The Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2025 is set to open its doors from 17 to 20 September at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. This year’s event, themed “Pinnacle of Halal Excellence,” will feature 45,000 visitors and 2,400 booths, with participants from 80 countries. The showcase aims to foster global business collaborations and discussions on halal standards and innovation.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, will officiate the opening ceremony on 19 September. MIHAS 2025 is part of the Global Halal Summit, underscoring Malaysia’s dedication to advancing the halal industry through innovation and international partnerships.

The exhibition will highlight a diverse range of halal products, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, Islamic finance, and Muslim-friendly tourism. The International Sourcing Programme (INSP) will facilitate business matching, offering platforms like MADANI Digital Trade for direct engagements between buyers and sellers.

The Knowledge Hub will provide expert briefings and panel discussions on halal certification, market access, and themes such as digitalisation and sustainability. The MIHAS Awards Ceremony on 20 September will recognise enterprises for excellence and innovation in the halal sector.

Following its success in Dubai, MIHAS will expand internationally with MIHAS Shanghai from 5 to 10 November, in conjunction with the China International Import Expo. This expansion aims to strengthen Malaysian enterprises’ presence in the Chinese market, one of the largest halal consumer bases globally. Through these initiatives, MIHAS continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global halal economy.

AlphaMove, a Malaysian blockchain start-up, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Guangxi Research Department under the Nanning Provincial Government of China. Announced during the 3rd Forum on China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, this collaboration aims to accelerate advancements in AI, blockchain, and smart city development.

The agreement outlines a long-term partnership to create a compliant and interoperable blockchain ecosystem enhanced by AI capabilities. AlphaMove and Guangxi Research Department will explore applications in asset pricing, risk management, and regulatory monitoring, focusing on tokenised real-world assets such as real estate and corporate equity. The partnership also plans to establish AI and blockchain research laboratories in Nanning and Kuala Lumpur, fostering cross-border innovation.

Kingsley Tan, CEO of AlphaMove, stated, “This partnership is a milestone in the collaboration between Malaysia and China in advancing high-tech economies. Together we are building the foundation for interoperable, compliant, and future-ready smart city solutions that will benefit communities across ASEAN.”

The collaboration highlights China’s leadership in smart city innovation and Malaysia’s contribution to ASEAN’s digital future. By merging China’s government-backed research with Malaysia’s entrepreneurial spirit, the partnership aims to drive transformative applications in healthcare, finance, and urban development, supporting a digitally interconnected ASEAN region.

UPS has announced significant enhancements to its intra-Asia air network, aiming to facilitate faster and more reliable trade across the Asia Pacific region. These upgrades, revealed on 16 September 2025, include increased flight frequency and capacity, particularly between Shenzhen and Sydney, as well as improved transit times from Asia and Europe to Australia.

The logistics giant now operates five weekly Boeing 767 flights from Shenzhen to Sydney, quadrupling capacity on this high-growth trade lane. This expansion is designed to meet the rising demand in sectors such as healthcare, technology, and automotive. “We continue to see strong momentum across Asia Pacific,” said Wilfredo Ramos, president of UPS Asia Pacific. “Our network is designed to give our customers the agility, reliability, and assurance they need to grow confidently in a dynamic region.”

Key improvements include a reduction in delivery time from China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam to Australia, now achievable in two business days. Additionally, next-business-day delivery is available for Friday pickups. The enhancements also mean exports to major Asian markets and imports from Europe will arrive one day earlier, providing Australian businesses with faster access to critical goods.

Furthermore, UPS has upgraded its Hanoi-Shenzhen route by deploying larger Boeing 747 freighters, doubling weekly cargo capacity to 570 tonnes. This move supports growing demand from Vietnam to China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, offering next-business-day deliveries to China and Hong Kong SAR.

These developments follow recent investments by UPS in Malaysia and Japan, aimed at enhancing delivery capabilities and expanding services. As UPS continues to invest in its global network, these enhancements are expected to optimise supply chains and support business growth across the region.

Amadeus, a leader in travel technology solutions, has been selected by Corporate Information Travel Sdn Bhd (CIT) in Malaysia to spearhead its digital transformation. CIT will transition to the Amadeus Travel Platform, aiming to enhance its air content and modernise its technological capabilities. This move is part of CIT’s strategy to build a scalable system that supports business growth and operational efficiency.

