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Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah reaffirms ties with Sarawak
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Dr Joachim (second right) in a group photo with others after the launching gimmick. PENAMPANG: The Sabah Government is committed to strengthening ties and promoting unity with Sarawak through continued collaboration, said Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam. Speaking at the 2025 Kaamatan Gawai Golf Tournament in Donggongon, Dr Joachim highlighted the event as a meaningful platform to deepen mutual understanding between the people of Sabah and Sarawak, especially the Kadazandusun and Dayak communities. 'This tournament reflects the State Government's aspiration to foster goodwill and cooperation with our Sarawak counterparts,' he said, stressing that cultural events like this are crucial to regional unity and development. He noted that despite Sabah and Sarawak comprising 60 percent of Malaysia's landmass, they hold only about 20 percent of the population, a dynamic that offers room for strategic partnerships. Dr Joachim also praised the growing ties between the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), saying the tournament has strengthened business and social connections. 'There are no losers here, only winners in friendship and unity,' he said, thanking the Sarawak delegation for their strong support and calling for the tournament's tradition to continue as a celebration of shared values and diversity. Also present were KCCI President Ladislaus Maluda, DCCI President Dato' Allan Keripin, PBB Secretary General YB Miro Simuh, and other dignitaries. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Piyush Goyal reviews PLI scheme, emphasises on quality over quantity in skilling initiatives
India must focus on the sectors in which India has competitive edge over other countries and address the problems faced by the various stakeholders so that countrys exports can grow, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal said at the review meeting on Production Linked Incentive Scheme, one of the notable initiatives for making India Aatmanirbhar in the manufacturing sector. Goyal urged the need for becoming self-reliant in the key sectors covered under the PLI Scheme. Emphasizing that the Ministries should focus on creating quality skilled manpower instead of focusing on the quantity and resolve infrastructure bottlenecks in collaboration with NICDC, Shri Goyal stressed on preparing a roadmap for the next five years both on investment and disbursement.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Business sentiment wanes in South Africa as economic uncertainty lingers
South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said while releasing their Business Confidence Index (BCI) on Wednesday that the BCI dipped by 8.6 index points in April to 114.9 but clawed back some 0.9 index points in May 2025 to measure 115.8. SACCI said that the index remains higher than it was in May 2024. Image: Karen Sandison/Independent Newspapers Sentiment in the business sector in South Africa has remained volatile despite a minor rebound following fears over US trade policy, including former President Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs. The latest release of the Business Confidence Index (BCI) by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has revealed a complicated landscape for businesses, as the index experienced a notable fluctuation in recent months. The BCI dropped by 8.6 index points in April to a measure of 114.9, before recovering slightly by 0.9 index points in May, culminating in a score of 115.8. Waldo Krugell, economics professor at North-West University, said that this decline was in line with other high-frequency data indicators. 'Basically, it's businesses that are now more pessimistic about the prospects for doing business during the course of this year,' Krugell said. 'This loss of momentum speaks to consumers not spending as much as expected. Even in the investment numbers last week we saw a decline in investment indicating people are less confident and expect a slowing of the economy.' Despite this minor rebound, Sacci highlighted that the BCI still stands 8.0 index points higher than the same period last year, signalling a year-on-year improvement in business confidence. In its analysis, Sacci noted that the volatility between April and May was characterised by mixed performances across the index's 14 sub-indices, where six improved, six declined, and two remained neutral. Factors contributing positively to sentiment include a strengthened rand exchange rate, surging share prices on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and high prices for key commodities like gold and platinum. Year-on-year comparisons show a brighter outlook, with the BCI being 6 and 8 index points above the levels recorded in April and May of the previous year respectively. Contributing to this optimistic trend are increased numbers of inbound tourists, a rise in new vehicle sales, lower inflation, and elevated global prices for precious metals. Nevertheless, fluctuating merchandise export volumes and the diminishing real value of building plans continue to cast shadows on the business climate. Sacci emphasised the need for substantive economic growth to enhance the well-being of South Africans. The Chamber pointed out the disconcerting reality that the country's performance of merely 0.8% year-on-year growth reported for the first quarter of 2025 falls significantly short of what is necessary to tackle escalating unemployment and foster an inclusive economic environment. Programmes to attract investment must be prioritised to combat concerns that deter foreign and domestic investors. North-West University Business School economist, Professor Raymond Parsons, said if taken together with other high-frequency economic data, the BCI showed a mixed picture of the current business mood. 'Obviously global factors also play a role. But as Sacci itself emphasises, the domestic policy environment must become more conducive to boosting investor confidence,' Parsons said. 'This means South Africa needs to improve on the present consensus forecasts of only about 1% GDP growth in 2025. Translating positive short-term business confidence trends into longer-term investor confidence is therefore the challenge presently facing South African policymakers at various levels.'
Muscat Daily
3 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
OCCI to launch 4th Franchise Programme on June 29
Muscat – Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) will launch the fourth edition of its Franchise Programme on June 29 under the patronage of Sheikh al Fadhl bin Mohammed al Harthi, Secretary-General of Council of Ministers. The launch will be attended by Sheikh Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of OCCI, Humood bin Salim al Saadi, Second Deputy Chairman and head of Central Franchise Committee, board members of the chamber and business representatives. The programme aims to promote franchising as a business model among Omani entrepreneurs, highlighting its economic benefits and role in developing competitive local brands. It also seeks to help these brands expand into regional and international markets. Humood bin Salim al Saadi The programme supports efforts to diversify income sources and strengthen the SME sector, aligning with OCCI's strategy to improve the business climate and expand the private sector's contribution to Oman's economy under Vision 2040. According to Saadi, the fourth edition of the programme will build on the achievements of the previous one, reinforcing the chamber's commitment to empowering local businesses. 'We aim to create competitive Omani brands that can thrive both domestically and internationally,' he said. He added that a Franchise Centre was established as part of broader efforts to institutionalise franchising and offer targeted support to companies and entrepreneurs looking to scale. The centre plays a key role in facilitating expansion and reinforcing private sector leadership in development of the national economy.
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
OCCI at London Arab-British Economic Summit
LONDON: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) on Monday took part in the 4th Arab-British Economic Summit 2025, held in London. The summit, which took the theme 'Friendship Through Trade', was organised by the Arab British Chamber in cooperation with the Union of Arab Chambers. The summit highlighted the importance of consolidating the strategic partnership between Arab countries and the United Kingdom, action to expand cooperation into different commercial sectors to enrich British and Arab markets and promote sustainable tourism, e-commerce and franchises. It also touched on means of activating the sectors of banking and financial services. The summit saw the participation of high-level government officials, CEOs, intellectuals and decision-makers from Arab countries and the United Kingdom. The participants exchanged ideas and discussed emerging opportunities for trade and investment in new technology-based industries. — ONA
