<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is poised to enhance the connectivity and logistics efficiency of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>In a statement dated July 28, ECER chief operating officer Datuk Ragu Sampasivam said the ECRL will significantly enhance ECER’s connectivity and logistics efficiency, making it an ideal destination for businesses looking to expand their reach. ECER also offers cost effective-land options.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Ragu was speaking about the transformative potential of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) at the Selangor Investment &amp; Industrial Park Expo (SPARK 2024) recently.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>SPARK 2024 featured a key discussion on ‘Seamless Connectivity: ECRL’s Role in Optimizing East and West Coast Port Logistics’.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The event brought together key stakeholders from various sectors, including industrial park developers, investment agencies, and service providers.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>This provided a unique opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, enabling participants to forge strategic partnerships that can enhance ECER's economic growth and attractiveness to investors, particularly through strengthened bilateral ties with Selangor.</p></div>


The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is poised to enhance the connectivity and logistics efficiency of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).

ECRL poised to enhance ECER’s connectivity and logistics efficiency, says COO

France’s new premier Francois Bayrou vowed to sharply narrow the nation’s deficit to close to 5% of GDP, a plan that threatens a repeat of the stand-off which toppled the last government.

French premier seeking budget cuts that toppled the previous cabinet

Salesforce Inc says it’s taking multiple large customers from former partner Veeva Systems Inc in a mounting rivalry to sell software to the pharmaceutical industry.

Salesforce fights with Veeva by snagging drug customers

Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta's instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.

Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, state media says

Social media platform TikTok recorded 2,606 requests from the Malaysian government to remove or restrict content on its platform in 1H2024, the highest among all governments in the period, according to its latest report on government removal requests.

Malaysia tops TikTok content, account removal requests in 1H2024 among govts

Wall Street's main indexes rose on Tuesday in a truncated trading session before Christmas, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq up for the third consecutive day, helped by gains in a handful of megacap and growth stocks.

Wall Street rises in quiet Christmas Eve trading session

American Airlines Group Inc said a technical vendor glitch was the cause of a brief groundstop on all US flights on Christmas Eve, one of the busiest days of the holiday travel season.

American Air says Christmas Eve delays caused by tech glitch

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24): Here is a brief recap of the business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:

Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd's (KL:BHIC) shareholders have approved the disposal of the fabrication and engineering company’s 51% equity stake i...

BHIC, Pharmaniaga, MMAG, Prolintas, Nestcon, Datasonic, PUC, KKB Engineering, Parlo 

Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) on Tuesday affirmed Malaysia's public information sovereign rating at AAA with a "stable" outlook.

However, MARC flagged challenges from a high fiscal deficit and debt levels, as well as the tax revenue-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 12.6% in 2023, which remains below the peer average despite recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

MARC flags Malaysia's debt position as it keeps AAA, stable rating

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) has been named Malaysia’s “Bank of the Year” by London-based publication The Banker for the second consecutive year.

OCBC Bank named top Malaysian bank for second year running

European natural gas prices fluctuated above €45 (RM210.32) a megawatt-hour amid persistent supply concerns, with just a week left until a key transit deal between Russia and Ukraine expires.

European gas swings with one week left before key transit deal expires

<p>The government has removed the 85% demand capacity cap for non-domestic users under its self-consumption (SelCo) programme, and to allow the installation of solar panels on the ground and over bodies of water.</p>


Quota abolished for solar panel installation under self-consumption mechanism — energy ministry

<p>FBM KLCI’s upside in 2025 could be limited by a slowdown in foreign inflow and the strengthening US dollar, Phillip Capital warned and recommended that investors look at small- to mid-cap stocks.</p>


Phillip Capital says KLCI has limited upside in 2025, recommends small-mid cap stocks

<p>KKB Engineering Bhd (KL:KKB) has initiated adjudication proceedings under the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act against a contractor over outstanding claims amounting to RM10.1 million.</p>


KKB Engineering sues glove factory project contractor over unpaid claims

<p>IN a bid to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy (RE) and ahead of the upcoming fifth large-scale solar (LSS5) programme, the government has opened up the installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to third parties, under concession agreements, according to documents sighted by ...

