The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) has submitted two proposals to the Ministry of Finance to be considered for inclusion in Budget 2025, namely a revision of the windfall profit levy (WPL) on palm oil and additional allocations for oil palm replanting programmes.

Budget 2025: Plantation ministry proposing initiatives to strengthen palm oil industry

SINGAPORE (Feb 24): Singapore is raising the top marginal tax rate to 22 percent from 20 percent, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said in his budget speech on Monday, the first such increase in decades.

Taking effect from 2017, the rate applies to those with a taxable income of ...

Singapore still has low taxes, even when it's charging the rich more

SINGAPORE (Feb 24): Singapore's budget this year focuses more on long-term measures to boost "the supply-side capacity of the economy" and lacks short-term measures to drive consumption, according to Credit Suisse.

"There were no significant cash handouts given out in this Budget," Cred...

Private consumption in Singapore to remain sluggish, says Credit Suisse  

SINGAPORE (Feb 24): This year's Singapore budget will have a limited impact on the local stock market, although potential beneficiaries could include Raffles Medical Group and infrastructure firms Yongnam Holdings and Kori Holdings as the government ramps up infrastructure spending, according to ...

Singapore budget may benefit Raffles Medical, Yongnam, says UOB Kay Hian

SINGAPORE (Feb 23): Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam in his 2015 budget statement announced three measures that will directly impact real estate investment trusts or REITs.

Stamp duty remission on the transfer of a Singapore immovable property to a REIT and on the transfer o...

Stamp duty removal not expected to have big impact on REIT market

SINGAPORE (Feb 23): Singapore has unveiled a budget that contains higher retirement benefits, more infrastructure spending and measures to help local companies be more productive.

All in, government spending is expected to amount to between 19% and 19.5% of GDP over the next five years ...

Singapore unveils budget aimed at companies, older workers

Singapore expects $6.7 billion budget deficit for FY2015.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
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Singapore expects $6.7 billion budget deficit for FY2015

Personal income tax rate for top earners to rise to 22% from 20%.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
...

Personal income tax rate for top earners to rise to 22% from 20%

Seniors in low income households to get quarterly payouts of $300 to $750.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
...

Seniors in low income households to get quarterly payouts of $300 to $750

1% extra CPF interest for first $30,000 for members aged 55 and above 

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
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1% extra CPF interest for first $30,000 for members aged 55 and above 

Government to raise CPF salary ceiling from $5,000 to $6,000.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
...

Government to raise CPF salary ceiling from $5,000 to $6,000

CPF contribution rates for workers aged 50 to 55 to rise 2 percentage points.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
...

CPF contribution rates for workers aged 50 to 55 to rise 2 percentage points 

Stamp duty concessions for REITs to lapse after March 31.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
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Stamp duty concessions for REITs to lapse after March 31

Singapore to defer levy increases for S-Pass and Work Permit holders in every sector.

(MORE TO FOLLOW)
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Singapore to defer levy increases for S-Pass and Work Permit holders in every sector

Taiwan’s interest-rate swaps are nearing record highs on expectations the island’s monetary authority may tighten cash levels in the banking system by once again raising the reserve ratio for banks.

Taiwan’s one-year interest rate swaps are just five basis points (bps) away from an all-time high.

Taiwan swaps near record highs on tighter liquidity bets

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) is on track to achieve its target of RM2.5 billion in investments from green investment leads at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2024.

Mida on track to achieve goal of RM2.5b green investments at IGEM 2024

Gold topped US$2,700 an ounce for the first time, as concerns over escalating conflicts in the Middle East saw investors flock to safety.

Spot gold extends its record-breaking run to top US$2,700

Shares of Heitech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) were suspended with effect from 9am to 5pm on Friday, pending an announcement relating to a material contract.

Heitech Padu shares suspended for material contract announcement

(Oct 18): Thailand’s 38-year-old prime minister is working on a plan to alleviate the economic drag from a household debt bill topping US$500 billion (RM2.15 trillion) — a figure that has ballooned since her father first took office in 2001.

A US$500b pile of household debt weighs on new Thai leader

China’s September home prices fell at almost the same pace as the previous month, despite the country’s efforts to stabilise the real estate sector. 

New-home prices in 70 cities, excluding state-subsidised housing, dropped 0.71% from August, in line with a 0.73% decline a month earlier, National Bureau of Statistics figures showed on Friday.

China home price slump drags on despite revival efforts

(Oct 18): In the countdown to the weekend inauguration of Indonesia’s new president, Jakarta’s political elite has been huddled at the incoming leader’s private ranch outside the capital, deep in the last-minute haggling that will determine the shape of the country’s government for the next five years.

Indonesia’s fixer-in-chief bows out as Prabowo takes the helm

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, holds a positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia for 2025, supported by an ongoing economic recovery that fuels stable real consumer spending growth, according to its note on Friday.

The research firm said easing inflationary pressures and a stable labour market will sustain consistent consumer spending.

