Weixin Mini Programmes experienced a significant increase in global transaction value during the Lunar New Year holiday from 15 to 23 February, with a 65% year-on-year rise. Chinese outbound tourists increasingly utilised the app for dining, transport, hotel bookings, and attraction tickets, contributing to this growth.

The Year of the Horse in 2026 spurred interest in horse-themed travel, with destinations featuring the character “马” (horse) in their names seeing a notable uptick in visitors. Malaysia, in particular, witnessed a 131% increase in offline transaction value by Chinese tourists, whilst transaction value on Malaysia-based Weixin Mini Programmes surged by over 140%.

Italy emerged as a standout destination, partly due to the Winter Olympics, recording a 190% increase in transaction value. Other “dark horse” markets included Qatar and Switzerland, which also saw significant growth in transactions.

In terms of inbound tourism, visitors to the Chinese mainland using Weixin Pay linked to international bank cards saw a doubling in average daily visits. The medical aesthetics sector experienced a doubling in transaction value, highlighting its rapid growth.

Weixin Pay’s support for 29 overseas wallets across 12 countries contributed to a 28% increase in transactions during the holiday period. This interoperability is expected to continue driving growth in international transactions. As the Year of the Horse progresses, these trends may further influence global travel patterns.

Nam Cheong Limited, a leading offshore support vessel provider based in Sarawak, Malaysia, has announced the acquisition of shipbuilding contracts valued at US$64.5m. The contracts, awarded by a UAE-based global energy maritime logistics company, mark Nam Cheong’s first newbuild order in over ten years, reflecting a resurgence in demand for offshore support vessels amid strengthening offshore oil and gas activities.

The contracts involve the construction of four offshore support vessels (OSVs), comprising two 60-metre Dive Support Vessels and two 60-metre Remote Operated Landing Crafts. These vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2027 and early 2028. Notably, the Remote Operated Landing Crafts will be among the first of their kind globally, featuring unmanned operations controlled remotely via satellite.

All vessels will be constructed at Nam Cheong’s Miri Yard in Sarawak, showcasing the company’s advanced shipbuilding capabilities developed over six decades. The newbuilds are expected to contribute positively to Nam Cheong’s earnings from 2026 to 2028, subject to contract conditions.

Nam Cheong’s CEO, Leong Seng Keat, expressed enthusiasm about the contracts, stating, “We are thrilled to have an established UAE-based global energy maritime logistics company as our new customer. This marks the beginning of the resurgence in demand for our shipbuilding activities after more than a decade.”

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) has recently announced another oil output hike, indicating a positive outlook for the oil industry. This development is expected to enhance demand for newbuild OSVs as the global fleet approaches its replacement cycle.

CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and CIMB Foundation have committed over RM2.22m to their annual Harapan Ramadan programme, aiming to empower more than 45,000 beneficiaries from underserved communities across Malaysia. This year’s initiative focuses on integrating small business owners into the programme’s value chain, enhancing local economic participation.

The programme involves collaboration with 100 neighbourhood general stores to supply food box items, thereby supporting small businesses and reinforcing local supply chains. Additionally, CIMB is providing a RM1,000 seed fund to 50 asnaf micro-entrepreneurs, including alumni from its entrepreneurship programmes, to help them establish sustainable businesses during Ramadan.

The launch event, attended by key figures such as Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan and Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, saw the distribution of food boxes to 150 beneficiaries from various Malaysian agencies. The programme, funded through corporate donations and Zakat Wakalah funds, aims to deliver long-term socio-economic impact.

CIMB’s efforts extend beyond Malaysia, with additional Ramadan initiatives in Indonesia and Singapore. These include iftar distributions and aid to orphanages and low-income families, highlighting the bank’s commitment to diversity and community support.

Ahmad Shahriman, CEO of CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation, stated, “Harapan Ramadan reflects our commitment to uplifting communities in a meaningful and sustainable way.” Since its inception in 2022, the programme has channelled over RM8.7m, benefiting over 174,500 recipients and engaging more than 1,300 CIMB employees in volunteer activities.

Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad has unveiled new initiatives aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the commercial sector. The company is offering complimentary financial assistance for unexpected business closures and enhanced coverage for foreign workers. These measures are designed to empower SMEs, which contribute nearly 40% to Malaysia’s GDP and employ almost half of the workforce, by providing comprehensive protection strategies against unforeseen challenges.