CIT’s Managing Director, Thaddeus Foo, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “We are confident that Amadeus will help us deliver on our digital transformation vision. We want our consultants to spend less time on repetitive tasks so they have more time to prioritise customer service and company values.” The collaboration will also enable CIT to offer a more client-oriented website with modern content, including New Distribution Capability (NDC), ensuring its competitiveness in the digital retail space.

Ramona Bohwongprasert, Senior Vice President of Southeast Asia Inside Sales and Startups at Amadeus, highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “This deal demonstrates the strength of Amadeus’ holistic travel technology offering beyond content, including digital retailing, automation, productivity, and back-office solutions.”

Established in 1985 and based in Kuala Lumpur, CIT has been a pioneer in business travel management, recently celebrating its 40th anniversary. The company provides airline reservations and ticketing services, offering competitive airfares from over 130 airlines worldwide. This partnership with Amadeus marks a significant step in CIT’s journey to future-proof and scale its business in the evolving travel industry.

The Malaysian property sector demonstrated resilience in the second quarter of 2025, with property transaction values increasing by 14% year-on-year (YoY), according to a recent report by UOB Kay Hian. Despite some companies like SP Setia, Sunway Bhd, and Lagenda falling short of expectations due to higher expenses and slower revenue recognition, the sector overall maintained a positive outlook, buoyed by strong industrial demand and significant activity in the Johor region.

The report highlighted that the property market’s transaction volume rose by 4% YoY, driven by a robust industrial segment and a notable rebound in Johor’s property transactions, which increased by 17% YoY. This growth was supported by resilient demand for industrial land and mass-market housing, alongside strong foreign direct investment inflows.

UOB Kay Hian maintained an “overweight” rating on the sector, citing a favourable interest rate environment and infrastructure developments as key drivers. The firm identified Sunway, Eco World, and Mah Sing as top picks, with Sunway’s upcoming healthcare IPO in the first quarter of 2026 expected to be particularly rewarding.

However, the sector faces challenges, including a 19% year-on-year increase in unsold completed units, although this is attributed to simultaneous project completions. The report remains optimistic, expecting the overhang to improve as the market absorbs new supply, aided by lower interest rates and demand driven by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

Looking forward, the sector’s prospects are bolstered by anticipated government focus on affordable housing in the upcoming Budget 2026, which could further stimulate demand.

Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its ranking of Asia’s top rural destinations, highlighting a growing trend towards highland tourism. Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands has emerged as the most sought-after rural destination, followed by Khao Yai in Thailand and Puncak in Indonesia. This ranking is based on accommodation searches made on Agoda between 15 February and 15 August 2025.

Rural destinations, particularly those in mountainous and hillside regions, are becoming increasingly popular among travellers seeking a break from urban life. These locations offer a slower pace, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in local culture and natural beauty. Agoda’s data ranks destinations across eight Asian markets with populations under 50,000, showcasing the appeal of these serene environments.

The list also includes Fujikawaguchiko in Japan, Kenting in Taiwan, Sapa in Vietnam, Munnar in India, and Pyeongchang-gun in South Korea, rounding out the top eight rural destinations. Each location offers unique attractions, from the lush tea plantations of Cameron Highlands to the hot springs near Mount Fuji.

Cameron Highlands is renowned for its cool climate and vibrant landscapes, making it a peaceful retreat for those looking to explore nature and local culture. Similarly, Khao Yai’s rich biodiversity and outdoor activities attract adventure seekers, whilst Puncak’s breathtaking mountain views provide a refreshing escape.

As highland tourism continues to rise, these destinations promise travellers a distinct and rejuvenating experience away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

GMA Garnet Group, part of the Jebsen & Jessen Group, is celebrating the first anniversary of its distribution hub in Port Klang, Malaysia. Since its opening in June 2024, the facility has become a pivotal gateway for the company’s operations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, handling 71% of GMA’s garnet trade in Asia. This strategic location has significantly reduced lead times by up to 21 days and expanded market access for high-demand industrial materials.

The Port Klang hub supports the burgeoning APAC construction market, supplying premium garnet products like ToughBlast™, which is designed for extreme surface preparation environments. The hub’s establishment is a response to the increasing demand for high-quality industrial materials across sectors such as marine, oil and gas, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

GMA has also strengthened its leadership in the region with the appointments of Shashi Kumar as Sales and Marketing Manager and Chris Manger as Head of Technical – APAC. These appointments aim to drive business growth and enhance customer relationships.

