16/10/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | OCT 16, 2025

15

Socat, Archisen, CGS MY to build JS-SEZ agropolis

Meta Bright expands EV charging network

KUALA LUMPUR: Meta Bright Group Bhd, a Main Market-listed diversified energy conglomerate, through its 51%-owned subsidiary Meta Bright ChargeSini Sdn Bhd (MBC), has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with ChargeHere EV Solution Sdn Bhd to acquire a portfolio of operational EV charging assets. Under the agreement, MBC will acquire 17 EV charging sites comprising 54 chargers (44 AC and 10 DC) from ChargeHere for a total consideration of RM2,006,528. These chargers, installed at prime residential and mixed-use developments across the Klang Valley include key metropolitan locations such as North Kiara, Setia Eco Park and Titiwangsa, as well as major high-rise condominiums and retail spaces. The acquisition price was derived based on the Net Book Value (NBV) of the assets, providing Meta Bright with a reasonable and value-accretive entry point into a growing segment of Malaysia’s EV ecosystem. This structure excludes future earnings potential from the assets, thereby offering a prudent, low-risk acquisition that immediately enhances the group’s recurring income base. ChargeHere, operating under the“ChargeSini”brand, is Malaysia’s largest Charging Point Operator, managing over 1,193 charging points across 473 stations with more than 61,000 active users. ICT, e-commerce contribute 23% to GDP in 2024 PUTRAJAYA: The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and e-commerce contributed 23.4% to the Malaysia’s economy, valued at RM451.3 billion in 2024 said chief statistician of Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He added the performance of ICT and e-commerce registered a further growth of 5.1% as against 3.5% recorded in 2023. The ICT performance was driven by the ICT manufacturing industry, which accelerated to 7.4% from 2.4% in the preceding year, said Mohd Uzir, adding that this was followed by the ICT services industry and ICT trade industry with a growth of 3.3% and 4.6% respectively. The ICT Satellite Account (ICTSA) is a statistical framework to measure the performance of ICT industry, as well as e-commerce, and its contribution to GDP. Besides that, ICTSA also provides data on exports and imports of ICT products and employment within the ICT industry. The performance of e-commerce amounted to RM258.2 billion, a growth of 4.7% in 2024 compared to 3% in the preceding year. The growth was supported by manufacturing sector with an increase of 4.8% compared to 0.1% in 2023.

investors, businesses and technology partners, we aim to not only supply the region with nutritious produce but also position Malaysia as a leading exporter of high-quality food to the world, as we strive to strengthen food security in the face of growing demand and escalating climate challenges.” Archisen CEO Vincent Wei said, “Archisen is eager to grow our presence and contribute our experience and expertise to design and deploy effective urban farming solutions in JS-SEZ as part of our mission to establish an urban farm network in Asia. Through the development of a plug-and-play agriculture ecosystem that leverages on shared resources, innovation and market access, we aim to transform the region’s fresh food supply chain – from cultivation, farm management, storage, packaging, to logistics and more. We look forward to working with Socat and CGS MY to unlock the tremendous potential of agri-tech and support the region as it moves up the value chain.” CGS MY group CEO Carol Fong said, “Malaysia and Asean are blessed with abundant natural resources. As the country and region develops, we need to concurrently safeguard these resources while ensuring food security for all. JS-SEZ provides Asean with a strategic platform for Malaysia to collaborate

with its neighbours to realise these goals, and at the same time build thriving economic centres with diverse industries in different regions. CGS International looks forward to working closely with governments, Socat, Archisen and the broader ecosystem to facilitate efficient and effective capital market advisory to support, promote and advance the plans. By leveraging our strong capital market capabilities, regional footprint and global linkages, especially with China, we are well-positioned to connect and bring in the right partners and stakeholders to accelerate the future of agriculture in Asean. Launched earlier this year, JS-SEZ promotes and support investment and movement of goods and people between Malaysia and Singapore for strategic sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, digital industry, healthcare and education and new priority sectors such as aerospace, electrical and electronics, chemical, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. The platform has recorded a total of RM37.1 billion in approved investment within the first quarter of 2025 and is expected to attract a further RM29.1 billion in new investment commitments as announced by the government last Friday during the tabling of Malaysia’s Budget 2026 tabling.

