Singapore Energy Interconnections, SP Group, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) have signed a Joint Development Agreement to conduct a feasibility study for a second electricity interconnection between Singapore and Malaysia. Announced at the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the project aims to enhance energy cooperation and increase cross-border electricity trade capacity to 2,000 megawatts by 2030.

The agreement was signed by TNB’s President and CEO, Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Bin Megat Hassan, SP PowerGrid’s CEO, Jimmy Khoo, and SGEI’s CEO, Ong Teng Koon. The ceremony was witnessed by Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, and Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy, Dr Tan See Leng.

This study follows a successful pre-feasibility study completed in May 2025, which found no technical barriers to the project. Datuk Ir. Megat Jalaluddin Bin Megat Hassan stated, “The upcoming feasibility study for the second Malaysia–Singapore interconnection is a crucial step towards expanding cross-border electricity trade.”

SP Group’s Group CEO, Stanley Huang, emphasised the importance of regional grid connectivity, saying, “This study will be the conduit for closer collaboration with Malaysia to enhance energy security through diversified low carbon energy sources.”

The first interconnection, established in 1983 and upgraded in 2022, currently supports two cross-border electricity trade projects. The second interconnection is expected to further the ASEAN Power Grid vision, strengthening regional grid connectivity and electricity trade.

Asia Pacific is increasingly pivotal in global trade resilience, according to the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, a report by DHL and New York University’s Stern School of Business. Released on 17 October 2025, the report highlights how the region is adapting to policy changes under President Trump’s second term, with international trade growing at its fastest rate since 2010, excluding the pandemic rebound.

The report reveals that six of the 10 fastest-growing trade lanes originate from Asia, underscoring the region’s significant role in global trade. Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are among the top 10 markets showing rapid trade value growth, reflecting Asia Pacific’s increasing influence and resilience in supply chain networks.

Intra-Asia trade is also on the rise, with East Asia & Pacific’s intra-regional trade share increasing from 55% to 56%. This shift is evident in the reduced trade distances for countries like Thailand, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR, indicating a pivot towards regional partners.

ASEAN has emerged as a key destination for Chinese exports, offsetting a 15% drop in exports to the US with a 15% increase to ASEAN. Vietnam, Thailand, and India have seen the largest increases in their share of China’s exports.

Prof. Steven A. Altman of NYU Stern notes that despite policy threats, globalisation remains robust, with companies managing risks and opportunities in a connected world. The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, which analyses over 20 million data points, provides insights into these trends, supporting businesses in navigating global trade dynamics.

Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) has unveiled Dana Iklim+, Malaysia’s inaugural climate-focused investment fund, with a target deployment of RM2 billion. This initiative, launched at the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025 by Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani, seeks to propel Malaysia towards a Net Zero future by investing in climate-focused sectors such as infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and nature-based solutions.

Dana Iklim+ is KWAP’s third catalytic investment programme, following Dana Pemacu and Dana Perintis, and aims to further strengthen Malaysia’s investment ecosystem. The fund is designed to deliver both financial returns and environmental benefits, supporting the nation’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. “Dana Iklim+ is an integral part of this effort and demonstrates how institutional capital can be mobilised to drive both environmental impact and sustainable economic growth,” said Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin, KWAP’s Chief Investment Officer.

The fund is structured as a multi-asset investment strategy, prioritising opportunities that generate meaningful climate impact and sustainable long-term returns. It aligns with national frameworks such as the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the Ministry of Finance’s GEAR-uP initiative, reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in green investment.

Dana Iklim+ also incorporates KWAP’s impact measurement framework, which evaluates investments across six dimensions, including alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative aims to mitigate up to one million metric tonnes of CO2e, underscoring KWAP’s commitment to embedding sustainability into Malaysia’s financial ecosystem.

CIMB Bank Berhad and PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad have introduced the CIMB PETRONAS Visa Debit Card, offering cardholders up to RM2,000 in annual cashback on petrol and car-related expenses. The card, launched on 16 October 2025, aims to ease living costs for customers by providing savings on fuel and other essential expenses.