The success of the Port Klang hub underscores its importance as a strategic asset for GMA, facilitating faster delivery and broader market coverage. As the hub continues to grow, it is expected to further solidify GMA’s position in the APAC industrial garnet market, meeting the rising demand for high-quality materials in the region.

Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto) has reported a significant decline in its first-quarter financial results for the fiscal year 2026, with core net profit plummeting 87% year-on-year to MYR8.8m. The results, which fell short of expectations, were attributed to a 42% drop in revenue and a 48% decrease in vehicle sales, largely due to the absence of new launches and intensified competition in the mass premium segment.

Maybank IBG Research has revised its earnings forecast for BAuto, cutting the fiscal year 2026–2028 estimates by 64%, 46%, and 46%, respectively. The target price has been adjusted to MYR0.68, reflecting a shift in valuation methodology from price-to-earnings ratio (PER) to price-to-book (PB) ratio, which better aligns with BAuto’s strong balance sheet and cash-generative model. The company maintains a net cash position exceeding MYR180m, representing approximately 29% of its market capitalisation.

Despite the challenging quarter, BAuto declared a dividend of 0.75 sen per share, indicating a 105% payout ratio and offering a 5% yield. The company anticipates a potential recovery in margins from the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, supported by renewed principal support from Mazda starting in July 2025.

Looking ahead, BAuto faces a challenging market environment with increasing competition from Chinese brands affecting its Mazda and Kia sales. However, the company has seen an increase in order backlogs, notably for the Mazda CX60 and Mazda 3 models. Maybank IBG Research maintains a ‘Hold’ rating on BAuto, citing the company’s robust balance sheet and dividend capacity as key factors providing downside protection.
“`

Savills Singapore has announced the launch of CloutHaus Residences, a prestigious new development in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), offering 615 freehold flats. Developed by TA Global, the 66-storey tower is set to redefine luxury living in Malaysia’s capital with its world-class architecture and exclusive amenities. Scheduled for completion in Q2 2029, CloutHaus will also feature Malaysia’s first Paradox Hotel and 242 Paradox-branded residences.

Located just 50 metres from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, CloutHaus Residences promises unobstructed views and seamless connectivity to KLCC, Bukit Bintang, and major transport lines. The development offers flats ranging from 549 to 1,216 square feet, equipped with premium finishes and renowned brands such as Gaggenau and Bosch appliances.

Residents will enjoy a 50-metre infinity pool, a Sky Lounge and Bar, wellness and fitness studios, and leisure spaces including a golf simulator and karaoke lounge. The integration with the adjoining Paradox Hotel provides five-star services such as concierge, housekeeping, and in-residence dining.

Tiah Joo Kim, CEO of TA Global, stated, “CloutHaus is more than a development—it is a statement. Every detail has been crafted for those who expect the very best from the places they call home.” Ruben Koh, Senior Director at Savills Singapore, highlighted the development as a compelling long-term investment for Singapore buyers, citing its unrivalled connectivity and premium specifications.

CloutHaus incorporates energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, aligning with global best practices. Savills will host an exclusive preview of CloutHaus Residences in Singapore on 20 and 21 September 2025 at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court.
“`

Malaysia’s palm oil inventory saw a rise to 2.2 million tonnes in August, as production increased by 2.3% month-on-month to 1.86 million tonnes, according to a recent report by UOB Kay Hian Research. The report highlights that whilst production surged, exports remained relatively unchanged, dropping slightly by 0.3% to 1.32 million tonnes, contrary to market expectations of a 10-15% increase.

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board’s (MPOB) data for August indicates that the growth in production was primarily driven by East Malaysia, particularly Sarawak, which saw a 9.2% increase. Despite the rise in production, the report maintains a “Market Weight” stance on the sector, suggesting that the current crude palm oil (CPO) price levels are unlikely to see significant upward movement in the near term.

Hap Seng Plantations remains the top pick for UOB Kay Hian, with a “Buy” recommendation and a target price of $0.47 (RM2.20). The report notes that the company’s strong cash position and attractive dividend yields make it a favourable investment.

Looking ahead, the report anticipates that production growth may slow in September, with inventory levels expected to continue rising, albeit at a moderate pace. The potential for increased CPO prices is limited due to a loosening supply-demand balance, with the forecasted CPO price for 2025 remaining at $0.90 (RM4,200) per tonne.

The report also points to potential risks, including weaker-than-expected industry output and incremental demand from regional biofuel policy expansions, which could impact inventory levels and CPO prices.
“`