29/07/2025

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SCAN ME

TUESDAY | JULY 29, 2025

Proton sets up subsidiary to accelerate overseas push o New international arm aims for tenfold export sales growth over next five years

Local retailers extend net buying streak on Bursa into third week: MBSB IB KUALA LUMPUR: MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB IB) said local retailers extended their net buying streak for a third con secutive week, with a net inflow of RM105.4 million for the trading period ended July 25. Meanwhile, foreign investors continued their net selling for a third straight week, posting a smaller net outflow of RM89.9 million compared with RM206.1 million in the previous week. Foreign funds were net sellers on all trading days except Wednesday and Thursday, with daily outflows ranging between RM21 million and RM136.5 million. “The largest outflow was recorded on Friday, followed by Monday with RM52.3 million and Tuesday with RM21 million. Wednesday and Thursday saw net inflows of RM97.3 million and RM22.6 million, res pectively,” MBSB IB said in its weekly Fund Flow Report. The top three sectors that recorded the highest net foreign inflows were transport and logistics (RM158.7 million), utilities (RM69.5 million) and construction (RM51.4 million). Conversely, the financial services sector saw the largest net foreign outflow (RM174.1 million), followed by technology (RM80.8 million) and telecommunications and media (RM70.8 million). MBSB IB also reported that local insti tutions extended their net selling streak to two weeks, with a net outflow of RM15.5 million, compared with RM33.3 million in the prior week. The investment bank added that the average daily trading volume fell across the board last week, with declines of 5.5% for foreign investors, 2.1% for local retailers, and 0.8% for local institutions. – Bernama BNM revises 2025 GDP growth forecast to 4.0-4.8% KUALA LUMPUR; Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has revised Malaysia’s 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection to between 4.0% and 4.8% from 4.5% to 5.5% previously. The projection takes into account various tariff scenarios, ranging from continued elevation of tariffs to more favourable trade negotiation outcomes. In a statement yesterday, the central bank said the forecast remains subject to uncer tainties surrounding the global economy, both on the downside and the upside. “Favourable trade negotiation outcomes, pro-growth policies in major economies, continued demand for electrical and elec tronic goods, and robust tourism activity could raise Malaysia’s export and growth prospects,” it said. Meanwhile, BNM governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said the Malaysian economy remains resilient despite global uncertainties, supported by the outcome of structural reforms undertaken over the years. “The sustained strength in economic activity and moderate inflation provides a supportive environment to pursue structural reforms for a more resilient and competitive Malaysia in the future,” he said. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd has established Proton International Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB), a wholly owned subsidiary formed to spearhead its overseas expansion efforts, with the objective to provide more flexibility when dealing with international markets. The CEO of the new company is Edmund Lim Meng Thong (pic ), formerly the director of Proton’s International Sales Division. With export sales identified as a key driver of future sales growth, PICSB is tasked with enlarging Proton’s global footprint, aiming to expand to the Global South while also continuing to oversee and develop sales and marketing efforts in existing overseas markets. Proton models lead vehicle export volumes in Malaysia and the company’s planning calls for a tenfold increase in export volumes over the next five years. The attendees for the first board meeting of the international arm on July 14 included Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong, Proton Covering deputy CEO Ainol Azmil and chief financial officer Chen Limin. After starting exports to Bangladesh in 1986, just a year after its first car was produced, Proton quickly expanded its international reach, notably becoming the fastest-growing new car franchise in the UK by 1992, with annual sales reaching 15,000 units. By the early 2000s, Proton models were present in 64 countries globally, with the company then strategically shifting its focus to high-growth regional markets such as Asean, China, India, the Middle East and North Africa. In 2025, Proton remains committed to expanding its global presence by introducing new models and technologies to international markets. As of this year, the company has exported 20,169 vehicles to 19 countries since 2020 making it the leading exporter of vehicles from Malaysia. Proton’s top three exported models since 2020 are the Proton Saga with 10,998 units, the Proton X50 with 3,986 units and the Proton X70 with 3,316 units. However, the Proton e.MAS 7 has quickly gained favour, rising to third place in export sales this year. Since its export began to Nepal and Trinidad and

registration of Proton International marks a pivotal moment, sharpening our focus and increasing our agility to drive global expansion. We are setting ambitious targets for the next few years and to achieve this, we are actively hiring more talent for our regional sales and marketing teams.

Tobago, a total of 233 units have been delivered. Since its launch in December 2024, the model has maintained strong sales with 916 units sold in May for domestic and international markets, bringing its total year-to-date sales to 3,632 units. Beyond individual sales numbers, the international sales team has been busy since the beginning of 2025. February saw the launch of the locally assembled Proton Saga in Egypt with local distributor Ezz Elarab Group while the Proton e.MAS 7 made its international debut in Nepal the following month followed by its introduction in Trinidad & Tobago in June. Singapore will be next on the

“We are also excited about the progress made at the Automotive High Tech Valley, which will boost our production capability to meet growing international demand.”

list following a special sneak preview of the new C segment SUV at The Car Expo 2025 in May, which will mark the re entry of Proton into the island nation after an absence of over a decade. Proton International Corp aims for 6,000-unit sales in 2025 and targets to double the figure in 2026. Operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Proton, the international arm aims an export sale of 6,000 units this year, with a target to double that figure next year and exceed 10 times that volume by 2030. Currently, Proton exports to 19 countries, namely Brunei, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore, Bermuda, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Iraq, Ghana, Angora, Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe. Lim said, “The official

Miti mulls incentives for KRC investors using local ports KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is considering incentives for investors that maximise the use of local ports, particularly in Penang and Kuala Perlis. taking to promote the use of domestic ports, either for the import of machinery and con struction materials during factory develop ment, or for the export of goods once opera tions commence. “This is in line with the government’s strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of local ports, while ensuring that the economic benefits are fully enjoyed by industry players and local communities.”

Liew said Malaysia remains committed to strengthening strategic cooperation with Thailand through existing platforms such as the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Trade Com mittee. “Both sides have agreed to enhance trade facilitation, including improvements to infrastructure, logistics systems, and pro cedures at border checkpoints. These efforts are expected to expedite customs clearance processes and reduce the time and cost of cross-border shipments,” he said. – Bernama

KRC, located in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, is one of the flagship projects under the Northern Corridor Economic Region. It focuses on the rubber-based industry and is expected to drive economic growth in the northern region. In reply to the original question on potential cooperation with Thailand to facilitate investor access to Songkhla Port via the Durian Burung checkpoint, Liew said the government’s current priority is to optimise the use of domestic ports, particularly those in Penang and Kuala Perlis.

Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong said the initiative aims to encourage greater use of domestic ports, especially among investors operating around Kedah Rubber City (KRC). “Miti is prepared to evaluate and propose to the Ministry of Finance the introduction of incentives or other measures to enhance the utilisation of local ports,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He was responding to a supplementary question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap), who asked what steps the ministry was