive corpo­ ration 5 Strategic Thrusts Five strategic thrusts have been identified under the plan tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last month.

• Designing Government philosophy and approach to transform Malaysia through the National Key Results Areas • Creating a conducive environment for unleashing economic growth • Moving towards inclusive socio-economic development • Developing and retaining a First World talent base • Building an environment that enhances quality of life Sources: http://www.epu.gov.my (Official Website of Economic Planning Unit)

by P. Kelleher

Towards Resilience and Dynamism in the Financial System The 14th Malaysian Banking Summit 2010 was held at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur hotel during a hectic two days in late May. This year the theme was: towards resilience and dynamism in the financial system and the aim of the summit was to highlight insights on how industry leaders are charting future road-maps focusing on key strategic, opera­ tional and technology issues. The panels discussed a wide variety of topics; including risk management, customer’s expectations and experiences, and next generation banking systems.

Mr Muhammad Sha’ani b. Abdullah from Federation of Malaysian Consumer Asso­ ciation, was one of the panellists in the session on the subject of customers’ ex­ pectations and experiences. Mr Muhammad highlighted the need for a more transparent market in which companies would take more responsibilities. Moreover he stated that it is of the highest importance that the market becomes more competitive and any

hindrance for foreign companies to esta­ blishing in the Malaysian market is reduced.

Many of the other panellists continued in the same track as Mr Muhammad and talked about the importance of FDI within the financial service sector. The foreign companies bring a lot of value to the market, skills and new technology. Further­ more Malaysia needs to address the “braindrain” challenge that the country is suffering from. It is important to have a solid talentpool that can be used by prospective companies. Education and talent are essen­ tial and key drivers to Malaysian economic growth.

In the session about risk management the panel discussed the impact of new regula­ tions in the Basel II on the financial services sector. The new regulations are focusing on financial ratios, higher liquidity and raising the transparency of the capital base. One of the panel members Mr Anderw Strain Kerr,

EUMCCI Review

Chief Risk Officer, AmBank Group stated that the new regulations demand that a lot of capital have to be allocated. Banks will be forced to go to their shareholders to ask for more capital. In the long-run this will lead to a decrease in returns.

In the future the financial service sector will face challenges that need to be addressed.

The industry is recovering from one of the largest crises in its history and new regulations are being implemented to prevent similar crises. At the same time Malaysian companies have a good oppor­ tunity to learn from others experiences and come out of the crisis as stronger and more competitive.

by U. Starck

July

29

Malaysia News

After much anticipa­tion, the 10th Ma­laysia plan was launched by the Prime Minister on June 10th. In the foreword to the document, the PM called it “another historical milestone as our nation embarks on an important mission towards a progressive and high-income nation as envisioned in Vision 2020.”

Malaysia International Trade and Industry Report 2009 (MITI) 18th Annual Report

Malaysia News

Malaysia International Trade and Industry Report 2009

21st June 2010: Y.B. Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry launched the Malaysia International Trade and Industry Report 2009. According to the Minister, “MITI is gearing up towards, and aligning itself with, the new economic model while also working towards conditions set down by the Prime Minister recently in the 10th Malaysian Plan.” The Minister emphasized the “need to radically transform the Malaysian economy by taking new approaches and developing new mindsets.” The report contains key govern­ment initiatives and achievements along with detailed informa­ tion relating to Malaysian economic activity in the calendar year 2009.

The Minister talked about the challenging times in 2009 for Malaysia and how the global financial crisis tested the strength and resilience of the economy. He said the priority for Malaysia in 2010 is to return to 2008 trade levels after a 16% decrease in 2009, “We want 2010 trade levels to be in

line with 2008 trade num­bers.” trade in goods surplus of The Minister talked about the RM118.4 billion in 2009 for the importance of the manufacturing 12th consecutive year. indus­try, ser­vices sector and • Malaysia’s services sec­tor was SME’s to the Malaysian economy the largest contributor to the while stressing the need for GDP in 2009 accounting for Malay­sia to “do better” in these 57.6% of Malaysia’s GDP in areas. On a positive note, the 2009, up from 55.2% in 2008.

