AFFIN Group’s Post

Spending part of sunday learning more on market-based financing for SMEs in Malaysia. The report was launched by ICMR, Securities Commission Malaysia(SC) last Friday, highlighting one of the crucial gaps within the export ecosystem - 'financing' and the need for alternative financing options, to accommodate the evolving needs of SMEs at various stages in their business life cycle. Some of these SMEs are actively setting their footprints in the #international market. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is supporting this initiative by SC and the findings will be fundamental in driving the initiative - 'promote other sources of financing to widen the options for exporters' within Working Group 3 of MATRADE’s National Trade Blueprint(NTBp). In trade and #export promotion, it is crucial to understand the constraints and work together with ecosystem players to address these challenges so that we can facilitate SMEs and entrepreneurs to be globally competitive. Happy sunday Cheers #marketbasedfinancing #exportecosystem #matrade #globalcompetitiveness #startsmallgrowbigger

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚, 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐂𝐁𝐂 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦’𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or the “Exchange”) recently signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (“MoC”) with Westports Holdings Berhad (“Westports”) and OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad (“OCBC Bank”), making them the latest adopters of the Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (“CSI”) Platform. The MoC aims to widen adoption among Malaysian companies, particularly within the transportation and logistics sectors, through improved Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) data transparency and interoperability. The CSI Platform, which was developed by Bursa Malaysia in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange Group, will serve as a repository for sustainability disclosures by Malaysian listed companies, along with disclosures by local and international suppliers throughout their supply chains. Additionally, it will enable companies to calculate and track their carbon emissions impact, while subsequently facilitating green financing and decarbonisation efforts. The Memorandum of Collaboration was signed by Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam bin Abdullah, Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director of Westports (left); Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia (centre); and Ms. Tan Ai Chin, Managing Director, Senior Banker & Head of Investment Banking of OCBC Bank (Malaysia) (right). #WestportsMalaysia #Westports #Sustainability

"Innovation" has become a common topic in nearly every discussion nowadays... Ever wondered what a "Head of Innovation Lab" for a bank does? Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting Hannah chu hong hanh on AIBP’s latest podcast episode. Some key points covered: - What is the role of technology and customer experience in promoting innovation? - Generative AI... a buzzword, or is there already something in the works at ACB? - What are some digital financial innovations that could disrupt the market in the next couple of years?   Full podcast episode is out on all major streaming platforms (Spotify link here - https://lnkd.in/gkyyBZbp ) It’s clear that banking will continue to evolve more so in the New Normal, and I am looking forward to the many forward-thinking initiatives ACB - Asia Commercial Bank (and their innovation lab) is brewing! #innovation #financialinnovation #banking #financialservices #technology #customerexperience #podcast

Our esteemed CEO, Raja Teh Maimunah, was recently selected to contribute to REO Communications' research for an exclusive report on Malaysia that will be featured in the highly regarded Fortune magazine. This report serves the purpose of promoting a positive image of Malaysia to the global community. Its main focus will be on highlighting the country's economic potential and success stories.   During the research interview, Raja Teh provided valuable insights on the digital banking industry in Malaysia, drawing from successful examples of digital banking globally. It is worth noting that AEON Group Malaysia , a brand with a longstanding presence in Malaysia for 40 years, has evolved from a retail company to a financial institution and will soon launch its own digital bank which will be led by Raja Teh. The soon-to-be launched digital bank is expected to benefit both AEON's existing customers and new customers, as well as local micro SMEs, SMEs, and the unbanked population. Additionally, this digital bank will also be targeting the higher income groups with more tailored offerings.   The comprehensive report will be organised into various sectors of the economy, offering a comprehensive overview of Malaysia as a thriving nation and a growing powerhouse with a diverse society at the heart of ASEAN. #researchreport #digitalbank #AEON #financialinclusion #MSME #unbanked #underserved #FortuneMagazine  

In Tahseen Consulting's #MENA+ #tech #policy insight, you'll read about the #UAE’s #Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority [VARA] approving Nexo for #digitalassets services, Cisco setting up a regional #HQ in #SaudiArabia, the #EGP slumping 38%+ after biggest-ever rate hike and #devaluation, #Pakistan’s SadaPay's distressed deal showcasing #EMI challenges, , AliExpress launching a #GCC #influencer affiliate program, #Iran, #Syria, and #Iraq exploring a #freezone, #Singapore #ridehailing firm Ryde debuting on NYSE, #Vietnam and #Australia holding talks on critical minerals to diversity supply chains, and #India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) planning a National Broadcasting Policy consultation. 🇦🇪 #UAE Novel Foods Group L.L.C to build $500M #biotech site for #brazzein 🇸🇦 #KSA #Digitaleconomy ▲ 10% to $122B since Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016 🇪🇬 #EGYPT secures $8B International Monetary Fund loan 🇵🇰 #PAKISTAN #BridgeStart to support #startup global expansion 🇶🇦 #QATAR’s Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority attracts 100+ companies via Web Summit Qatar 🌍 #MENA Mubadala, Bpifrance invest in $300M+ #Africa #VC fund Partech #africanmusic II 🇹🇷 #TURKEY Ubicloud raises $16M from Y Combinator, 500 Emerging Europe 🇸🇬 #SINGAPORE Shopee boosts livestreaming as Sea targets profitability 🇵🇭 #PHILIPPINES GCash (Mynt - Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.) partners with Axie Infinity on a fiat off-ramp 🇮🇳 #INDIA Competition Commission Of India issues #antitrust penalty guide

How do you measure innovation efforts in your organisation?

Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, shared his insights on the future of tech innovation in the Halal sector and Islamic fintech during the No-Frills Discussion: Future of Tech Innovation in the Halal Sector at Penang Halal Expo and Conference 2023. Emphasizing digital innovation and public-private partnerships, Malaysia aims to become a global Islamic Digital Economy hub, driving economic growth, investments, and job creation. #SayaDigital #MalaysiaDigital #PIHEC2023