DRB-Hicom income increased

INCOME DRB-Hicom Bhd's first financial quarter ended June 30, 2011 increased to RM1.58 billion from RM1.55 billion recorded in the same quarter the previous year.
"Better revenue performance was supported by higher revenue contribution from services, and real estate, construction and assets," said group managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil.

However, the group's operating profit fell slightly to RM146.31 million from RM152.26 million in the same quarter the previous year. Mohd Khamil explains lower profits was caused by supply disruptions due to natural disasters components in Japan in March. However, he is confident effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan did not affect the performance of the group in

Gold prices remain high

PRICE gold continues to surge to the highest in the history of the U.S. $ 1,888.90 per ounce, or about RM180 1 gram yesterday due to lingering worries over the possibility of the United States (U.S.) recorded recession
doubled, while the debt crisis in Europe deepened.
Uncertain market conditions when this has encouraged investors choose to invest in precious metals because they are among the best hedge investments during the economic crisis. Affin Investment Bank head of research, Dr Nazri Khan, said he expects the gold price will hit U.S. $ 1.900 per ounce in the near term due to continued U.S. dollar weakness and fears of recession in the U.S. again.

He said he also saw the price of gold has the potential to reach U.S. $ 2000 per ounce by the end of this year due to demand for precious metals as investors prefer to invest in gold when the market volatility of the world. "The drop in ratings due to U.S. to promote the U.S. bond

Panasonic's sales target RM2b

PANASONIC Malaysia Sdn Bhd is looking at sales of RM2 billion through its extensive energy business segment by March next year, thereby contributing 50 percent of the company's overall sales in the country.
Managing Director, Jeff Lee, said the target was driven continuous investment in environmentally friendly products and services supported Panasonic's brand strength will increase the confidence of consumers and distributors.
He said the commpany is now focusing on a comprehensive energy solution business in a new direction in line with the target of becoming the number one green innovation in the electronics industry by 2018. "We are confident of achieving the target despite the many challenges including the shortage caused by the earthquake in Japan March and volatile global economic situation, "he said after launching the Panasonic ECONATION declaration in Kuala Lumpur

Philippine company to buy equity Esso

Speculation about who will take over the company's 65 percent equity stake in ESSO Malaysia Bhd from ExxonMobil International Holdings Inc (EMIH) answered when the Philippine conglomerate, San Miguel Corp. emerged as the buyer.
Company based in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila on Tuesday to complete the sale purchase agreement (SPA) with EMIH to acquire a stake at U.S. $ 206,020 million (RM614.25 million), or RM3.50 per share.
Price was 29 percent lower than current prices which Esso Malaysia in the final session of trading on Bursa Malaysia yesterday, the shares jumped 14.1 percent, or 61 cents to close at RM4.95 per share. Based on current share price of Esso Malaysia, 65 per cent stake sale should be at a price of about RM760 million. However, to understand the main factors EMIH release the 65 percent equity stake to San Miguel at lower prices following the Philippine company's willingness to make additional investments in Malaysia Esso oil refinery facility in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan at the time future. The facility now produces a variety of products

Hong Leong to sell a banking license

HONG Leong Bank Bhd, which took over the assets and liabilities of EON Capital Bhd (EONCap) involving transactions worth RM5.06 billion in May, now has the option of either selling the investment bank's license MIMB Investment Bank Bhd, a subsidiary EONCap the Hong Leong Investment Bank or other parties.
The sale is necessary to meet the banking requirements in the country that only allows for individual institutions have an investment banking license. Managing Director and Chief Executive of the group, Yvonne Chia said the company currently has two investment banks following the acquisition of the license is EONCap.
"Currently we have the option to sell it to Hong Leong Investment. At the same time we also have several parties interested in buying them. However I can not comment further on this, "he said

DHL is confident the profit gained in Asia

DHL Global Forwarding confident that combines its ground transport services network could boost the company's business growth in Asia, particularly among small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs).
Managing Director, Dennis van der Meijs, said the service linking Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, known as ASIACONNECT DHL, DHL and DHL ASIANET ASIALINE was going to give space to the customer using ground shipping services are well-equipped, flexible and safe.
He said, Asia is projected to become a major contributor to group earnings was due to the growing market potential compared to other markets. "Last year, 60 percent from about 3 to 4 billion euros of income attributed to the Asian region and we expect a more significant increase for the financial year after This, "he told reporters after launching the network consolidation in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Dennis said, with predictions that the SME market in Asia will

Asian shares plunge

MARKETS Asian stocks plunged yesterday in line with the plunge in the United States (U.S.) and Europe as the world was now taking on another financial crisis. Investors have lost confidence in the more depressed by the statistics of a weakening U.S. economy and a warning from the head of the European Commission that the debt crisis euro zone is likely to spread to other countries.

