06/06/2025

FRIDAY | JUNE 6, 2025

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BIZ & FINANCE

Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Malaysia seeks strategic ties with China’s Anhui digital payment systems, improving trade and tourism flows.

Port of Tanjung Pelepas on record-breaking streak ISKANDAR PUTERI: Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), a joint venture between Malaysia based MMC Group and Netherlands-based APM Terminals set a new benchmark by handling 1,269,389 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in a single month for May 2025. This achievement followed PTP’s previous monthly records of 1,183,759 TEUs in March and 1,215,751 TEUs in April this year, marking three consecutive monthly records. PTP chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said the latest milestone surpasses the April record by 53,000 TEUs. “By seamlessly managing such substantial cargo volumes, we are consistently delivering exceptional service to our valued customers and partners, while contributing to Malaysia’s economic growth.” “This milestone goes beyond a display of our ability to push limits; it reflects the strong and promising collaboration we have with every single one of our truly valued customers at this leading transshipment hub, including the newly established Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag Lloyd,” PTP CEO Mark Hardiman said. PTP serves as the key Asian hub within the Gemini Cooperation, playing a pivotal role in supporting the success of this global partnership. “At PTP, we are committed to maintaining consistently high productivity, even as volumes grow and demands intensify, such as those from the Gemini Cooperation network. “This stability adds significant value for our customers, and ensuring schedule reliability remains at the heart of our service commitment,” said Hardiman. He said that PTP’s sustainable growth journey is demonstrated through their focused investments in asset upgrades and infrastructure enhancements. “These initiatives are closely aligned with our environmental, social and governance agenda, safety policies and digitalisation strategy. Such efforts have enabled PTP to navigate global challenges effectively while driving continuous improvement and expansion.” PTP also accomplished operational milestones in the past months, hitting 178,679 quayside moves in a single week, 15,041 moves within a 12-hour shift, and 1,442 moves completed in a single hour.

Malaysia and China currently enjoy zero-tariff treatment, not only in traditional agricultural and industrial goods but also in expanding sectors like services and digital trade. Bilateral trade between China and Malaysia hit a record US$212.04 billion (RM897 billion) in 2024, marking an 11.4% year-on-year increase. Tan further noted that a study by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia projects that the RCEP could contribute up to 0.8% to the GDP (gross domestic product) by 2030. He also called for greater cultural, tourism and educational exchanges between Malaysia and Anhui, and proposed the launch of a direct flight route between Kuala Lumpur and Hefei to support tourism and ease business travel. Touching on industrial cooperation, Tan emphasised the need to upgrade the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park under the “Twin Parks 2.0” strategy. “This next phase of development will focus on strengthening cross-border industrial chains in sectors like EVs, bird’s nest processing and photovoltaic components,” he said. He also highlighted the expansion of Kuantan Port to accommodate vessels of up to 180,000 tonnes, a move that will enhance its position as a strategic node in the China-Asean Land-Sea New Corridor. For long-term success, Tan urged companies to localise their workforce, adopt strong environmental, social and governance standards, invest in smart manufacturing and actively engage in cross-party dialogue and policy advocacy to manage political and regulatory risks. “As we mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China, we are tasked with forging the next Golden Fifty Years.” – Bernama

o Proposed areas of collaboration include

On the clean energy front, Tan said Malaysia is positioning itself as a regional EV hub and hopes to work closely with Anhui’s automotive powerhouses such as Chery Group, JAC Motors and NIO. “Proposed areas of collaboration include the development of a nationwide EV charging network through public-private partnerships, the establishment of a right-hand-drive vehicle manufacturing base to serve the Asean region, as well as investment in advanced battery research and development.” Tan, who is also United World Chinese Association’s Asean honourable adviser, said Malaysia is keen to tap into Gotion High-Tech’s expertise in battery labs to build a strong ecosystem for green mobility. As the world’s second-largest producer of palm oil, Tan said Malaysia is looking forward to attracting more Chinese investments in downstream processing and high-end oil product innovation. Malaysia exported RM10.57 billion worth of palm oil and related products to China in 2024, accounting for more than half of its bulk commodity exports to the country. Tan encouraged companies such as COFCO Anhui to collaborate with Malaysian suppliers to upgrade refining capacity and penetrate high-value segments of the Chinese market. “Likewise, Malaysia also looks to leverage Anhui’s agricultural technologies to enhance its tropical fruit processing capabilities, particularly in durians and pineapples, while boosting exports of niche products like bird’s nest and coconut milk to meet rising Chinese demand,” he said. On the RCEP, he said the framework, which came into force in Malaysia in March 2022, has significantly reshaped regional trade flows and reduced barriers. Over 67.9% of goods traded between