“In today’s challenging economic landscape, it is important for businesses to have reliable support systems in place,” said Allianz General CEO Sean Wang. The company is offering financial assistance to businesses facing closures of 48 hours or more due to unexpected events, alleviating the burden during difficult times.

The Allianz Business Resilience Campaign provides corporate policyholders with active Allianz Business Shield, Standard Fire, or Commercial Fire policies with one-off financial support up to $4,300 (RM20,000) if a covered event causes the insured premises to close for 48 hours or more. This campaign runs from 1 February 2026 to 31 December 2026 or until the total financial relief reaches $540,000 (RM2.5m).

Additionally, Allianz General’s Foreign Workers Hospitalisation and Surgical policy now includes complimentary one-year Group Personal Accident coverage. This enhancement is designed to ease the financial burden on employers in the event of an accident, whilst providing foreign workers with extra financial protection.

These initiatives reflect Allianz General’s commitment to safeguarding both assets and people, ensuring businesses are well-protected against a wide range of potential disruptions.

AWC Berhad, a leading engineering services group, has announced its financial results for the second quarter and first half of the financial year ending 31 December 2025. The group reported a revenue of RM203.2m for the first half of FY26, a slight decrease from RM211.2m in the previous year, primarily due to reduced contributions from its Environment Division amidst a slowdown in the Middle East market.

The Group’s net profit for the period was RM8.2m, down from RM12.5m in 1HFY25. This decline was attributed to lower order fulfilment and delivery in the Rail Division. However, the Engineering Division showed a promising performance with a 29.9% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching RM54.5m, driven by progress in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) segment.

AWC’s CEO, Ahmad Kabeer bin Mohamed Nagoor, noted, “Our earnings trajectory continues to align with the pace of recently secured contract awards. This is primarily attributable to the extended slowdown in the Middle East market affecting our Environment Division, whilst revenue recognition from newly secured projects has only begun in 2026.”

Despite the challenges, AWC remains optimistic about its future prospects, supported by a robust order book of RM910m as of the end of December 2025. The company has proposed an interim dividend of 0.5 sen per share for the current quarter. Looking ahead, AWC anticipates that contributions from newly commenced projects will gain momentum, positioning the group favourably for FY27.

Great Place To Work, the global authority on workplace culture, is set to release Malaysia’s inaugural Best Workplaces list on 26 February. This marks the first time the methodology behind the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For has been applied in Malaysia. The list, based on feedback from 45,000 employees across 95,000-strong workforces, highlights 20 organisations excelling in workplace culture across various sectors, including technology, hospitality, and finance.

The introduction of this list comes at a pivotal time for Malaysia, which is experiencing significant economic growth and a competitive talent market. Evelyn Kwek, Managing Director of Great Place To Work ASEAN and ANZ, stated, “It’s an extremely dynamic time for this country, and as the nation presses forward with these big ambitions for growth, it makes sense for organisations here to have a benchmark for attracting and retaining high-quality talent.”

The rankings are determined using the Great Place To Work Trust Index Survey, which evaluates employee experiences across all roles and levels. To be considered for the list, organisations must first achieve Great Place To Work Certification by scoring at least 65% on the survey.

Malaysia’s economic landscape, characterised by a 5.2% growth last year and significant investments from North American tech giants, underscores the importance of workplace culture as a strategic differentiator. Kwek emphasised the role of trust in high-performing workplaces, noting that “high-trust workplaces earn up to 8.5 times more revenue per employee than the market average.”

The Best Workplaces list aims to provide a benchmark for Malaysian companies, fostering a culture of trust and inclusiveness as the nation builds its next-generation workforce.

Oiltek International Limited has announced the acquisition of new contracts valued at RM37.2m across several global markets, including the Philippines, Africa, Pakistan, and Malaysia. These contracts, which will be fulfilled over the next 18 to 24 months, are expected to positively impact the company’s financial performance for the year ending 31 December 2026.

The contracts involve the design, fabrication, delivery, testing, and commissioning of various plants and systems. Specifically, Oiltek will construct a 200 metric tonnes per day (MTD) biodiesel plant in the Philippines, a 100 MTD physical refinery plant in Africa, a 100 MTD neutralisation plant in Pakistan, and a glycidyl esters mitigation system for an existing 700 MTD physical refinery plant in Malaysia.

