27/01/2026

BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | JAN 27, 2026

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MTTSL sails for Bursa after receiving SC listing approval

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is leading more than 120 Malaysian food and beverage (F&B) companies to Gulfood 2026 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual F&B trade exhibition, is taking place from today until Jan 30 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Exhibition Centre. Matrade CEO Abu Bakar Yusof said Malaysia’s participation in the 22nd edition of Gulfood 2026 marks a strategic milestone in strengthening the nation’s trade relations with the Middle East, in line with the agency’s market diver sification initiatives. “Beyond showcasing products, the mission aims to demonstrate Malaysia’s capability as a ‘total solution provider’ in the global F&B supply chain. “By merging gold-standard halal integrity with cutting-edge food tech nology and a focus on sustainability, Malaysian brands are ensuring they remain the preferred choice for sourcing partners who value quality, innovation, and reliability,” he said in a statement. Matrade leads over 120 M’sian F&B firms to Gulfood 2026 The Malaysia Pavilion will showcase a new phase of F&B offerings focused on health-conscious innovation and premium convenience. “This year’s participation highlights a strategic pivot from commodity exports to high-value downstream, processed food solutions,” said Matrade. Over 70 Malaysian companies are participating, focusing on sauces and pastes, while nearly 50 companies specialise in ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, highlighting the growing demand for convenient food options in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. “These products utilise advanced retort and freezing technologies to deliver authentic, de-skilled culinary experiences that bring the complex flavours of Asia to Middle Eastern homes in minutes,” said Matrade. In response to the GCC’s national health agendas, the Malaysia Pavilion will feature a significant“Better-for-You”(BFY) segment. “More than 40 exhibitors will show case organic, non-genetically modified organisms, gluten-free and plant-based products. “From functional beverages and herbal-infused health drinks to low glycemic snacks, Malaysia is redefining halal as a standard that encompasses not only religious compliance but also holistic wellness and food safety,” said Matrade. The agency noted that Malaysia’s processed food trade with the Middle East and North Africa region continued its upward trend in 2025, reaching a record high of RM2.52 billion, up by 4.2%. “Exports in the same year stood at RM2.42 billion while imports registered at RM0.1 billion. “With the UAE serving as a strategic gateway, Matrade expects Gulfood 2026 to generate significant export sales and forge long-term strategic partnerships between Malaysian small and medium enterprises and global distributors,” it said. – Bernama

Miti) and foreign institutional and selected investors outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, with another 12.5 million shares being earmarked for directors of MTTSL, employees of the group and persons who have contributed to the success of the group, who are eligible to participate in the

“A more resilient Chinese yuan continues to anchor stability in the ringgit while the Fed, in the midst of its easing cycle, should continue to provide a constructive backdrop,”she added. OCBC Group Research has main tained its conservative 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast of 3.8% compared to 4.8% in 2025. “Our GDP growth profile suggests that the weakness in growth will be gradual to 3.9% in 1H26 and 3.8% in 2H26. That said, the AI- and data-centre boom has turbo-charged growth in 2025, and if that sustains this year, there may be upside risk to growth,”Ling said. – Bernama and business events. Up to November 2025, Penang hosted more than 2,900 business events, generating an estimated economic impact of RM1.3 billion, with final figures for December still being consolidated, said PCEB. According to PCEB, initiatives such as the Penang Roadshow to India play a critical role in advancing the VM2026 agenda by strengthening market confidence, deepening part nerships and keeping Penang top-of mind among global travel and events decision-makers. – Bernama endeavours, we intend to expand our service network in Southeast Asia, Indian subcontinent and China through the acquisition of additional container vessels with various capabilities to capitalise on the growth in cargo volumes driven by supply chain realignment and production relocation. “We are also focusing on the development of our integrated freight facilities to spur our domestic sector growth within East Malaysia by addressing infrastructure gaps, as well as building logistics capacity, to support the growth between West to East Malaysia and the growth of the region. We are deeply committed to bringing MTTSL to new heights and delivering value to all of our stakeholders.” CIMB Investment Bank Bhd is the principal adviser, joint global coordinator, joint bookrunner, managing underwriter and joint underwriter for the IPO. CLSA Ltd and CLSA Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd are the joint global co ordinators and joint bookrunners, while Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd is the joint bookrunner and joint underwriter.

o IPO comprises institutional and retail offering of 633.5 million new ordinary shares

