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.

AhaPay, a fintech company backed by Fingular, has announced a strategic partnership with Malaysia-based Paydibs to introduce Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions nationwide. This collaboration seeks to enhance payment flexibility and accessibility for merchants and consumers, marking a significant step in AhaPay’s regional expansion strategy.

Paydibs, operating under Malaysia’s Financial Services Act 2013, is renowned for its secure and reliable payment solutions, catering to local businesses with a variety of payment channels, including digital wallets. The partnership will see AhaPay offering flexible 4 and 7 instalment plans, providing unprecedented affordability and payment options for eligible merchants and users.

The integration will be facilitated by the Paydibs NEO all-in-one terminal, allowing merchants to activate AhaPay BNPL alongside QR and card payments. The onboarding process is efficient, taking approximately four to five working days from application to implementation. Once onboarded, merchants gain access to the broader Paydibs ecosystem, including online payment gateways and future financing solutions.

Harold Chen, CEO of AhaPay, highlighted the partnership’s focus on sustainability and inclusive growth, stating it empowers underserved communities by fostering responsible consumer financing practices. Tee Kean Kang, Chief Commercial Officer of Paydibs, emphasised the collaboration’s role in expanding financial access to underbanked segments and building inclusive financial solutions for Malaysian merchants.

This partnership not only aims to improve sales performance and conversion rates for merchants but also enhances financial well-being for consumers by distributing costs responsibly over time.

Singapore’s DBS has surpassed PETRONAS to become the most valuable brand in the ASEAN region, according to the Brand Finance ASEAN 500 2025 report. The bank’s brand value soared by 56% to reach US$17.2b, marking a significant milestone in the regional brand landscape.

Brand Finance, a leading brand valuation consultancy, highlighted that PETRONAS, despite falling to second place, maintains a strong AAA- rating and a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 83.7 out of 100. Meanwhile, Thailand’s PTT climbed to third place with an 11% increase in brand value, now standing at US$9.2 billion.

The report also noted Malaysia Airlines as the fastest-growing brand in the ASEAN region, with its brand value tripling to US$607m. Additionally, Vinpearl from Vietnam emerged as the strongest brand in the region, boasting a BSI of 97.5 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating.

These developments underscore the dynamic shifts within the ASEAN brand landscape, with DBS’s rise reflecting its robust market strategies and regional influence. As the region continues to evolve, these brands are setting benchmarks for growth and strength in their respective sectors.

The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) have unveiled the 2025 Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI) report, which evaluates the Islamic finance industry’s progress across 140 countries. The report forecasts that global Islamic finance assets will soar to US$9.7 trillion by 2029, growing at an annual rate of 10%.

Malaysia has retained its top position in the global rankings, followed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, thanks to their strong governance and policy innovation. Other countries in the top rankings include Indonesia, Pakistan, and Kuwait. Mustafa Adil, Head of Islamic Finance at LSEG, highlighted the industry’s future, stating, “The industry will be shaped by cross-border connectivity, regulatory advancements, and strategic national initiatives.”

The report also notes the resilience of the sukuk market, which surpassed US$1t in outstanding value in 2024. Total global sukuk issuance increased by 11% year-on-year, reaching US$254.3b. ESG sukuk, which integrates sustainability into Islamic finance, has also grown significantly, with US$15.4b in new issuances.

Islamic banking remains dominant, accounting for 72% of total industry assets and expanding to 84 markets globally. The largest markets—Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia—represent US$4.3t of global Islamic finance assets. Khalid Khalafalla, Acting CEO of ICD, remarked, “The IFDI continues to serve as a vital benchmark for policymakers and market participants.”

The IFDI assesses Islamic finance development across five areas: Financial Performance, Governance, Sustainability, Awareness, and Knowledge, providing a comprehensive view of the industry’s landscape.