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Kinza targets SE Asia after Middle East success

Looking ahead, he said they remain encouraged by the long-term fundamentals of the healthcare sector, driven by an ageing population, rising healthcare expenditure and increasing demand for advanced medical solutions. “Supported by our integrated healthcare platform and ongoing strategic investments, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustainable growth and create long-term value for our shareholders,” said Lim. Automotive and parts expo eyes RM12 million sales SERI KEMBANGAN: The Malaysia International Automotive & Parts Expo (Miapex) 2026 expects to generate about RM12 million in sales transactions, driven by strong business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) engagements. Organising chairman Ong Choon Jet said the expo will run from Oct 23-25 at the Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre, where around 350 local and international exhibitors are anticipated to participate in its sixth edition of Miapex. “These exhibitors come not only from Malaysia, but also from China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Germany, and Australia. “We want Miapex to be a platform where Malaysian and international automotive companies can meet, source, trade, discover new technologies and create new business opportunities,” he said during a press conference announcing the expo yesterday. Ong said that the expo, endorsed by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), is expected to attract over 22,000 visitors during the three-day event. Miapex embraces a B2B approach by industry and a B2C approach by experience, effectively connecting automotive businesses, suppliers, car owners, and the wider community. Meanwhile, as part of its B2B segment, Miapex would also be hosting the Asean Logistics and Transportation Conference from Oct 23–24, covering topics impacting the logistics sector including green electric vehicle (EV) fleets, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, cross-border logistics, and an industry leaders’ town hall session. Additionally, the Asia Automotive Repair Expert Conference 2026 would take place on Oct 25 to address technical advancements, EV car repair safety, and industry certification standards for local workshop owners. On the B2C side, Miapex would feature a range of experiential highlights, including the debut of the Philippines’ Bumper to Bumper Car Show in Malaysia, car club gatherings, the Raja & Ratu Tukar Tayar 2026 competition, mega sales, and interactive booth challenges featuring RM20,000 worth of lucky draw prizes. The event will also mark the launch of the Malaysia Toy Cars Expo, which aims to engage families and youth in automotive design and engineering principles. The expo will feature Tamiya mini 4WD and various remote control cars. – Bernama

opportunities introduce consumers to a wider range of flavours. The company plans to refine its local portfolio through consumer feedback and market experience. Kinza said it sees significant but distinct opportunities in both Malaysia and Indonesia, with its approach tailored to the structure, consumers and channels of each market. In Malaysia, Kinza’s approach will focus on partnerships across retail chains, convenience stores, food service and e-commerce, with a product offering shaped by local preferences, including reduced- and zero-sugar choices. Kinza’s participation at Mihas 2026 will therefore focus strongly on identifying partners with proven execution capabilities, market knowledge and the infrastructure necessary to build sustainable national distribution. “Our goal is not simply to enter more markets, but to build the right partnerships, understand local consumers and establish a foundation for long-term growth,” said Okrin. to

Kinza started establishing its presence in Malaysia via e-commerce and selected sales channels, while working to broaden distribution and identify a suitable local manufacturing and distribution partner. The company is actively seeking partnership opportunities, including contract manufacturing and industrial partnerships, based on local capabilities, market potential and commercial feasibility. Jeddah will remain an important production and export base as Kinza develops complementary local manufacturing capabilities internationally. Local production would enable Kinza to reduce supply lead times and logistics costs, respond more quickly to market demand and adapt its pack sizes, pricing, product mix and marketing to local consumer and channel requirements. Kinza’s carbonated soft-drink portfolio includes cola, lemon, orange, citrus, blackcurrant and pomegranate flavours, alongside zero-sugar products, soda water and energy drinks. Kinza sees potential in Southeast Asia for cola and zero-sugar options, as well as

o Saudi soft-drink brand to use Mihas 2026 to advance manufacturing and distribution partnerships in Malaysia and Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR: Kinza, a Saudi soft-drink brand in the Middle East, will participate in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) 2026 from Sept 23 to 26 seeking local manufacturing and distribution partners in Indonesia, Malaysia and several other Southeast Asian countries as the brand accelerates its next phase of international growth. Kinza sees Malaysia and Indonesia as two strategic markets for its Southeast Asian expansion. In Malaysia, it sees opportunities to build partnerships across manufacturing, distribution, retail and food service while in Indonesia, it plans to work with local partners to serve diverse consumer needs and develop a sustainable market presence. In a statement, Kinza said it is also seeking to establish local partners

