PETALING JAYA: The latest AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey conducted among German companies in Malaysia reveals an optimistic forecast for 2025, with positive sentiment about both current conditions and prospects.

The survey highlights key insights reflecting the resilience and growth expectations of German businesses operating in Malaysia.

When asked to assess the current performance of their company, 92% of German businesses in Malaysia report conditions as “good or satisfactory”, which marks a significant increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.

Strong economic development and confidence among German businesses in Malaysia are expected to continue into next year, with 97% of respondents describing the outlook for 2025 as “favourable or stable”.

While Malaysia has always been recognised for its strong economic foundation, this year’s survey results demonstrate a significant boost in confidence, surpassing expectations from last year’s outlook and highlighting the continued resilience of Malaysia’s economy.

Reflecting this confidence, more than 63% of companies expect positive business development over the next 12 months, while 35% anticipate the current stability will be maintained. Only 1.8% predict a decline in performance, showcasing a predominantly positive outlook for the year ahead.

Additionally, four in 10 companies intend to increase investments in the coming year, suggesting a commitment to further growth within the business community.

Employment plans also appear to be promising, with almost half of the German companies in Malaysia indicating plans to ramp up hiring. An equal percentage (47%) intend to retain their current workforce, emphasising a dual approach to growth and stability in human resources.

While the survey paints a generally encouraging outlook for businesses in Malaysia, respondents identified several challenges that could potentially impact their economic development in the coming years.

Survey participants view demand, economic policy conditions, and lack of skilled workers as potential challenges. These insights underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and strategic planning as companies navigate both opportunities and uncertainties in a highly competitive and volatile global market.

Overall, the findings of the survey illustrate a strong confidence among companies in Malaysia, highlighting a positive trajectory for business development and economic growth in the coming year.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) executive director Jan Noether said, “The results of the AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey align perfectly with our expectations for the future of German business in Malaysia. The strong sentiment and optimism reflected in the survey highlight the positive situation we are experiencing here and underscore our confidence in Malaysia’s economic stability and growth prospects. German companies are comfortable and committed to the Malaysian market, with a clear outlook for continued success and expansion in the year ahead. Moreover, Malaysia’s stable economic environment and supportive policies play a key role in stimulating further investment, reinforcing our belief in the country as a reliable and attractive hub for business growth.”

In Malaysia, the survey was conducted between Sept 23 and Oct 16, with 111 respondents from MGCC member companies, comprising mostly German companies with branches or subsidiaries in Malaysia, primarily from the manufacturing, trade, and services sectors.

The survey is part of the broader AHK World Business Outlook, a biannual global research initiative conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It surveys member companies from the network of German chambers of commerce abroad (AHK), which represent more than 40,000 companies in 93 countries.

GOODYEAR is proud to be the official tyre sponsor of the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2024, happening from 8 – 10 November 2024 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. Known as the world’s premier customised car show, this event promises to showcase the latest in automotive technology, design, and more, drawing car enthusiasts from across the region.

Event Details

Date: 8 – 10 November 2024

Time: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Venue: MITEC, Kuala Lumpur

At the Goodyear booth, attendees can explore the latest in high-performance tyre technology and see how Goodyear is driving innovation in tyre performance and quality. This event offers automotive fans the perfect chance to engage with Goodyear and witness the exceptional standards that Goodyear tyres bring to every journey.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow car enthusiasts!

SAIC MOTOR MALAYSIA is wrapping up the year with a remarkable promotion for the MG4 EV and MG ZS EV, offering exclusive deals to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership more accessible. In honour of MG’s 100th anniversary, buyers can enjoy up to 20 months of free instalments, offering savings of up to RM26,000, making this an ideal time to join the MG family.

