16/01/2026

BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2026

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DagangHalal to ‘push forward steadily’ in 2026

BMW Group launches its first locally assembled EV KUALA LUMPUR: BMW Group Malaysia has begun sales of its first locally assembled fully electric vehicle (EV), the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro (BMW i5), marking a major milestone in the company’s electrification journey as it targets continued growth in the premium segment. Managing director of BMW Group Malaysia Benjamin Nagel said the local assembly of the BMW i5 reflects the group’s long-term commitment to Malaysia and the development of the country’s electric vehicle ecosystem. “The local assembly of the all-new BMW i5 signifies how far we have come, from introducing electric mobility to now building it right here on Malaysian soil,” he said at the launching ceremony of BMW’s new models here yesterday. Alongside the i5 model, BMW also unveiled a new EV in its X series, the BMW iX1 eDrive20L M Sport (BMW iX1), which is expected to launch later. Nagel said the BMW i5, unveiled yesterday, is available for sale immediately, while another electric model, the BMW iX1, is expected to be available later in the first quarter of this year. The new BMW i5 will be priced at RM368,800, while the iX1 is estimated at RM255,000. Nagel said BMW Group Malaysia aims to build on its 2025 performance of 10,800 vehicle deliveries, although no specific sales target has been set for this year. “We are not giving exact numbers, of course. It always depends on the market development, but we believe we will continue to shape the premium segment and further grow and extend our leadership in the market,” he added. Nagel said that BMW Group Malaysia’s assembly plant in Kulim, Kedah, plays a strategic role in supporting the regional market, with the brand having exported more than 11,800 vehicles to date to the Philippines and Thailand, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a strategic production hub for the group in Asean and the Asia Pacific. Meanwhile, in conjunction with the Year of the Horse, BMW Group Malaysia also introduced a limited-edition MINI Countryman S Fiery Stallion Edition. The Chinese culture symbolism inspired the new limited edition model with the ‘Fire Horse’ silhouette design across the doors and a custom grille emblem with a stallion icon badge. The locally assembled limited-run model is produced in a run of only 18 units and is now available at RM260,888. – Bernama

authorities to support certification readiness, quality standards, and export facilitation, particularly for SMEs facing increasingly complex compliance requirements in overseas markets. Looking ahead, DagangHalal plans to place greater emphasis on scaling its digital compliance ecosystem, expanding market presence across Asean, the Middle East, and East Asia, and progressively enhancing AI-enabled traceability and governance features within HIAS. The company is also continuing development work on complementary systems to support smart manufacturing and warehouse operations in line with Industry 4.0 trends. The company said: “As Halal governance becomes more data-centric, we are working to support this shift through technology and cross-border trade facilitation. “With the foundation largely in place, our focus in 2026 is to push forward steadily and see how much progress we can achieve under prevailing market conditions.” With Malaysia’s halal exports reaching RM61.8 billion in 2024 and national targets expected to rise further by 2030, DagangHalal believes the coming period presents opportunities, provided execution remains disciplined and market conditions are supportive.

o This follows a year focused on platform progress and digital compliance developments

KUALA LUMPUR: DagangHalal.com, a halal-verified B2B e-marketplace, is positioning itself for 2026 following a year focused on platform consolidation, operational improvements and the continued development of its digital halal compliance capabilities. The company views 2026 as a year where earlier groundwork can be built upon, as the global halal industry continues to expand and regulatory expectations increasingly emphasise transparency, traceability, and data-driven compliance. Industry estimates indicate that the global halal food market, currently valued at over US$ 2.7 trillion (RM11 trillion), is expected to grow significantly over the coming decade, supported by export demand and rising standards across international supply chains. In a statement, the company said “2025 was largely about putting the fundamentals in place”. “We spent the year strengthening our core platform, refining our digital compliance tools, and preparing ourselves operationally for the next stage.

