As global air traffic demand exceeds pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels this year, airlines are turning their attention to fleet expansion and about 10,000 more planes will operate by 2034, according to a new report published by global aviation advisory firm Alton Aviation Consultancy.

10,000 more planes to take to  the sky in 10 years, says Alton

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organisation unveiled its latest projections early this month, forecasting significant growth for the global semiconductor market in 2024 and 2025.

Global Semiconductor Market poised to sustain solid growth in 2025

Malaysia’s workforce is evolving rapidly, thanks to technology and globalisation. Key sectors like technology, healthcare and financial services are driving demand for specialised skills such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and data analytics.

Adapting to tech and talent demands

In October, the government announced incentives to jump-start the special economic zone in Forest City. One particular announcement that caught attention was the zero tax rate for family offices, a term rarely heard of in Malaysia as the regulatory framework for such firms did not exist. Essentially, family offices handle investment and wealth management for wealthy families.

Rise of the family office

Even as birth rates fell further in South Korea and Singapore, where less than one baby is born to every woman of reproductive age, Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) surprisingly inched higher to 1.7 in 2023 from a record low of 1.6 in 2022.

Demographic squeeze : Declining birth rates and the rising burden of eldercare

Ideas, initiatives and innovation form the basis of any effort to actualise goals and targets. Ideally, sustainability is embedded into the business case of every investment decision made by the company.

10 steps to frame your business case

While Malaysia is consolidating returns on previous infrastructure investments, leveraging its established expertise in electronics, semiconductors and data centres, political shifts and the gradual outflow of talent could impact future economic progress, according to the 9th edition of e-Conomy SEA by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co.

A survey of Malaysia’s digital economy

Public-listed companies (PLCs) showed progress in the adoption of the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCGG), according to the Securities Commission Malaysia’s Corporate Governance Monitor (CG Monitor) 2024, which was published last Monday. However, the report highlighted three critical areas in need of improvement. The CG Monitor pointed to (i) the need to refresh board composition; (ii) enhancing shareholder participation through physical or hybrid annual general meetings (AGMs); and  (iii) a deeper integration of sustainability governance practices.

SC CG Monitor: 3 critical areas of improvement needed for PLCs

As workplace priorities evolve, three-quarters of talent in Malaysia believe generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) will cause some disruption to their jobs and roles in the next five years. The new Jobstreet by SEEK’s “Decoding Global Talent Report 2024: GenAI Edition” found that the majority of local talent are already experimenting with or regularly using Gen AI in both their professional and personal lives, positioning the country for transformative AI adoption across industries.

Gen AI use growing at home and in the workplace

Malaysia remained the fifth most connected country in Asean in the first half of 2024 (1H2024), after Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, according to the Malaysian Aviation Commission’s (Mavcom) latest Air Connectivity Index (ACI).

Malaysia the fifth most connected country in Asean in 1H

The fast acceleration of the electric vehicle (EV) market over the last few years has hit a speed  bump as demand for the vehicles  has noticeably declined recently.

Global EV demand plateaus

Healthcare organisations are seeing a gradual increase in ransomware attacks. This year, 67% of organisations were attacked compared with the reported 60% in 2023, says cybersecurity company Sophos in its fifth annual The State of Ransomware in Healthcare 2024 study on the impact and journey organisations face in a ransomware attack, from the root cause and financial impact to recovery time.

The state of ransomware in healthcare 2024

In April, sovereign fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd announced RM1 billion in ‘national fund-of-funds’ initiatives at the KL20 Summit to support local venture capital funds and attract international managers. With the increased interest from both domestic and foreign investors in Malaysia’s start-up ecosystem, a crucial question arises: Are there enough investment- or IPO-ready private companies in the country?

Are Malaysian private companies investment-ready?

Scams remain prevalent in Malaysia, with 74% of Malaysians encountering them at least once a month, according to a report conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) of scam trends affecting the country.

Scams a growing problem in Malaysia

(Dec 22): Emerging markets (EM)-focused investors have had little to celebrate over the past year. Or for that matter, over the past decade. Now the prospect of Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars has some considering abandoning them altogether.

For emerging markets, ‘better luck next year’ is hard to believe

SEREMBAN (Dec 22): Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has assured that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), as component parties, will be fully committed to the Unity Government until the next election.

