The week at a glance 26 March 2017

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Sabah & Sarawak

MTIB, UITM cooperate on research into 10 Malaysian tropical woods

The Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) is working with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to undertake research and development into 10 Malaysian wood species for glued laminated timber (glulam). The research involved the compilation of wood strength data to determine the maximum load that can be sustained by a glulam beam.

 

JobStreet education, Swinburne online partner for world-class qualifications

Online education portal for working adults, JobStreet Education, has partnered Swinburne Online to provide Malaysians with world-class qualifications.

 

Plantations continue to drive Ta Ann’s earnings

Ta Ann Holdings Bhd (Ta Ann) is expected to see its earnings pick up in the financial year 2017 (FY17) and FY18, driven by its plantation business. The research team at AmInvestment Bank Bhd believed that the group could see its earnings pick up by five and 10 per cent for FY17 and FY18.

 

Investments at POIC Tanjung Manis to come in at RM270 million within next four years

Investments for the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) Tanjung Manis is expected to come in at about RM270 million from new private investment within the next four years, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) says.

 

Innovation key to growth of building industry

Innovation is key to meeting the current demand in the building and construction industry, says Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg. He also pointed out that the state government’s plan on modern urban development for Sarawak should provide industry professionals the chance to come up with innovative ideas and designs to boost local communities’.

 

National

Construction sector enters upcycle as index reaches new high

The construction sector is entering an upcycle, the research arm of MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd (MIDF Research) observes, with the KL Construction Index (KLCon Index) having climbed to a new high of 25.43-fold.

 

TNB improves ranking in Global Top 50 utility brands

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) rose 15 spots to rank 24th in Brand Finance’s Global Top 50 utility brands in 2017, or Utilities 50 (2017). TNB said this represented a significant 33 per cent jump for the national utility corporation’s brand value of US1.58 billion from US$1.19 billion in 2016.

 

Malaysia marks first e-hub for Alibaba outside of China

Alibaba Group on Wednesday announced the establishment of an e-hub under the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) initiative together with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the country’s digital economy development agency, and other parties. This marks a key milestone in the realization of the eWTP’s vision to lower trade barriers and provide more equitable access to global markets for small and medium enterprises and young people around the world.

 

Malaysia aerospace industry to grow by 7 pct this year

Malaysia’s aerospace industry is expected to grow by seven per cent this year on robust demand for aircraft from Asian countries, especially China and India.  Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, said aerospace manufacturing, a major part of the industry in Malaysia, was expected to contribute 55 per cent to the industry’s overall value this year.

 

Proton to announce strategic partner in May

Proton Holdings Bhd is expected to announce its foreign strategic partner in May this year, said Second Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan. However, he declined to name the partner.

 

Petronas installs waste heat boilers for PIC refinery

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has installed two modularised waste heat boilers for its refinery currently under construction at the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) in Pengerang, Johor.

The two waste heat boilers are important components of the residual fluid catalytic cracking unit (RFCC) within the refinery, which function is to crack hydrotreated atmospheric residue into feedstock for the Stream Cracker facility.