“As we move into 2026, we intend to step up execution and market engagement, while remaining mindful of external conditions and operational discipline.” Throughout 2025, DagangHalal concentrated on strengthening its ecosystem and converting long-term development work into commercial readiness. A key milestone during the year was the commercial rollout of the Halal Internal Assurance System (HIAS), which is designed to help businesses digitalise Halal compliance, enhance traceability, and reduce reliance on manual audit processes. In parallel, the Company continued to expand its international visibility through participation in major trade exhibitions such as MIHAS, Gulfood, THAIFEX, SIAL Paris and Anuga. These engagements supported ongoing efforts to broaden the buyer and supplier network, while reinforcing Malaysia’s reputation as a trusted halal sourcing base. DagangHalal also deepened engagement with industry stakeholders and relevant

Cagamas unveils inaugural issuance calendar to enhance transparency KUALA LUMPUR: Cagamas Bhd, the National Mortgage Corpo ration of Malaysia, yesterday announced the publication of its first-ever scheduled issuance calendar, a landmark initiative aimed at providing investors with greater visibility and certainty for the company’s fundraising activities. effective liquidity and invest ment planning amongst current and prospective instrument holders.” Cagamas emphasises that the calendar serves as indicative only and the company may elect to forego any scheduled issuance(s) depending on prevailing market conditions. In addition, Cagamas may billion equivalent raised via foreign currency issuances, broadening access to diverse liquidity sources and reinforcing Cagamas’ position in regional capital markets. “Our achievement of RM31.3 billion total funds raised in 2025 is evidence of our pivotal position within the nation’s financial ecosystem and reflects our commitment to being Malaysia’s preferred liquidity provider and investment of choice.

“As global uncertainties persist, Cagamas will continue to innovate and lead in shaping the development of Malaysia’s debt capital markets, driving resilience and creating opportunities that benefit all stakeholders,” said Kameel. In line with its sustainability agenda, Cagamas raised RM1.8 billion in sustainability related instruments, including its inaugural RM200 million Asean Social Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk Variable Rate Notes (VRNs). This landmark issuance represents a significant milestone in Malaysia’s sustainable finance landscape and demonstrates Cagamas’ commitment to integrating responsible investment principles with innovative Islamic finance solutions.

The 2026 Issuance Calendar, now available on the company’s website, sets out an indicative schedule of planned benchmark issuances throughout the year.

continue to make unscheduled fundraising announcements for its ongoing fundraising activities,

as necessary. This initiative follows a record-breaking year in 2025, during which Cagamas raised a total of RM31.3 billion through bonds, sukuk, financing facilities and other financial instruments, despite global headwinds marked by financial market volatility, geopolitical tensions and monetary policy shifts. The achievement comprises RM10.2 billion from bonds, RM17.6 billion from sukuk and RM3.5 billion from other alternative avenues. International markets continued to be a viable funding option for the company with RM4.5

This proactive measure underscores Cagamas’ commitment to transparency and strengthening investor confidence. This publication is intended for market participants to better align their strategies with Cagamas’ upcoming fundraising activities. Cagamas president/CEO Kameel Abdul Halim ( pic ) said: “The introduction of the issuance calendar marks a significant step towards enhancing market efficiency and strengthening transparency. By sharing an indicative schedule, we aim to drive more

Kerjaya Prospek secures maiden contract win this year KUALA LUMPUR: Construction outfit Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd’s lifting our total outstanding order book to RM4.4 billion.

and resilient demand for residential developments. “Looking ahead, we will continue to diversify our project mix beyond residential construction into higher-growth segments such as data centres and industrial developments. “We are confident that Kerjaya is well positioned to capture these opportunities, underpinned by our strong balance sheet, extensive construction expertise and long-standing partnerships with reputable developers,” said Tee.

be completed within 40 months. It added that this contract was undertaken on an arm’s length basis and based on normal commercial terms. GCSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad, in which certain directors and major shareholders of Kerjaya have direct or indirect interests. Kerjaya CEO and executive director Tee Eng Tiong said: “This first construction contract win for 2026 underscores our steady momentum heading into the new financial year,

“With a targeted RM2 billion in order book replenishment for FYE2026, we remain focused on strengthening our portfolio with projects that capitalise on our proven construction capabilities.” As 2026 marks the first year of the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), he said the firm remains optimistic about the outlook for the construction sector. “The industry continues to be supported by ongoing urbanisation, sustained infrastructure investments

wholly-owned subsidiary, Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd (KPM) has been awarded a RM201.3 million contract by Greencove Sdn Bhd (GCSB). In a statement, it said, the contract entails the construction of two blocks of 39-storey residential apartments in Damansara Damai, Selangor, alongside podium parking facilities and commercial spaces, amongst others. Construction is scheduled to commence on April 1 and expected to