The new debit card complements the existing CIMB PETRONAS Visa Credit Card, allowing customers to maximise their cashback benefits. Gurdip Singh Sidhu, CEO of CIMB Malaysia, highlighted the card’s role in stretching customers’ budgets and enhancing financial resilience. “By enabling these savings, we aim to deliver greater value to our customers and help them build better financial resilience,” he stated.

Azureen Azita Abdullah, COO of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that the card is designed to manage everyday expenses with meaningful savings. “We continue to make life Simpler, Better and More Rewarding for our customers in their everyday journeys,” she said.

The card offers 10% cashback on PETRONAS transactions, including Setel App top-ups and Café Mesra purchases, as well as selected EV charging stations, motor insurance, and car wash services. Eligibility requires a minimum monthly average balance of RM1,000 in a CIMB account.

This initiative also aims to digitise transactions at petrol stations, promoting seamless and secure payments. Previn Pillay, Visa’s Country Manager for Malaysia, emphasised the opportunity to enhance urban mobility and payment convenience through this partnership. The card is available at all CIMB branches nationwide.

The Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025, spearheaded by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation, is making waves as a pivotal event for climate action in the ASEAN region. Launched by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the summit gathers leaders from government, academia, and industry to forge pathways for sustainable development.

The summit, co-organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and the Ministry of Economy, features high-level policy addresses reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable growth. Deputy Minister of Economy, Dato Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, emphasised the integration of sustainable development into national policies, whilst Secretary General Ching Thoo al Kim highlighted the need for public-private collaboration to build climate resilience.

Day one spotlighted global collaboration, with UN Special Adviser Selwin Charles Hart stressing shared responsibility in climate resilience. Maybank Foundation’s CEO, Izlyn Ramli, showcased partnerships driving inclusive green growth. The second day focused on translating ambition into action, with Bloomberg Intelligence’s Eric Kane leading discussions on cross-sector collaboration.

A significant outcome was the unveiling of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Climate Resilience, a national call to action uniting various sectors in climate adaptation efforts. The summit concludes with a message from Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, urging immediate climate action and positioning Malaysia as a leader in regional decarbonisation.

The Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF), Southeast Asia’s largest export-oriented furniture trade show, is set to revolutionise Malaysia’s furniture industry with the launch of an integrated design ecosystem. This initiative, anchored by the MIFF Furniture Design Competition (MIFF FDC) 2026 and the MIFF FDC CLUB, aims to nurture young talent and foster collaboration amongst designers and manufacturers.

The MIFF FDC 2026, themed “Playful, Practical, Purposeful Furniture for Generation Alpha,” challenges designers under 40 to create innovative bedroom furniture for children aged five to nine. Chief Judge Eric Leong emphasised the competition’s focus on future consumers, stating, “This is about designing for the future consumer.” Winners will receive cash prizes totalling $2,550 (RM12,000), trophies, and recognition, with submissions closing on 1 December 2025.

Building on the competition’s success, the MIFF FDC CLUB offers a year-round platform for collaboration, operating through networking, curated collaborations, and content development. This club connects young designers with established manufacturers, providing opportunities such as facility tours and prototype development. Recent collaborations include partnerships between past competition winners and local manufacturers, set to debut at MIFF 2026.

Additionally, the xOrdinary Design Exhibition, themed “Happiness First,” will showcase unconventional design ideas. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive ecosystem supporting Malaysia’s shift from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) and Original Brand Manufacturer (OBM) manufacturing, aligning with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.

MIFF 2026 will be held from 4 to 7 March 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre and World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

Six national payment networks from five ASEAN countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a common global standards body for non-card instant retail payments. The George Town Accord, signed on 9 October 2025 in Malaysia, aims to create seamless, secure, and interoperable cross-border transactions for over 538 million people.

The signatories include Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet), Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) from Singapore, National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), BancNet from the Philippines, and Indonesia’s Artajasa and Rintis. This collaboration marks the launch of the Next50 Common Standards project, which seeks to harmonise QR payments, account-to-account transfers, e-wallets, and other mobile-based digital payment methods using technologies like Near Field Communication (NFC), biometrics, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Project Next50 is our answer. This represents domestic payment networks’ commitment to shared ownership, practical cooperation, and strategic alignment in a rapidly evolving payments industry.”

Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS, remarked that the MoU is a significant step towards ASEAN’s seamless payment connectivity and interoperability, enhancing the region’s digital economy.

The Next50 project aims to link domestic payment networks globally whilst respecting each nation’s payment sovereignty. It invites payment networks worldwide to join in advancing interoperable and inclusive cross-border payments. The immediate focus will be on streamlining technical and operational standards, including dispute resolution and fraud prevention, to establish a safer global payment ecosystem.

Food Innovators Holdings Limited (FIH) has launched a new KANBE Ramen Restaurant at The Waterfront @ Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur, marking the fourth KANBE outlet in Malaysia. This expansion is part of FIH’s strategy to scale quality Japanese dining concepts across key markets in Asia. The new restaurant is structured as a franchise-style collaboration, with F Innovators Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of FIH, investing 25% of the total project cost.

Located in the award-winning township of Desa ParkCity, the restaurant offers a premium-casual dining experience, emphasising warmth, craftsmanship, and multisensory engagement. The area is known for its vibrant community and family-friendly environment, attracting approximately 20,000 visitors daily. The restaurant occupies a space of 1,502 square feet and can seat up to 58 guests.

FIH CEO Kubota Yasuaki stated, “We are pleased to expand the KANBE brand together with our partners. This milestone is a testament to our capabilities in brand introduction, marketing, and scaling across Southeast Asia.”

This opening follows the recent debut of FIH’s Halal-certified Japanese Honolu Ramen in Kuala Lumpur. With six new restaurants launched in 2025, FIH continues to expand its portfolio, aiming to deliver authentic Japanese dining experiences to local customers. The Group manages 228 subleased properties in Japan and has a brand portfolio of 31 restaurants across Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Food Innovators Holdings Limited (FIH), a company specialising in Japanese cuisines across Asia, has announced a net profit of S$0.2m for the first half of 2026, marking a return to profitability. This turnaround is attributed to a 10.5% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching S$23.8m, primarily driven by the expansion of its sublease business in Japan and restaurant operations in Malaysia.

The company’s sublease business in Japan saw a 17.8% rise in revenue, whilst the restaurant business in Malaysia grew by 15.5%. Despite a slight decline in gross profit margin by 0.8 percentage points due to initial costs from opening five new restaurants, gross profit increased by 4.7% to S$3.8m.

FIH continues to benefit from rising tourism in its key markets, expanding its sublease property portfolio in Japan’s vibrant food and beverage sector, and scaling its restaurant business in Southeast Asia. The company has introduced a new chain-store expansion strategy, sharing investment costs and profits with employees to facilitate regional growth. This model has been implemented with the opening of a new KANBE Ramen restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

Looking forward, FIH plans to leverage its strong network and brand credibility to expand its sublease property portfolio and introduce innovative dining concepts. CEO Kubota Yasuaki stated, “We remain committed to curating quality Japanese brands across Asia, bringing authentic Japanese cuisine and dining culture to a wider audience.”

Malaysia has unveiled the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Climate Resilience at the opening of the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2025. The event, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, is organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC). It seeks to secure $11.7 billion (RM55 billion) in business leads, with participation from 50 countries and 500 exhibition booths.

The opening ceremony was led by Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, Deputy Minister of NRES, who highlighted Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair 2025. He stated, “IGEM reflects this vision by convening regional leaders, innovators, and communities to work together on practical solutions for the climate transition.”

IGEM 2025 serves as a marketplace for converting ideas into investments, with several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed and new collaborations announced. The event will feature key programmes such as the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum, the 3rd Energy Efficiency Forum, and Malaysia-Japan Environment Week, focusing on decarbonisation and resilience.

Prominent exhibitors include Petronas, showcasing hydrogen energy and carbon capture technologies; Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), presenting solar initiatives; OCBC Bank, offering green financing solutions; and Xiamen Solar First Energy Technology, a leader in solar energy solutions.

As ASEAN Chair 2025, Malaysia is reinforcing its leadership in the region’s net-zero transition, ensuring sustainability remains central to growth. IGEM 2025 continues to drive investment opportunities and foster cross-border deals, setting the stage for impactful green innovation and collaboration.