Minister was pleased and • Investment in Malaysia’s “proud of” Malaysia’s ranking Y.B. Dato’ Sri Mustapa manu­facturing sector declined jump from 18th to 10th in the Mohamed, Minister of in 2009, yet several industries recent World Com­petitive­ness International Trade and showed strong growth - Foreign Industry Yearbook (WCY) com­piled by invest­ments made up 67.8% of the Swiss based Institute for Management total invest­ment in manufacturing, with Develop­ment. With the World Bank Report RM22.1 billion coming from, among and World Economic forum figures due out others, Japan (RM7 billion), Hong Kong in September, Minister Mustapa was (RM5.3 billion), U.S. (RM2.3 billion), confident Malaysia can continue its Singapore (RM2 billion) and Chinese improvement mirroring the “big jump” in Taipei (RM716.1 million).

WCY ranking in May. • Malaysia maintained its positions as one of the nations with highest levels of Key elements of 2009 MITI Trade Report: productivity in Asia. Though manufac­ Source (MITI) turing sector productivity contracted by • Malaysia felt the impact of the global 8.6%, services sector productivity grew financial crisis, but through sound policy by 1.7%, Malaysia maintained one of and hard work began to emerge from the highest productivity levels in Asia, at the crisis at the end of 2009 (Grew by US$12,793, ahead of Thailand 4.4% in Q4 of 2009) (US$4,596), PRC (US$3,734), Philippines • Malaysia’s trading volume decreased by (US$3,192), Indonesia (US$2,471) and 16.6% but Malaysia still main­tained a India (US$2,051)

by P. Kelleher

6th World Islamic Economic Forum, KLCC, Kuala Lumpur The 6th World Islamic Economic Forum was opened on the 18th of May at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The forum opened with a talk on women and business held by representatives of Islamic business women. When discussing the issue of women and economics, HRH Princess Lolowah Al Faisal, a member of the Saudi Arabian Royal family with great dedication to women’s education, social and family welfare, stated that “the education of women is a priority against poverty.” She went on to say that in the Islamic faith, men and women are equal, so there must be more real opportunities for women in order to create a more stable society. Her Highness spoke of every woman having the right to receive at least an elementary education, something which would include at least an introductory education in the field of technology. It will be through developing

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July

the education system that more job opportunities can, and will, be created. This would be a significant step forward in the challenge against poverty.

Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Member of the Parlia­ ment, said that in today’s marketplace there isn’t gender differentiation, the marketplace is neutral. The main problem revolves around the meaning of the word ‘success’.

The dictionary doesn’t tell us how to achieve it and how to evaluate it; it doesn’t explain this word in a quantitative and qualitative way. According to Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, “in order to achieve success, we need integrity, ethical behavior and self respect. The recent global crisis is our fault. It is the fault of our unethical behavior in business and of our selfishness. We do need a collective passion to achieve success.” Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz went on to say that “even if this success is

EUMCCI Review

achieved, it will not make much difference if it is obtained using unethical behavior, if it is not shared with the community, and if it does not make us better persons. On the contrary, success makes the difference if there is a positive spin-off, i.e. if the success is shared and achieved without the sacrifice of the general wellbeing.”

Talking about women and the meaning of success, Evelyn Mungai, founder of the All Africa Businesswomen’s Association, is convinced that women can make the difference. In Kenya for example, although women elected to governmental posts can, if elected, affect some real change, their counterparts in the business world sadly cannot do the same. In business, there is a prevalent attitude whereby women are not equal to men. A change in attitude is needed.

by M. Nobile

Malaysia’s New Economic Model Unleashing Country’s Growth Potential

Malaysia has reached a defining moment in its development path. Vision 2020 is not possible without economic, social and government transformation. To move the country forward, the government has crafted a framework comprising four pillars to drive change.

Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) constitutes a key pillar which will propel Malaysia to being an advanced nation with inclusiveness and sustainability in line with the goals set forth in Vision 2020. The ETP will be driven by eight Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRIs) which will form the basis of the relevant policy measures.

Two other pillars have been launched over the past year. They are the 1Malaysia,

People First, Performance Now concept to unite all Malaysians to face the challenges ahead and the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) to strengthen public services in the National Key Result Areas (NKRAs). The last pillar is the 10th Malaysia Plan 2011-2015.

We urgently need a radical change in our approach to economic development which will be sustainable over the long-term, will reach everyone in the country and will enable Malaysia to reach high income status. The NEM will be the catalyst to unleash Malaysia’s growth potential. The ETP is designed to drive Malaysia forward fromits current stagnant situation to be a high income economy which is both inclusive and sustainable.

But the NEM strives for broader goals than just boosting growth and attracting private investment. The NEM takes a holistic approach, focussing also on the human dimension of development, recognising that while we have substantially reduced poverty, a hefty 40% of Malaysian households still earn less than RM1,500 a month. Income disparity must still be actively addressed.