Here’s a breakdown of the promotion:

MG ZS EV: 20 months of free instalments worth RM26,000

MG4 EV Lux: 12 months of free instalments worth RM16,000

MG4 EV Standard: 8 months of free instalments worth RM8,500

This limited-time offer provides substantial savings and financial ease for MG’s new EV owners. Interested buyers can experience the MG4 EV, MG ZS EV, and other models with test drives at their nearest MG Motor Authorised Dealer Showrooms.

For more details, visit mgmalaysia.com or contact the MG Careline at 1800-28-3636.

BENTLEY is accelerating toward its electric future, building on a path that began with the introduction of the Bentayga Hybrid in 2018. With plug-in hybrid versions of the Continental GT and Flying Spur now available, the luxury automaker has officially announced plans for its first fully electric vehicle (EV), set to debut in 2026.

This new EV will be a luxury urban crossover SUV, described by Bentley’s new CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser, as “compact” — a term that is relative in Bentley’s world. Measuring under 5003mm in length, it is expected to be similar in size to the Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q7 and will likely share its platform with the forthcoming Porsche Cayenne EV.

While Bentley has withheld technical details, Walliser emphasised that the upcoming model will prioritise usable range and charging speed to meet the demands of modern luxury car buyers. Addressing concerns about the transition to electric power, he assured, “We don’t want to make just any electric car; we want to make a Bentley.” The brand remains committed to preserving the unique qualities that define a Bentley, even without the traditional engine sound. Bentley board member Matthias Rabe hinted at innovative solutions to replicate the emotional experience of a combustion engine without merely copying conventional engine notes.

Bentley’s electrification strategy, initially called Beyond 100, has been rebranded as Beyond 100 Plus, reflecting an adjusted timeline for full carbon neutrality, extended from 2030 to 2035. The shift is driven by both regulatory pressures and growing customer interest, though Walliser acknowledged that the transition will vary across different markets.

This announcement underscores Bentley’s ambition to balance modern sustainability with its storied heritage of opulence and performance. As the brand embraces its electric transformation, it aims to redefine luxury mobility for the next generation.

THE Malaysian government has set an ambitious target for electric vehicles (EVs) to account for 20% of annual new vehicle sales by 2030, encompassing both passenger and commercial categories. As of September 2024, EV sales have reached 5.11% of the total annual volume, a notable increase from 4.12% recorded for the entirety of 2023.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) reported that the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has grown significantly in recent years. Total BEV sales stood at 15,876 units in 2024 and 13,513 units in 2023, a sharp rise compared to 3,146 units sold in 2020.

Efforts to Build a Strong EV Ecosystem

MITI credited the improved numbers to the collaborative efforts between government ministries, agencies, and industry players. Before 2018, the EV market in Malaysia was minimal, with limited adoption and infrastructure.

To support the sector’s growth, the government has rolled out a series of initiatives, including:

- Tax exemptions for imported completely built-up (CBU) EVs until the end of 2025.

- Full exemptions on import duty, excise, and sales tax for locally assembled EVs until December 2027.

- A commitment to establish 10,000 EV charging stations nationwide by 2025.

- Full tax relief for BEVs from 2022 to 2025.

Engaging Stakeholders for Infrastructure Expansion

To accelerate EV infrastructure development, MITI has engaged with various stakeholders, including:

- Highway concessionaires

- Hypermarket chains

- The Shopping Complex Management Association

- The Hotel Association and Hotel Owners Association of Malaysia

These sessions aim to encourage the deployment of public EV charging services at key locations such as highways, shopping malls, and hotels to meet the growing needs of EV users.

Five-Year Strategy for EV Growth

In response to a question from Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, MITI outlined its strategy for EV adoption over the next five years. This includes:

- Strengthening the EV industry ecosystem through public and private sector collaboration.

- Increasing public awareness and accessibility to EVs.

- Expanding EV charging infrastructure to meet the 2025 target of 10,000 public charging points.