with the capability to develop the brand through manufacturing, distribution, retail, food service and e-commerce, creating sustainable local businesses that can grow with consumer demand. “Kinza was born in Saudi Arabia, and our ambition has never been limited by geography. In a short period, our products have reached 75 markets across five continents,” said founder Bandar Okrin, adding that Southeast Asia represents an important next chapter in their international growth. Malaysia and Indonesia each offer distinct and compelling opportunities, and both are central to Kinza’s Southeast Asia strategy,” he said. Manufactured in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Kinza has expanded rapidly since its launch.

Petronas, partners seal methane management collaboration PETALING JAYA: Petronas has boosted regional cooperation on methane emissions management through the signing of a memorandum of collaboration with strategic partners to establish and operationalise the Southeast Asia Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Centre (SEA Metec) Collaboration Group. solutions aligned with Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 Level 4 and Level 5 reporting requirements. Held in conjunction with Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, the signing reflects the importance of international collaboration in advancing methane emissions management across the region. The SEA Metec collaboration brings together Petronas, JOGMEC, JGC Corporation and TotalEnergies to strengthen

methane emissions

Petronas vice-president and group chief sustainability officer Charlotte Wolff-Bye said SEA Metec will serve as a strategic platform for industry, technology and research partners to strengthen regional capabilities and evaluate methane management technologies under Southeast Asia operating conditions. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing credible methane emissions

The collaboration brings together Petronas, the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), JGC Corporation and TotalEnergies to advance methane emissions measurement, monitoring and capability development across Southeast Asia. Under the collaboration, Institut Teknologi Petroleum Petronas (INSTEP) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) will own and operate the SEA Metec facilities and deliver the training programmes. Partners including JOGMEC, JGC Corporation (Japan Metec) and TotalEnergies’ Anomaly Detection Initiatives will provide technical expertise, promote global best practices, and support the implementation of BATU KAWAN: UMediC Group Bhd (UMC), a medical devices marketing and distribution provider that also manufactures its own range of medical consumables, recorded a 52.1% increase in revenue to RM18.7 million in fourth quarter ended July 31, 2026 compared with the RM12.3 million reported for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The topline improvement was mainly contributed by the overall stronger contributions from the

measurement, monitoring and capability development in Southeast Asia. - PETRONAS WEBSITE

and verification, technology research and development, and capability building.

the region’s lower-carbon energy transition,” she said.

management by enhancing our collective ability to measure, monitor and manage emissions across the energy value chain. By bringing together global expertise and regional capabilities, we can accelerate the adoption of practical and effective solutions that support UMedic posts 52% year-on-year jump in fourth-quarter revenue SEA Metec is a key deliverable under the Asean Energy Sector Methane Leadership Programme (MLP), which has entered its third phase MLP 3.0. As the first centre of its kind in Southeast Asia, SEA Metec will support regional efforts to strengthen methane emissions measurement, monitoring, reporting The centre will be established across two locations in Malaysia, INSTEP in Terengganu and UTP in Perak. INSTEP will focus on venting and fugitive emissions management, while UTP will support activities related to flaring emissions management.

while enabling us to pursue new growth opportunities in both the domestic and international markets.” At the same time, he added, they continue to deepen their presence within high-value healthcare segments, particularly neurology, where their strategic partnerships with leading private hospital groups and the introduction of Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy have strengthened their position in an increasingly specialised field.

RM10.1 million and RM8.1 million respectively. UMC executive director/CEO Lim Taw Seong said, “UMediC continues to build on the investments we have made over the past few years as we strengthen our capabilities across manufacturing, distribution and specialised healthcare solutions. Our expanded manufacturing footprint provides the capacity to support the growing demand for our proprietary medical devices and consumables,

marketing and distribution segment. Gross profit in turn clocked in at RM7.1 million, while profit before tax (PBT) and profit after tax (PAT) were RM3 million and RM1.9 million respectively. For the cumulative full year period, the group posted a 20.8% increase in revenue to RM58.7 million as opposed to the RM48.6 million reported for the corresponding period last year. As a result, gross profit registered an improvement by 11.7% to RM25 million while PBT and PAT came in at