Measures are needed to narrow the economic differences prevalent in Sabah

and Sarawak as well as in the rural areas of the Peninsula.

Malaysia needs urgent transformation. This will be provided by the NEM through 8 Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRIs) and the Economic Transformation Plan (ETP). The most important enablers are the political will and leadership. Big push in policy actions and initiatives is needed to kick start the transformation process.

SRI 1: Re-energise the private sector SRI 2: Developing a quality workforce and reducing dependency on foreign labour SRI 3: Creating a competitive domestic economy SRI 4: Strengthening the public sector SRI 5: Transparent and market friendy affirmative action SRI 6: Building the knowledge base and infrastructure SRI 7: Enhancing the sources of growth SRI 8: Ensuring sustainability of growth The work of NEAC is not complete. The next step is for the NEAC to help formulate and detail policy with key stakeholders, in support of the proposed SRIs.

Malaysia: ICT at the Heart of the 10MP Malaysia’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector appears to be one of the big winners in the state’s latest fiveyear development plan. The government is preparing to roll out new investments in the industry and looking to the private sector to make greater use of ICT as part of a programme aimed at radically overhauling the country’s economy.

Under the plan, all of these key growth areas are expected to make greater use of ICT, which in turn will increase the role played by the sector in the economy. The plan foresees that by 2015, the ICT industry will represent 10.2% of GDP – up from an estimated 9.8% in 2009. The 10MP also calls for a strengthened finance sector to

benefit from improvements to the country’s communications infrastructure and support to be provided to niche areas in software and e-solutions, creative multimedia, shared services and outsourcing, as well as e-business.

According to Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, the chief executive officer of Telekom Malaysia, a number of measures contained in the plan would facilitate Malaysia’s shift to a knowledge-based economy. “As one of Malaysia’s major ICT players, we take the cue from the prime minister’s announcement on the importance of ICT as enabler for the country to leap forward,” Zamzamzairani said. “Deployment of high-speed broadband and ubiquitous broadband for the general

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population will serve as an enabler for enhancing efficiency and productivity in all the 12 national key economic areas identified,” he said.

Source: Oxford Business News

July

31

Malaysia News

The main goals of NEM are that Malaysia will become a high income advanced nation with inclusiveness and sustainability by 2020. The National Economic Action Council foresees that bold reform measures will unlock investment, drive labour productivity and boost efficiency, lifting real growth rate to an average of 6.5% per annum over 2011-2020. Per capita GNP will rise about USD17,700 by 2020.

Complete Rate Sdn Bhd

Box#631, Lot 4-17, 4th Floor, Wisma Central Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603-2161 8336 / 2161 4680 Fax: +603-2164 6595 Email: cr@completerate.com

Chief Executive in Malaysia Mr Francesco Fardella, Director

9, Persiaran Pasak Bumi, Seksyen U8 Bukit Jelutong Business & Technology Centre 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: +603-7845 2291 Fax: +603-7845 2261 Email: teckyang.ho@crown.com Website: www.crown.com

Chief Executive in Malaysia Mr Galvin Kok, General Manager

Level 40, Tower 2, PETRONAS Twin Towers Kuala Lumpur City Centre 50088 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603-2168 4225 Fax: +603-2168 4201 Email:yewsee.loh@fjellglobal.com Website:www.fjellglobal.com

Chief Executive in Malaysia Mr Tore Nedregaard

HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences

Ratapihantie 13, Fl-00520 Helsinki Finland Tel: +358 9 229 611 Email: lauri.tuomi@haaga-helia.fi Website: www.haaga-helia.fi

Chief Executive in Malaysia Dr Lauri Tuomi, Vice-President (R&D&I)

Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology Sdn Bhd

Inovasi 1-1, Jalan Teknokrat 1/1, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: +603-8317 8888 Fax: +603-8317 8988 Email: enquiry@limkokwing.edu.my Website: www.limkokwing.net

Chief Executive in Malaysia Professor Emmeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr Lim Kok Wing President

Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd

MSC Headquarters 2360 Persiaran APEC 63000 Cyberjaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Tel: +603-8315 3000 Fax: +603-8315 3295 Email: clic@mdec.com.my Website: www.mscmalaysia.my

Chief Executive in Malaysia Datuk Badlisham Ghazali

COMPLETE RATE Technology & Services for the Stone Industry

New Members

Crown Equipment Sdn Bhd

Fjell Global Sdn Bhd

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32

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EUMCCI Review

Brief Company Profile Supplier of technology for stone processing and supplier of technology for the production of green technology.