MITI expressed optimism about meeting its targets, citing the combined efforts of government initiatives and industry commitment. “With continuous efforts at various levels and support from industry players, the number of public EV charging stations will increase significantly and help achieve the desired goals by 2025,” the ministry stated.

Looking Ahead

As Malaysia pushes toward its 20% EV sales target by 2030, the government’s efforts to incentivize EV adoption and develop the necessary infrastructure are expected to drive significant progress. With rising sales and increasing public acceptance, the country is steadily building a robust foundation for its EV future.

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Lower profits in its sugar and renewables business weighed down the performance of Gokongwei-led food and beverage firm Universal Robina Corp. in the nine months ending September.

Earnings of Philippine banks rose by 6.4 percent to P290 billion from January to September compared to last year’s P273 billion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Philippine Airlines posted a Q3 net income of P789 million, down 82% y/y from its Q3/23 net income of P4,278 million, and down 70% q/q from its Q2/24 net income of P2,590 million.

Asia-Pacific will require 19,500 new aircraft by 2043, Airbus announced on Wednesday, November 13 at a regional aviation summit.

Philippine troops will join Australia's largest military exercise for the first time next year, while the Australian Defense Force will make their debut in Philippine-led war games, both countries' defense chiefs announced Wednesday, November 13.

The state weather bureau has placed several areas under Signal No. 2 as Typhoon Ofel makes its way to Northern Luzon.

Folder2ISO lets you effortlessly create an ISO image from any folder on your computer. Folder2ISO is lightweight and requires no setup, making it versatile for quick ISO image creation. For convenience, it can be integrated into the Windows context menu, allowing you to access it by right-clicking on any folder in Windows Explorer. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8|7|Vista|XP | Size: 308 KB ]

Intel Arc Graphics Driver for Windows is a driver specifically for Windows 10 and 11 with support for the 12th Gen Intel Core processor family and Intel Arc A-Series Graphics.... [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10 | Size: 1 GB ]

Cemu - Wii U Emulator is a highly experimental freeware to emulate Wii U applications on your computer. It isn't an alpha or even a beta, but experimental. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: 25-59 MB ]

Psiphon is a censorship circumvention tool designed to give access to the internet where censors and firewalls block it. Psiphon is portable and when run, automatically connects to the fastest country near you by default. A drop-down is right there where you can choose from one of nine countries or easily disconnect. [License: Open Source | Requires: 11|10|8|7|Android|macOS | Size: 8 MB ]

Steam Inventory Helper is meant to help improve your Steam market and inventory experience. The Steam Inventory Helper extension is designed to rectify some of the flaws present in the Steam web UI allowing you to focus on buying and selling items. Using it will additionally help find the lowest prices for games. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8|7|Linux|macOS | Size: Size Varies ]

UnHackMe allows you to detect and remove a new generation of Trojan programs - invisible Trojans and will be a very useful security utility for your operating system. [License: Shareware $39.90+ | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: 44 MB ]

NTLite is an all-in-one Windows customization tool that offers a robust set of options for modifying and removing unnecessary components from the standard distribution of Windows. NTLite will also allow you to create a bootable ISO from any image as long as the normal image folder structure is present (Boot and Sources folders). [License: Freemium | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: 21 MB ]

Dell OS Recovery Tool is a freeware app that can be used to create a USB recovery drive to reinstall the Windows or Linux that came with your PC. Dell OS Recovery Tool is easy enough for anyone to use following the simple four steps in order. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8 | Size: 25 MB ]

WIA-Loader is designed to help photographers quickly transfer images from their digital camera or flash card right to the computer and more for free. It includes many features to further aid in this process. WIA-Loader also allows you to name the images and folders as well as editing the images. [License: Freemium | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: 185-274 MB ]

Comodo Dragon is a Chromium technology-based Browser that offers you all of Chrome's features. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: Size Varies ]

Avast Clear (Avast Software Uninstall Utility) can completely remove Avast when the Add/Remove programs option does not work properly. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: 13 MB ]

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