Umno and BN will remain a part of Unity Govt for GE16 — Ahmad Zahid

(Dec 22): Singapore Post Ltd (SingPost) fired its chief executive officer and several other senior leaders following allegations related to its international e-commerce logistics parcels business.

SingPost fires CEO, execs after whistleblowing report

BENGALURU (Dec 22): Japan's competition watchdog is expected to find Google guilty of violating the country's antitrust law, Nikkei Asia reported on Sunday, citing sources.

Japan's antitrust watchdog expected to find Google guilty of violating country's law in search case, Nikkei reports

BENGALURU (Dec 22): Qatar will stop shipping gas to the EU if member states strictly enforce a new law cracking down on forced labour and environmental damage, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times (FT) in an interview published on Sunday.

Qatar vows to stop EU gas sales if fined under due diligence law, FT reports

(Dec 22): One of China’s leading developers is now on authorities’ radar for default risk. A major Hong Kong builder is asking lenders to extend loans. Another industry peer is selling an iconic but largely empty mall in Beijing.

China property flare-ups resurface as crisis enters fifth year

(Dec 22): Indonesia claimed victory after Apple Inc offered to increase its investment in the country to US$1 billion (RM4.50 billion) to get President Prabowo Subianto’s government to lift a ban on the sale of iPhone 16s. The win may be short-lived.

Apple’s US$1b investment may be fleeting win for Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the Madani government has implemented strategic initiatives throughout 2024, to drive long-term prosperity for the people and the nation.

2024 economic highlights: Madani government drives long-term prosperity — Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): The Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), owned by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the Asia CEO Community.

Qube Integrated Malaysia inks MOU with Asia CEO Community, unveils Mitec card

BEIJING (Dec 22): China's Nio on Sunday said it would launch its new Firefly electric-vehicle (EV) brand in Europe early in the first half of 2025 (1H2025), betting that it would help the company overcome European Union (EU) tariffs.

China’s Nio says new Firefly EV to go on sale in Europe in 1H2025

(Dec 22):&nbsp;One of China’s leading developers is now on authorities’ radar for default risk. A major Hong Kong builder is asking lenders to extend loans. Another industry peer is selling an iconic but largely empty mall in Beijing.

(Dec 22):&nbsp;Indonesia claimed victory after Apple Inc offered to increase its investment in the country to US$1 billion (RM4.50 billion) to get President Prabowo Subianto’s government to lift a ban on the sale of iPhone 16s. The win may be short-lived.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the Madani&nbsp;government has implemented strategic initiatives throughout 2024, to drive long-term prosperity for the people and the nation.

(Dec 22):&nbsp;Singapore Post Ltd (SingPost)&nbsp;fired its chief executive officer and several other senior leaders following allegations related to its international e-commerce logistics parcels business.&nbsp;

(Dec 22): Cocoa’s rally has soared past all major commodities in 2024, and there’s little sign the tight supply and fragile trading landscape that prompted its near-vertical trajectory are in for a fast fix.

Cocoa caps 2024 as biggest commodity winner. It’s not over yet

BEIJING (Dec 22): China's Nio on Sunday said it would launch its new Firefly electric-vehicle (EV) brand in Europe early in the first half of 2025 (1H2025), betting that it would help the company overcome European Union (EU) tariffs.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): The Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec), owned by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Qube Integrated Malaysia Sdn Bhd and the Asia CEO Community.

(Dec 22):&nbsp;Emerging markets (EM)-focused investors have had little to celebrate over the past year. Or for that matter, over the past decade. Now the prospect of Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade wars has some considering abandoning them altogether.

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 22): The&nbsp;Early Schooling Aid (BAP) will extended to Form 6 students starting from the 2025/2026 schooling session, with each receiving RM150, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

Early schooling aid extended to Form 6 students

SEREMBAN (Dec 22): Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has assured that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), as component parties, will be fully committed to the Unity Government until the next election.

(Dec 22):&nbsp;The European Central Bank (ECB) will go on lowering borrowing costs in 2025, according to Governing Council member Boris Vujcic.

ECB rate cuts will continue next year, Vujcic tells Croatian state broadcaster

BENGALURU (Dec 22): Qatar will stop shipping gas to the EU if member states strictly enforce a new law cracking down on forced labour and environmental damage, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times&nbsp;(FT) in an interview published on Sunday.

BENGALURU (Dec 22): Japan's competition watchdog is expected to find Google guilty of violating the country's antitrust law, Nikkei Asia reported on Sunday, citing sources.

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