o Partnership to develop Asean’s leading agri hub via sustainable, tech-driven farming

The expansion, the company said will increase the group’s annual cable and wire output by 25% to 65,000 km/year, from 51,980 km/year as at June 30, 2025. Concurrently, it will triple its aluminium rod production to over 60,000 MT/year, from approximately 20,000 MT/year as at June 30, 2025. These expansions will be carried out in stages and are targeted to complete by the end of 2027. Managing director Tung Eng Hai said: “Southern Cable is expanding to meet rising demand for cables and wires, while also playing a role in supporting Malaysia’s development through projects in power utility, renewable energy, construction, infrastructure, and data centres. To achieve our long-term growth aspirations, we are also increasing our overseas revenue, with a target to have it contribute 30% of total revenue within the next three years. The funds raised will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and support our vision of becoming a leading integrated cables and wires manufacturer in the region.” Of the total proceeds to be raised from the proposed exercise, RM129 million will be allocated for capital expenditure and expansion. This will PETALING JAYA: Southern Catalyst Sdn Bhd (Socat), a Ministry of Finance (MoF) Inc company and the master developer of a 2,940-acre site in Sedenak, Johor, and Archisen Sdn Bhd, a Singapore-based agritech company that specialises in designing, building, and operating innovative urban farming solutions, are collaborating with CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CGS MY) via a MoU to establish a 200-acre agropolis in Sedenak, Johor in September. CGS MY, as the financial partner to Socat and Archisen, is supporting the development of high-impact agriculture and agri-food projects aimed at establishing the largest integrated agriculture hub in the Southern Region. Socat and Archisen are jointly advancing initiatives valued at approximately RM500 million, while CGS International – working in collaboration with a network of private equity and debt partners – is preparing to mobilise up to RM1 billion in agriculture related investments and financial solutions across the full value chain, spanning crop production, processing,

logistics, and the creation of a regional inventory hub. Collectively, these efforts under the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) framework represent a potential capital commitment exceeding RM1.5 billion, underscoring private-sector confidence and Malaysia’s leadership in sustainable agri-economic development. The partnership also extends to investment structuring, capital-markets access, investor engagement, ecosystem development, and coordination with government agencies to attract institutional and cross-border capital. The MoUs were inked at the 2nd JS-SEZ Joint Investment Forum, which gathered over 50 participants from global companies seeking to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the JS-SEZ. Socat chief operating officer Mohd Nazree Abu Kassim said, “With Archisen and CGS MY as our partners, we look forward to executing our mandate to transform Ladang Air Manis into a modern and sustainable agriculture and food processing value chain ecosystem. By collaborating with like-minded

Southern Cable plans private placement to fund expansion KUALA KETIL: Cable and wire manufacturer Southern Cable Group Bhd proposed a private placement of up to 10% of its total number of issued shares, to fund the group’s multi-year expansion plans to capture increasing opportunities from local and overseas demand for cables and wires.

Southern Cable’s private placement of up to RM259m will fund its multi-year expansion plan, increasing cable output and aluminium rod capacity to meet rising local and global demand.

fund the construction and renovation of factories and warehouse adjacent to the group’s existing operations in Kuala Ketil, Kedah, acquisition of a warehouse, as well as the purchase of new machinery and equipment. The key investments in the expansion include two production lines—one for medium- to extra high voltage cables and another for medium- to high-voltage cables—in addition to a high-capacity aluminium furnace.

Separately, RM5.1 million will be utilised to settle the balance purchase price of an industrial land previously acquired in July 2025, and related expenses. The remaining proceeds will primarily be allocated for working capital to purchase raw materials such as copper, aluminium, and plastic compounds, supporting the group’s growing cable and wire production capacity. A portion will also be used for repayment of borrowings and to

defray estimated expenses from the proposed exercise. At an indicative issue price of RM2.16 per placement share, the proposed private placement is expected to raise total gross proceeds ranging from RM218 million to RM259 million under the Minimum Scenario and Maximum Scenario, respectively. RHB Investment Bank Bhd has been appointed as the principal adviser and sole placement agent for the proposed private placement.