Positive 2025 consumer spending outlook for Malaysia, but high household debt poses risk — BMI

(Oct 18): China’s largest state-owned lenders have cut their deposit rates on Friday, their second reduction this year as they rushed to salvage record low margins amid weakened profitability.

Major banks including Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Ba...

China’s mega banks trim deposit rates as stimulus hits profits

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Oct 18): China's central bank and financial regulators have held meetings with key financial institutions, urging them to swiftly implement expansive policies to support the economy and the capital markets.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement on its w...

China urges swift implementation of expansive financial policies

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday.

Genting Malaysia, Varia, Salcon, SC Estate Builder, AME Reit, AME Elite, Ancom Nylex, MAHB, HPP Holdings, LKL, Bintai Kinden 

The National Budget is set to be tabled on Friday. Regardless of what will be announced, Malaysian corporates must continue to focus on several areas, apart from wave two of e-invoicing.

Focusing on tax areas that matter most

PPG Industries&nbsp;will lay off 1,800 employees in the US and Europe and close various facilities as part of a cost-reduction programme, the paints and coatings maker said on Thursday.

PPG to lay off 1,800 employees in US, Europe in cost-cut push

Meta is laying off employees across units including Instagram, WhatsApp and Reality Labs, the Verge reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Meta lays off employees at WhatsApp and Instagram — report

Shares of Heitech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) were suspended with effect from 9am to 5pm on Friday, pending an announcement relating to a material contract.

(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;The world’s biggest bond market got hit as a solid retail sales report had traders trimming their bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.

Wall Street dials back Fed-cut bets on solid data

(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;The yen fell below the psychological mark of 150 per dollar, after robust US economic data led traders to dial back bets on Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, boosting the greenback.&nbsp;

Yen falls to key 150 level after solid US retail, labour data

(Oct 18):&nbsp;US government bonds slumped after strong September retail-sales figures fanned doubts over how quickly the Federal Reserve will continue to lower interest rates.

The selloff pushed Treasury yields higher by as much as seven to 10 basis points. Initially, short maturities ...

Treasury yields climb as strong data sow doubt on Fed rate cuts

(Oct 18):&nbsp;Thailand’s 38-year-old prime minister is working on a plan to alleviate the economic drag from a household debt bill topping US$500 billion (RM2.15 trillion) — a figure that has ballooned since her father first took office in 2001.

BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, holds a positive outlook for consumer spending in Malaysia for 2025, supported by an ongoing economic recovery that fuels stable real consumer spending growth, according to its note on Friday.

The research firm said easing inflationary pressures and a stable labour market will sustain consistent consumer spending.&nbsp;

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Oct 17): Hamas leader&nbsp;Yahya&nbsp;Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct&nbsp;7, 2023&nbsp;attack that triggered the Gaza war, has been killed by Israeli forces in the Palestinian enclave, Israel said on Thursday.

Hamas leader Sinwar killed by Israeli troops in Gaza, Netanyahu says war will go on

Deere &amp; Co is laying off an additional nearly 300 people in Iowa and Illinois as demand for farm equipment slows from the peak production of recent years.

Deere announces more layoffs in Iowa, Illinois during farm slump

(Oct 18):&nbsp;In the countdown to the weekend inauguration of Indonesia’s new president, Jakarta’s political elite has been huddled at the incoming leader’s private ranch outside the capital, deep in the last-minute haggling that will determine the shape of the country’s government for the next five years.

(Oct 18): China’s largest state-owned lenders have cut their deposit rates on Friday, their second reduction this year as they rushed to salvage record low margins amid weakened profitability.

Major banks including Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China Ltd. and China Construction Ba...

(Oct&nbsp;18) :&nbsp;Traders are adding to bets that the European Central Bank (ECB) will need a bumper interest-rate cut in December, after policymakers&nbsp;flagged&nbsp;risks to growth as they lowered borrowing costs on Thursday.

Traders see 20% chance of half-point ECB rate cut in December

(Oct 18):&nbsp;The economic policies being proposed by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would fuel inflation and harm businesses, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to warn in a speech, according to a report in the New York Times on Thursday.

Yellen's crit...

Yellen to warn sweeping tariffs would ignite inflation, NYT reports

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Oct 18): China's central bank and financial regulators have held meetings with key financial institutions, urging them to swiftly implement expansive policies to support the economy and the capital markets.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement on its w...

China’s September home prices fell at almost the same pace as the previous month, despite the country’s efforts to stabilise the real estate sector.&nbsp;

New-home prices in 70 cities, excluding state-subsidised housing, dropped 0.71% from August, in line with a 0.73% decline a month earlier, National Bureau of Statistics figures showed on Friday.

Gold topped US$2,700 an ounce for the first time, as concerns over escalating conflicts in the Middle East saw investors flock to safety.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 18): The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) is on track to achieve its target of RM2.5 billion in investments from green investment leads at the International Greentech &amp; Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2024.

Budget 2015

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Budget 2015

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