Economics terms

Reuters filepix for illustration purpose only - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 18): Malaysia is prepared to work closely with the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) to address the shortage of timber and timber products faced by the two countries. Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said this can be done by sourcing and value-adding from other countries, especially for PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) — certified timber products. In a statement on Wednesday (May 18), she said the sanctions on Russian timber products imports to the US have undoubtedly led to American importers looking for alternative sources of material, especially for plywood. “The current market sentiments on Malaysian timber in the US is positive, especially for Meranti and Keruing, with year-on-year demand for Meranti and Keruing sawn timber increasing by 9% and 467% respectively,” she said. Zuraida noted that the … [Read more...] about Malaysia is ready to work with US, UK on timber shortage, says Zuraida

MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim (The Edge filepix by Sam Fong) - A + A JOHOR BAHRU (May 18): The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project is expected to play a major role in boosting economic activities, potentially becoming as huge as the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor. Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the RTS Link project’s value cannot be measured only from the point of view of its construction, as it should also take into account how it would be able to attract investments in the long run. “Investments made by the government should provide returns in the short and long term, so we are letting the people around the world know that there are plenty of opportunities to invest in Johor Bahru due to this RTS project. “Our wish is that one day the Johor Bahru-Singapore corridor will be a rival or match to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong corridor…that’s what we … [Read more...] about RTS Link can be as big as Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor

- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 18): Apex Healthcare Bhd’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 (1QFY22) surged 32.76% to RM15.77 million, from RM11.88 million a year ago, underpinned by higher sales revenue achieved by its operating subsidiaries. Meanwhile, Apex Healthcare’s quarterly revenue rose 20.3% to RM215.92 million as compared to RM179.49 million in 1QFY21, driven by private sector demand for cough and cold products induced by the Omicron Covid-19 variant — which it said manifested largely as a community respiratory illness. The group said its improved net profit was also attributed to an improved contribution from its associate company Straits Apex Group Sdn Bhd of RM860,000, a 153.1% increase as compared to a year ago. “In January and February, production output was again dampened by workforce Covid-19 infections and exacerbated by persistent supply chain disruption for certain components and services. Production output has since improved,” it … [Read more...] about Apex Healthcare 1Q net profit up 33%, carried by higher sales revenue

KOTA KINABALU: The Election Commission (EC) should explain why the Bugaya state by-election is not being held despite being vacant for over 18 months. A local NGO, Development of Economic Affairs and Leadership Skills Sabah (DEALS) president Datuk Kalakau Untol said so many other elections had been held but the by-election for Bugaya state seat in Semporna had yet to be conducted. The seat was left vacant after the death of its Parti Warisan incumbent Datin Manis Muka Mohd Dara on Nov 17, 2020 - hardly two months after the snap Sabah state elections was held on Sept 20, 2020. "Why is it that after eighteen months of the Bugaya state assembly seat being declared vacant, the Election Commission has still failed to conduct a by-election? "This is a denial of the Bugaya people’s right to obtain the services of a state assemblyman and development and other facilities enjoyed by other constituencies," said Kalakau, who is Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) election director. Kalakau … [Read more...] about EC urged to explain delay behind Bugaya by-election despite 18-month vacancy

Maya Sree operating a drone Maya Sree, who goes by only one name, left her hometown in 2018, when she decided to live her life as a transwoman. Her parents did not accept her the way she was, or the jobs that she had taken up earlier to support herself. “But when my parents came to know that I was working for Dhaksha in Anna University campus, I received a call from my family, and they spoke to me, and told me that they were very proud of me. Personally, it’s not just a job for me but a new life,” Maya Sree, a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-certified drone pilot of the Chennai-based Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (DUMS) told Moneycontrol. Maya Sree, along with course mates Pragya, Sai and Rahmatullah, are the first from the transgender community in India to be appointed as drone pilots. They underwent intensive training before being absorbed by the company which operates drones with applications in surveillance, agriculture and defence. For them, this job at DUMS gives … [Read more...] about For four from trans community, drone pilot jobs give the wind beneath their wings

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw India's own 5G stack will be ready around September-October, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday as he urged nations to look actively at these indigenous telecom stacks for cost and quality advantage. Speaking at an event organised by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the minister said India's indigenous telecom stacks mark "big fundamental technological advancements". The Minister also noted that bridging the digital divide has become even more crucial in a world where technology is playing a key role in economic development, and added the Government is directing all its efforts to ensure inclusive growth. "5G stack is also very much in good, advanced stage…by somewhere in September-October India's own 5G stack will be ready," Vaishnaw said. He exhorted the international delegates — who were attending the high-level ministerial session organised by the telecom regulator — to look actively at Indian 4G … [Read more...] about India’s own 5G stack to be ready by Sept-Oct: Ashwini Vaishnaw

AFP Sydney, Australia   ● Wed, May 18, 2022 2022-05-18 13:28 0 02c2f042c5018a82e8094ec752599ba1 2 Asia and Pacific Australia,labor,election,Scott-Morrison,Anthony-Albanese,car-crash Free Anthony Albanese, the man narrowly favoured to become Australia's prime minister after May 21 elections, was rushed to hospital last year after a four-wheel-drive slammed into his car. "I thought that was it," he told a local radio station. At the time, his Labor Party trailed behind the conservative government in opinion polls, struggling to cut through during the pandemic. But the near-death experience changed his life, Albanese told media. In its wake, the opposition leader, 59, recovered on all fronts: overcoming serious injury, shrugging off rumblings of a party leadership coup and shedding 18 kilos (40 pounds) -- an image revamp that raised some eyebrows. His suits went from baggy to tailored, his bookish wire-framed glasses switched for "Mad Men"-style … [Read more...] about Australia PM contender overcame crash, party coup rumblings