PETALING JAYA: MTT Shipping and Logistics Bhd (MTTSL) has obtained approval from the Securities Commission Malaysia for its proposed listing on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities. The group is a maritime logistics provider primarily involved in container liner shipping services, vessel chartering as well as container storage and other container-related services. It is a domestic container liner shipping operator based on its market share of cabotage volume from Peninsular Malaysia to East Malaysia and Brunei in 2024 and the six months ended June 30, 2025, and has an established and growing regional footprint across Southeast Asia and the Far East India subcontinent. Furthermore, MTTSL owns the largest fleet of Malaysia-flagged containerships with an average age of 6.7 years, the youngest fleet among Malaysian operators, as at Its chief economist and head, Selena Ling ( pic ), stated that these factors could help enhance foreign investor confidence and improve prospects for inflows. More fundamentally, she said, structural reforms will push growth to 4.0-4.5% in 2027-28, namely through continued progress from economic master plans. “This will also be reflected in resilient foreign direct investment flows into Malaysia. Regions such as Johor will continue to benefit from initiatives such as the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone, which remains a stronghold for data centre flows. We expect the govern GEORGE TOWN: is reinforcing its position as a key tourism and business events destination by leading the 9th edition of the Penang Roadshow to India, aimed at strengthening market engagement and supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026 agenda. Led by the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), the roadshow began on Jan 19 and ends tomorrow, covering four major Indian cities – Mumbai, New Delhi, Kochi and Chennai. PCEB said in a statement that the Penang

Sept 1, 2025. In conjunction with its proposed listing, MTTSL’s initial public offering (IPO) will consist of an institutional and retail

retail offering. The re maining 50 million shares

offering totalling 633.5 million new ordinary shares. There will be no offer for sale of existing ordinary shares under the proposed IPO and all funds raised under the IPO will accrue totally to the group.

Subject to the clawback and reallocation provisions and the over-allotment options as set out in the draft prospectus exposure, 312.5 million shares will be reserved for Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti), 258.5 million shares will be allocated to Malaysian institutional and selected investors (other than Bumiputera investors approved by

will be offered to the Malaysian public via balloting. MTTSL managing director Ooi Lean Hin said, “Following this approval, we are truly excited to set sail on our maiden voyage as we delve into the next phase of our corporate journey. The proposed IPO is expected to serve as a key enabler for the long-term growth of MTTSL. As part of our strategic to manoeuvre. Hence, OCBC Group Research remains comfortable with its call for a 25 basis points rate cut from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in the first half of 2026; “the risk to our call is that economic growth remains resilient, reducing the need for the central bank to lower its policy rate this year,” she stated. On the ringgit, she said the outperformance of the local currency versus the US dollar seen in 2025 is likely to spill over to 2026, though the magnitude of gains may be milder. The ringgit’s continued outperformance in recent sessions was due to a conducive external environment brought about by the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) easing cycle, a more benign greenback environment, relatively steady Chinese yuan and risk-on sentiment owing to renewed optimism on artificial intelligence (AI), she added. Moreover, Ling said policymakers’ that has propelled India from outside the top 10 in 2024 to become one of Penang’s top six international source markets and this underscores India’s strategic importance as Penang intensifies its global outreach efforts ahead of VM2026,“ the statement said. The bureau also noted that the continued visa exemption for Indian nationals until Dec 31, 2026 has further enhanced travel accessibility and strengthened Malaysia and Penang’s competitiveness as preferred destinations for tourism

OCBC: Malaysia’s fundamentals remain encouraging KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s funda mentals “remain encouraging,” supported by quality foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, upbeat growth, a wider trade surplus and a clear commitment to fiscal consolidation, said OCBC Group Research. constructive messaging, including earlier comments that USD/MYR could trade “just below 4” by mid-2026, has also contributed to the more positive sentiment. This has already played out, she noted, and that external conditions remain supportive.

ment will remain steadfast in its adoption of fiscal consolidation,” she said in a statement. Ling also expects fiscal policy support to remain targeted in 2026, leaving monetary policy some room

Penang holds roadshow in India to boost tourism, business events

programme is expected to engage more than 800 qualified buyers and over 100 media representatives across the leisure, corporate, incentive and meetings sectors, providing a direct platform for destination promotion and business matching. “India remains one of Penang’s most important and resilient source markets, with strong demand across leisure travel, business events and incentive travel. “As of November 2025, Penang had received over 42,367 visitors from India, marking a significant rise