Henry Yong Khai Weng, Executive Director and CEO of Oiltek, highlighted the company’s resilience and adaptability in securing these orders, which underscore the strength of its geographically diversified business. “Our expanding international footprint mitigates concentration risk and enhances revenue stability,” he stated.

With these new contracts, Oiltek’s current order book stands at approximately RM350m. The company, listed on the SGX Mainboard, continues to focus on delivering sustainable growth and creating long-term value for its shareholders through disciplined cost management and strong supply chain execution.

Spritzer Berhad, Malaysia’s leading natural mineral water brand, recently hosted residents and volunteers from the Penang Cheshire Home at the Spritzer EcoPark in Taiping. This initiative aimed to foster inclusivity and connection through nature-based activities, providing a welcoming environment for persons with disabilities. The EcoPark, known for its wheelchair-friendly design, enabled participants to navigate the space comfortably and engage in recreational activities.

The event, which brought together 93 individuals, included a communal lunch and a mini golf session, encouraging bonding and active participation. Winnie Chin, Head of Public Relations at Spritzer, highlighted the importance of shared experiences in nature for nurturing a sense of belonging and dignity among marginalised groups. “It was a heartwarming day of enjoying meals together, trying new activities, and simply connecting on a human level,” she said.

Koay Say Loke Andrew, President of the Penang Cheshire Home, expressed appreciation for the accessible setting, noting that such initiatives foster greater understanding and inclusion within the community. Spritzer’s commitment to inclusivity is part of its broader outreach efforts, aiming to create shared moments that embrace diversity.

Spritzer EcoPark plans to continue welcoming community groups, reinforcing its mission to strengthen social bonds through nature-based activities. This initiative underscores Spritzer’s dedication to meaningful community building and inclusivity, aligning with its vision of a more inclusive Malaysia.

Semico Capital Berhad, a provider of family entertainment products and services, has announced a significant rise in its financial performance for the second quarter of the financial year 2026 (Q2FY26), ending 31 December 2025. The company reported a 29.3% increase in revenue, reaching RM9.4m, compared to RM7.3m in the previous quarter. This growth was primarily driven by a 47.5% increase in the family entertainment segment, which contributed RM5m.

The first half of the financial year 2026 (1HFY26) saw Semico Capital achieving a profit after tax (PAT) of RM3.1m, supported by RM16.7m in revenue. The company maintained a balanced revenue distribution, with the family entertainment segment accounting for 50.5% of total revenue and the toys and collectables segment contributing 49.5%.

Tai Lee Chuen, Executive Director and CEO of Semico Capital, expressed satisfaction with the results, attributing the success to increased consumer demand during the festive season. “We are pleased to have delivered another set of positive results in Q2FY26,” he stated. Looking forward, he highlighted the favourable outlook for the theme park and family attraction industry, supported by government initiatives like Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

In a strategic move, Semico Capital secured licensing rights for Upin & Ipin characters, allowing the company to manufacture and distribute related products across several Southeast Asian countries. This follows the company’s recent listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, which raised RM23.2m in fresh capital.

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, has partnered with Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) to facilitate QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia. This agreement, announced on 13 February 2026, aims to enhance cross-border payment connectivity by allowing Indian travellers in Malaysia to use their Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps at DuitNow QR acceptance points. Subsequently, Malaysian visitors to India will be able to make payments using their DuitNow apps at UPI QR-enabled locations.

The initiative will be rolled out in phases, starting with Indian tourists accessing millions of DuitNow QR merchant touchpoints in Malaysia, including restaurants, retail stores, and tourist attractions. In return, Malaysian travellers will benefit from UPI QR acceptance across numerous locations in India.

Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and CEO of NIPL, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with PayNet marks an important step in enabling seamless QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia, offering travellers a familiar, secure, and convenient payment experience.” Praveen Rajan, CEO of PayNet, added that the linkage between DuitNow QR and UPI will bolster payment connectivity for travellers, merchants, and the financial services ecosystem.

This collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to trade and economic activity between the two nations, especially in the context of Visit Malaysia 2026 and increasing two-way travel. The integration of these payment systems underscores a commitment to simplifying cross-border transactions and enhancing digital connectivity.