26/07/2025

BIZ & FINANCE SATURDAY | JULY 26, 2025

15

TOP SHOTS

DIGITAL CONNECTION ... Maxis has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aduna, a landmark venture between some of the world’s leading telecom operators and Ericsson, to drive the adoption of standardised network application programming interfaces that will accelerate digital innovation for businesses. At the MoU exchange ceremony are, from left, Maxis head of enterprise marketing and digital LiLian Hor, GMSA head of Asia-Pacific Julian Gorman and Ericsson Malaysia vice president of sales, key account, Chee Kean Cha during the GSMA Digital Nation Summit Singapore.

PROJECT UPDATE ... Encorp Bhd on Tuesday presented a comprehensive progress update on the development of Balau Residences, a landmark mixed-use project in Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan, to Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah (centre). The project is a joint venture between Encorp Construction and Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Encorp, and Touch Millennium Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Touch Group Holdings Sdn Bhd. Together, they have established a joint venture entity known as Encorp Millennium Sdn Bhd.

INNOVATIVE TRANSACTION ... HSBC Amanah Malaysia Bhd and Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia have executed a sustainable sale and buy back agreement transaction for RHB Islamic Bank Bhd under an enhanced syariah-compliant framework. The deal, which is a first in the country, represents a significant achievement in Islamic sustainable finance innovation. From left: HSBC Amanah Malaysia CEO Raja Amir Shah Raja Azwa, Bank Negara Malaysia deputy governor Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid, RHB Islamic Bank managing director/CEO Datuk Adissadikin Ali, Bank Negara Malaysia assistant governor Mohamad Ali Iqbal Abdul Khalid and Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia CEO Bilal Parvaiz at the signing ceremony.

ESG FOR SME S ... Affin Group, in collaboration with Chemsain Sustainability Sdn Bhd, has unveiled the Greenhouse Gases Implementer Programme during Affin SME BizChat 2025, a flagship event aimed at empowering SMEs through the integration of ESG principles. The event was sponsored by Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd and Generali Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd. Affin Islamic Bank CEO Datuk Paduka Syed Mashafuddin Syed Badarudin (second from right) at the launch of the programme during Affin SME BizChat 2025.

INVESTMENT INSIGHTS ... Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd colaborated with Bursa Malaysia Bhd to host Rakuten Trade and Bursa Malaysia Retail Corporate Day 2025 on July 19 at the Kiara Bay Sales Gallery, drawing almost 200 investors for a day of learning, networking, and financial empowerment. The event provided attendees with deeper insights into equity trading, research tools and the latest market trends. From left: VSTECS Bhd chief executive JH Soong, Inta Bina Group Bhd managing director Paul Lim, Rakuten Trade CEO Kazumasa Mise, Bursa Malaysia head of investor strategy and development Stephanie Tan, UEM Sunrise Bhd CFO Hafizuddin Sulaiman, Aeon Credit Services (M) Bhd CFO Lee Siew Tee, UEM Sunrise chief business officer Azmy Mahbot and Kenanga Investment Bank head of group equity marketing Isabelle Zhen.

SUSTAINABILITY LEADER ... Energy infrastructure services group Wasco Bhd is taking steps to help its SME vendors prepare for the shift to mandatory ESG disclosures under the National Sustainability Reporting Framework. The group will host its inaugural Sustainability Day on July 29 in Kuala Lumpur. On July 17, Wasco was named Company of the Year (Energy Solutions) for Sustainability Leadership at the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards 2025. Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad (second from left) presented the award to Wasco director and chairman of the board sustainability committee Lily Rozita Mohamad Khairi (second from right), who represented the company.