BESS programme: A game changer for the Malaysian energy landscape?

<p>Prolintas Infra Business Trust (KL:PLINTAS) said it has settled its dispute with KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Bhd (Latar) over a cost-sharing agreement, for an undisclosed amount.</p>


Prolintas settles cost-sharing agreement dispute with Latar for undisclosed sum

<p>Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (KL:BHIC) shareholders have given the nod for the fabrication and engineering company to dispose of its 51% equity stake in Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn Bhd (CAD) to German defence firm Rheinmetall AG for RM54 million.</p>


BHIC shareholders approve RM54m sale of 51% stake in LCS subcontractor

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24): Here is a brief recap of the business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:</p>

<p><b>Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd</b>'s (KL:BHIC) shareholders have approved the disposal of the fabrication and engineering company’s 51% equity stake i...

<p>MMAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MMAG), which is involved in the sales of digital devices and logistic services, said on Tuesday it has acquired a Boeing B737-400SF aircraft from Japan-based JPA No 161 Co Ltd for US$4.61 million (RM20.76 million) cash.</p>


MMAG buys aircraft for RM20 mil to expand air cargo capacity

<p>OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) has been named Malaysia’s “Bank of the Year” by London-based publication <i>The Banker</i> for the second consecutive year.</p>


<p>Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DSONIC) said Azlan Abdul Kadir’s status as a substantial shareholder of the company has ceased following a 20 million share disposal.</p>


Azlan Abdul Kadir ceases to be Datasonic's substantial shareholder

<p>Malaysia’s economy sustained strong growth in the first three quarters of 2024 (9M2024), expanding by 5.2% from January to September, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia.</p>


Malaysia's economy up 5.2% in 9M2024, official data show

<p>The proposed new international airport in Kuching is set to enhance Sarawak’s appeal, providing a crucial X factor to attract businesses, investors and visitors.</p>


Abang Johari sees new Sarawak airport driving state’s economic growth

<p>East Navigators Capital Ltd is no longer a substantial shareholder in Pharmaniaga Bhd (KL:PHARMA) after disposing of a 1.76% stake in the PN17-status pharmaceutical firm for RM5.32 million.</p>


East Navigators' direct stake in Pharmaniaga falls below 5% after selling shares at discount

<p>JAPANESE financial group Nomura, which recently commemorated its 50th year of operations in Malaysia, sees strong opportunities to expand its business here amid a positive outlook on the country.</p>

<p>The group has three operating entities in Malaysia, namely Nomura Asset Management Malaysia...

Nomura sees more opportunities in Malaysia amid positive outlook  

<p>DBS Group Holdings Ltd’s shares are set to close out their best year since 2009, with some analysts predicting the rally could extend, driven by the bank’s burgeoning wealth management business.</p>


DBS shares’ 43% rally seen having more legs as wealth fees rise

<p>Nestcon Bhd’s (KL:NESTCON) wholly owned subsidiary&nbsp;Nestcon Infra Sdn&nbsp;Bhd is set&nbsp;to develop a large-scale solar photovoltaic plant (LSSPV) with 14.99 megawatts of alternating current (MWac) in&nbsp;Bongawan, Kimanis, Sabah.</p>


Nestcon wins bids to develop 18.99 MWac LSS power plant projects in Sabah

<p>Malaysia recorded 5.74 million graduates in 2023, reflecting a 4.2% increase, with over two-thirds employed in skilled occupations, according to the Graduates Statistics 2023 report released on Tuesday.</p>


Number of Malaysian graduates up 4.2% to 5.74 mil last year — official data

<p>Major banks and business groups sued the Federal Reserve on Tuesday, alleging the US central bank's annual "stress tests" of Wall Street firms violate the law.</p>


Big banks, business groups sue US Fed over annual stress tests 

<p>A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Tuesday.</p>