EV charging network and advanced battery research HUANGSHAN: Malaysia is seeking to forge strategic partnerships with China’s Anhui Province in the digital economy, green technology and palm oil sectors under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) framework to expand future-oriented regional cooperation. Malaysia’s former special envoy to China Tan Kok Wai said yesterday the RCEP has created a conducive platform for deeper bilateral engagement, particularly in innovation-led industries such as e-commerce, electric vehicles (EVs), clean energy and digital infrastructure. “Malaysia is ready to collaborate with Anhui’s forward-looking enterprises to shape the next chapter of high-quality development,” he said at the 2025 RCEP Local Governments and Friendship Cities Cooperation (Huangshan) Forum held here. Highlighting Malaysia’s efforts to grow its digital economy, Tan said the country welcomes participation from Anhui’s top firms, including Sungrow Power and iFlytek, in projects related to green data centres and smart city development. “Penang and Malacca are currently being developed as pilot smart cities, and Malaysia also aims to position itself as an Asean data hub – a move that could benefit from technological collaboration with Chinese innovators,” he said. He noted that strengthening interoperability between Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go and China’s Alipay would also accelerate cross-border

ACE-bound Oxford Innotech inks underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities KUALA LUMPUR: Integrated engineering solutions provider, Oxford Innotech Bhd (OXB), has entered into an underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd in conjunction with its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. OXB, through its subsidiaries, offers integrated engineering solutions with its specialty in precision engineering components solutions, mechanical assembly solutions, as well as automation and robotic solutions. The IPO exercise encompasses a public issue of 143.5 million new ordinary shares, representing 20.2% of its enlarged issued share capital, as well as an offer for sale of 50 million existing shares, representing 7% of the enlarged share capital. “The signing of the underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities is a significant step towards our upcoming listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities,” OXB managing director Ng Thean Gin said. to cater to the rising demand for precision engineering solutions, especially in the semiconductor and modular building systems sectors. “Leveraging our extensive expertise and tailored engineering capabilities, we are able to deliver high-quality products and services that address the unique needs of our customers, enabling them to remain competitive and agile in a competitive market,” said Ng. Public Mutual declares RM20 million distributions for three funds KUALA LUMPUR: Public Mutual, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Public Bank Bhd, has declared distributions totalling more than RM20 million for three funds for the financial year ended May 31, 2025. 3.75 sen per unit for Public Select Bond Fund, 0.20 sen per unit for Public Dividend Select Fund, and 0.10 sen per unit for the PB ASEAN Dividend Fund. declares distributions on a semi-annual basis. Public Mutual is Malaysia’s largest private unit trust firm, managing about 180 funds and operating 31 branches and customer service centres. In a statement yesterday, the unit trust manager said the total gross distributions are The Public Select Bond Fund and PB ASEAN Dividend Fund follow an annual distribution policy, while the Public Dividend Select Fund It is also an approved Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) provider, managing nine PRS funds. – Bernama

OXB is scheduled to be listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities by the 3rd quarter of 2025. Malacca Securities serves as the principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent, while WYNCORP Advisory Sdn Bhd is the corporate finance adviser for the IPO exercise.

“It marks a key milestone that supports our long-term growth ambitions and enhances our scalability to meet the evolving demands of the industries we serve.” He said the group is expanding both its production capacity and capabilities

Headquartered in Penang, the group operates four manufacturing facilities located in Penang and Kedah. It serves key sectors such as semiconductor, electrical and electronics (E&E), automotive, and modular building systems.

(From left): OXB executive director Oh Yen San, Ng, Malacca Securities corporate finance committee chairman Tan Kok Tiam and corporate finance co-head Law Kim Fatt.