logo
ChemOne lands US$350mil takaful deal

ChemOne lands US$350mil takaful deal

The Star09-07-2025
KUALA LUMPUR: ChemOne Group has secured a US$350mil Islamic insurance cover from the Islamic Development Bank's unit, Islamic Corp for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).
In a statement yesterday, the Singapore-based petrochemicals, green energy and natural resources conglomerate said the cover is designed to support Islamic banks involved in the project financing of the Pengerang Energy Complex Sdn Bhd (PEC), highlighting strong institutional confidence and the project's long-term strategic value to Johor.
The ICIEC cover is structured under a murabahah financing facility, providing 90% cover on both principal and profit -- significantly de-risking the transaction for participating Islamic banks, including the National Bank of Kuwait, the Qatar National Bank, Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia and Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Arabia.
ChemOne chief financial officer Mayank Vishnoi said that ICIEC's support provides a strong validation of PEC's financial strength and its far-reaching development impact.
'PEC will drive regional industrial growth, create thousands of jobs and support regional value chains to all while adhering to global standards for sustainable and responsible financing,' he said. — Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China starts construction of Tibet mega-dam
China starts construction of Tibet mega-dam

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

China starts construction of Tibet mega-dam

BEIJING: China started building a mega-dam Saturday on a river running through Tibet and India, with Premier Li Qiang attending the commencement ceremony, state media said. Beijing approved the project in December on the river – known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and Brahmaputra in India – linking it to the country's carbon neutrality targets and economic goals in the Tibet region. "The electricity generated will be primarily transmitted to other regions for consumption, while also meeting local power needs in Tibet," state news agency Xinhua reported after the groundbreaking ceremony in southeastern Tibet's Nyingchi. Once built, the dam could dwarf the record-breaking Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China – and have a potentially serious impact on millions of people downstream in India and Bangladesh. The project will entail constructing five hydropower stations, with the total investment estimated to be around 1.2 trillion yuan (US$167.1 billion), Xinhua said. India said in January it had raised concerns with China about the project in Tibet, saying it will "monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests." China "has been urged to ensure that the interests of the downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas", India's foreign ministry said then. In December, Beijing's foreign ministry said that the project would not have any "negative impact" downstream, adding that China "will also maintain communication with countries at the lower reaches" of the river. Besides downstream concerns, environmentalists have also warned about the irreversible impact of such mega projects in the ecologically sensitive Tibetan plateau. Both India and China, neighbours and rival Asian powers, share thousands of kilometres of disputed borders, where tens of thousands of soldiers are posted on either side.

Sabah Blue Economy on track to yield RM3.25bil annually from marine harvests
Sabah Blue Economy on track to yield RM3.25bil annually from marine harvests

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Sabah Blue Economy on track to yield RM3.25bil annually from marine harvests

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Blue Economy is estimated to yield 491,000 tonnes of marine harvests such as fish and prawns annually, with a value of RM3.25 billion, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. He said marine harvesting is one of 14 components of the Blue Economy that can be explored, such as renewable ocean energy, blue carbon, tourism, maritime transport, and marine biotechnology, among others. "There is more to Blue Economy than just deep-sea harvesting," he said in a speech read by Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun at the International Business Review (IBR) ASEAN Awards here yesterday. Also present was IBR Asia Group founder, director and chief executive officer Datuk Beatrice Nirmala. The chief minister also said that one of the most exciting aspects of ocean energy is the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), which harnesses energy from the oceans. "OTEC power plants are currently being planned to span across 500km of coastline and, in time, to be able to generate 20,000MW of green energy, an unprecedented scale globally. This is not only a gamechanger for the country, it is a gamechanger for the region," he said. Hajiji said the Blue Economy Industrial Park has been established in Kudat as part of three new industrial parks approved by the state government, along with Kota Belud and Beaufort, all strategically located to grow investment opportunities. On the investment front, Hajiji said Sabah had recorded RM17.41 billion from 73 companies in overall approved foreign and domestic investments in the manufacturing sector since September 2020, with 52 companies already setting up businesses in the state with a total investment of RM7.8 billion, creating 3,636 jobs. Between 2022 and 2024, Sabah received new investment proposals worth an additional RM42.3 billion, which will create 32,996 jobs, he added. The chief minister highlighted that Sabah had sealed the Commercial Collaborative Agreement with Petronas, allowing the state to have more participation in the oil and gas industry. This includes 50 per cent equity from the Samarang oil and gas field, 25 per cent equity from Samur, and a 25 per cent equity in the US$3.1 billion (US$1=RM4.24) floating liquefied natural gas (ZLNG) investment in Sipitang. To support the growing investments, the state government has launched the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040. This initiative aims to generate 700MW within the next 1 to 2 years. Additionally, the government has allocated RM679.85 million in 2024 to address immediate water shortages. Long-term plans also include the completion of the Ulu Padas hydropower. Meanwhile, nine winners were announced at the event, namely Institut Jantung Negara for corporate excellence in the healthcare sector, Clean Kinetics Pte Ltd for corporate excellence in the renewable energy sector, Millenium Minerals Ltd for corporate excellence in the mining industry, Sabah Port Sdn Bhd for corporate excellence in the logistics sector, AiRTS Pte Ltd for innovative technology in the artificial intelligence sector, Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn Bhd for corporate excellence in the event management sector, and Education Malaysia Global Services for corporate excellence in the education sector. Negeri Sembilan was named Most Progressive State in Malaysia in 2024, while Sabah was recognised as the Most Outstanding State in Malaysia for 2024.

Singapore restaurateurs flee rising costs for cheaper lifeline in Johor Bahru
Singapore restaurateurs flee rising costs for cheaper lifeline in Johor Bahru

Malay Mail

time3 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

Singapore restaurateurs flee rising costs for cheaper lifeline in Johor Bahru

SINGAPORE, July 30 — Struggling with high rents and labour shortages, Singaporean restaurateurs are turning to Johor Bahru for relief, drawn by lower costs and the hope of reviving their businesses. Hyderabadi chef Govinda Rajan, who opened his first Malaysian branch of Mr Biryani just three months ago, is already eyeing expansion, calling it a much-needed lifeline as his Singapore outlets battle to survive, the South China Morning Post reported. Across the city state, food and beverage (F&B) businesses are closing at the fastest rate in nearly 20 years, with 3,047 establishments shutting down in 2024 alone. This year has already seen 1,404 closures in the first half, including long-time favourites like Crystal Jade's Holland Village branch and Michelin-starred Poise. Govinda and others say while ingredients in Malaysia may be pricier, the overall costs — from rent to wages — are far more manageable, helping restore profitability. Singapore's tight foreign worker policies and locals' aversion to service jobs have further strained the sector, leaving many businesses short-staffed and financially squeezed. Temasek Polytechnic's Geoffrey Tai said more operators are expanding regionally to escape Singapore's high overheads and tap into growing middle-class markets like Malaysia. Lower operating costs have helped restaurateurs like Keith Koh, who opened a Muslim-friendly outlet of Lad & Dad in Kuala Lumpur in May, rediscover their passion and reduce burnout. Still, Singapore saw 3,790 new F&B openings last year and nearly 2,000 more in the first half of 2025, though industry insiders warn many are underestimating the risks. Chef-owner Bjorn Shen, who has expanded to Penang and Bali, said profits of 20–30 per cent are achievable abroad, compared to 5–7 per cent at best in Singapore, where most new restaurants fail within two years.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store