"It is the worst weekend of the transaction," said IG Markets analyst Ben Potter in Sydney, adding that all sectors are expected to face a shot.
Tokyo fell 3.72 percent or 359.30 points to close at 9,299.88, while Hong Kong plummeted 4.29 percent or 938.60 points to end at 20,946.14. Sydney fell four per cent or 171.1 points to 4,105.4 and Seoul fell 3.70 percent or 74.73 points to 1,943.74. Sydney loss of 8.72 percent in four days ago, while Seoul fell by approximately 10.5 per cent in the same period. Taipei recorded the largest fall when plunged 5:58 per cent or 464.14 points to close at 7,853.13. Shanghai down 2.15 per cent or 57.62 points to 2,626.42, while Mumbai shed 3.10 percent in afternoon trading. Concerns hit Asia from Europe and the U.S., which saw the Dow Jones

TM, Google help SMEs

TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) strategic partnerships with providers of international search engine Google Inc. to offer online marketing medium for operators of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The first such joint venture between TM and the most popular search engine global, see TM offers a platform for advertising through Google searches, ie Google Adwords, to SME customers in Malaysia.

Google Adwords is a service that enables companies to publish the ads quickly and easily on the Google website and website partners. Executive Vice President SME Division TM, Azizi A Hadi, said the joint venture, TM will offer Google AdWords marketing coupons to customers PKSnya in Malaysia that can be used to launch online marketing campaigns. "Initially, coupons valued at between RM150 and RM500 will be given free to 50,000 SME customers and the Office In A Box TM

Project contact Johor, Jakarta

Malaysian`s ICT COMPANIES, Symphonet Sdn Bhd and Indonesia's telecommunication company, PT Indonesian Internet Interconnection (3i) to build fiber optic telecommunications cable linking the seabed between the two countries over 1.200 kilometers (km).
The two companies formed a consortium to implement the project called Singapore-Jakarta Cable System (JJCS).

Symphonet Chief Executive, Datuk Baharum Salleh, said telecommunications cable will be built as a bridge between Singapore and Jakarta with several other connections to Singapore, Batam, Jambi, Bangka Island and India. He said when completed by the fourth quarter of next year, cable is capable of carrying more than 20 terabit (Tbps) per second to accommodate the increasing use of Internet, data transfer, video and voice traffic between the two countries and other connections in its path. "Development of the cable directly to the Johor Iskandar Malaysia will enhance the 'Southern Hub' at the same time provide an alternative provider of telecommunications services in Indonesia channel traffic out of them without using the existing routes. "We will benefit from the growth potential of large data, voice traffic and broadband

PR penetrating the third world markets

Several of Indonesia intends to partner with Malaysian companies to penetrate third country markets in the construction sector, said Deputy Chief Executive of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Dr Wong Lai Sum. He said they were interested in exploring business opportunities with Malaysian companies in countries such as Algeria, North Africa, West Asia and ASEAN countries.

"This is the first time they expressed a desire to establish cooperation with us," he said in Jakarta. Wong, who is in the capital city of Indonesia for the Specialised Marketing Mission Matrade in construction and related services, said the company was in talks with companies about possible cooperation in the construction of roads, buildings and shopping malls, commercial and residential properties.
"They are also keen to forge alliances in other parts of ASEAN, as ASEAN expanded to realize its objective of becoming a common market, it should be no barriers," he said. delegation of 20 individuals of several companies specializing in the construction sector took part in the marketing mission.

Performance is projected gold prices continued to surge

Projected INVESTMENT in gold and will return up to 24 percent per annum during the next three years the price of precious metals is expected to reach U.S. $ 2.100 seauns by 2014.
Head of Investment Strategy Standard Chartered Bank (StanChart), Steve Brice, said demand for gold would continue to grow, especially from China and India due to rising disposable incomes in both countries.
He said the global economic situation uncertain because of the debt problem in the United States (U.S.) and European central banks continued to promote the worldwide increase their gold reserves. "We are confident with the performance of gold prices is expected to increase further due to demand as investors see commodities as an investment hedge, "he said at a media briefing on the expected investment second half in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Brice said he expects the gold price could reach U.S. $ 1.650 seauns by the end of this year. The interest rate environment is negative in the U.S. also lead to increased demand for gold because normally it is very high