Brief Company Profile Crown is one of the world’s largest lift truck manu­ facturers. Crown designs, manufactures, distributes, services and supports material handling products that provide customers with superior value. With a full product range from our smallest hand pallet truck to our highest lifting turret truck, our goal is to always provide the user with the safest, most efficient and ergonomic lift truck possible to lower total cost of ownership and increase uptime.

Brief Company Profile The Fjell Global Executive Search Team are professionals in their respective fields and with very broad and industry specific network built over a number of years. The Team has seen the executive search industry from all angles, as candidates, clients and executive search specialists.

Brief Company Profile HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Science (UAS) is the largest private UAS in Finland with over 10,000 students and the most international business schools in the country.

Brief Company Profile International design, creativity and innovation education provider with 30,000 students from 150 countries and campuses in 8 countries.

Business & Market Development Dept Mr. Rob Cayzer, Director Brief Company Profile Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) is a government implementation agency set up as a company to drive the MSC Malaysia vision of an innovation-led, knowledge-rich, and progressive society and nation.

Neapoli Sdn Bhd

2.4.1 1a Stonor, Jalan Conlay off Jalan Stonor Kuala Lumpur 50450, Malaysia Tel: +603-2166 6495 (KL)

+44 2081 8019 30 (London) Email: info@neapoli.com.my Website: www.neapoli.com.my

Chief Executive in Malaysia Dr Stellios Plainiotis, Managing Director

21st Floor, Wisma Sime Darby, Jalan Raja Laut 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603-2691 4122 Fax: +603-2713 5935 Email: azhar.abdul.hamid@simedarby.com Website: www.simedarby.com

Chief Executive in Malaysia Dato’ Azhar Abdul Hamid Acting Group Chief Executive

No.1720, MK II Lorong Perushaaan Utama 1 Kwsn. Perindustrian Bkt.Tengah Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT), Bukit Metajam 14000 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Tel: +604-501 5188 Fax: +604-501 5183 Email: info@sky-resources.com Website: www.sky-resources.com

Chief Executive in Malaysia Mr Tan Hock Kheng, Chief Executive Officer

Spectra Chemicals (M) Sdn Bhd

No.8, Jalan Anggerik Mokara 31/48 Kota Kemuning Industrial Park Phase 1 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +603-5121 2508 Fax: +603-5121 7260 Email: ksneo@spectrachem.com.my Website: www.spectrachem.com.my

Chief Executive in Malaysia Mr Neo Khoon Seng, General Manager

VAMED Healthcare Services Sdn Bhd

Level 18, Menara Park, Megan Avenue II Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +603-2781 2000 Fax: +603-2711 6639 Email: stuart.pack@vamed.com Website: www.vamed.com

Chief Executive in Malaysia Mr Stuart J.V.Pack, Managing Director

Sky Resources Sdn Bhd

EU Events Calendar:

Brief Company Profile A multinational conglomerate operating in 20 countries.

Our portfolio of businesses include plantations, property, industrial, motors, energy & utilities, and healthcare.

Brief Company Profile OEM/FM for Skincare, Personal Care, Herbal, Pharma­ ceutical & Wellness food products

Brief Company Profile Distribution of chemicals for the coatings, ink and allied industry and blending of chemicals into raw material intermediates tailored to customer formula.

Brief Company Profile Design and provision of Management Consultancy in Facility Management, Operation of Services and Hospital Support Services

The Moving Company with over 100 Branches Around Europe

The Malaysian Competition Act, Mr. Chew Phye Keat Date : 3 August 2010 Time : 8:30 am - 10:30 am Venue : Wisma Hamzah-Kwong Hing, Kuala Lumpur Fees: RM 50 (member), RM 100 (non-member) Broadband as an Enabler for Growth - Panel Discussion Date : 10 August 2010 Time : 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Venue : One World Hotel, PJ Fees: RM 100 (member), RM 150 (non-member)

John Preston 03 9171 4673 59 Persiaran Mewah, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, KL

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July

33

New Members

Sime Darby Holdings Berhad

Brief Company Profile Energy and Environmental Consultants for the Built Environment. Building Design that is socially, environmentally and financially responsible throughout the life-cycle. Environmental certification under Green Building Index, BREEAM and LEED

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