Enterprise Explores

As Malaysia tables the Budget 2025 today, we turn our focus to Malaysia’s Mid-tier companies (MTCs) and SMEs, the backbone of the nation’s economy. These businesses drive innovation, create jobs, and enhance Malaysia's global competitiveness, yet they continue to face significant challenges, from limited access to financing to the need for digital transformation and skilled talent.We speak with Callum Chen, Honorary President of the Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies, as we reflect on the outcomes of Budget 2024 — what worked, what didn’t, and where gaps remain. We also dive into what these businesses are hoping to see in Budget 2025, and the key policies and initiatives that could unlock new opportunities for them, strengthening their position in the global market.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing – Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the tech and startup ecosystem need? How can we and should we encourage the government, GLCs, and PLCs to buy tech products and services from local players? What about acquisitions? Should GLCs be mandated to acquire high-quality startups?As the Budget 2025 tabling approaches, we explore all this and key wishlist items from the tech and startup ecosystem, including the potential impact of government procurement, with Dr. Sivapalan Vivekarajah, Co-Chair of the Soonicorn Collective, and Warren Leow, CEO of Pixlr Group.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing – Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will the Ringgit continue to strengthen against the US Dollar? Could we see the GST comeback? How could fuel subsidy rationalisation factors into Budget 2025?In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we speak with Caroline Wong, Country Risk Analyst at BMI (part of Fitch Solutions), to discuss the key aspects of Malaysia's fiscal strategy as we head into Budget 2025.We dive into the government's fiscal consolidation plans, the outlook for the Ringgit, and what to expect from Bank Negara Malaysia in terms of interest rate policies.Tune in to explore how these factors will shape the business landscape in the coming year.Brought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia’s economy gains momentum with stronger foreign investments, a rising Ringgit, and improved innovation ranking, the nation is on track to potentially achieve high-income status by 2028. Central to this growth is the government's commitment to inclusive progress, highlighted by the Public-Private Partnership Master Plan 2030 (PIKAS 2030) and the RM100 million allocation in Budget 2024 for NGOs and civil society organisations.In this episode, we explore the vital role of social enterprises in shaping Malaysia’s socio-economic landscape with Kuhan Pathy, President of the Social Entrepreneur Development Association, a Founding Member of the Malaysia Chamber of Social Entrepreneur Development, and Co-Founder of Pepper Labs. We also discuss how social enterprises driving innovation, creating community impact, and what Budget 2025 could mean for the future of this growing ecosystem.This BFM Budget 2025 Special is brought to you by Mah Sing – Reinvent Spaces. Enhance Life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s competitive global economy, talent is key. In this episode, we dive into the IMD World Talent Ranking 2024 with Professor Arturo Bris, Director of the World Competitiveness Center at the Institute for Management Development (IMD). Discover how top economies like Switzerland (ranked 1st), Singapore (2nd), and Nordic countries like Denmark (3rd), Norway (4th) and Sweden (6th) are excelling in talent development. We also discuss Malaysia's position at 33rd, the impact of AI, and the importance of inclusivity, and what businesses must do to stay competitive in the global talent race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your business missing out on crucial financing due to a lack of collateral? In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into how Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP) is helping Malaysian SMEs access growth capital through government-backed guarantee schemes.We’re joined by Datuk Fazlur Rahman Zainuddin, Principal Officer of SJPP, to explore how these schemes work, the RM20 billion allocated under Budget 2024, and how businesses across sectors—including green tech, halal, and Bumiputera enterprises—can take advantage of these financing solutions to reduce costs and drive growth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If you asked me what could be improved, I’d say maybe an agency that doesn’t only focus on the big players like Google and Microsoft, but also one that helps small and medium companies like us settle in.”In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we take a closer look at the company’s decision to move its Southeast Asia regional office to Malaysia, why it’s not just a cost savings exercise, and what this says about the country’s growing reputation as a regional hub for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).We speak with Norbert Hentschel, Regional Managing Director of Nord-Lock Group, to discuss the factors that influenced this move, including labour force availability, logistics infrastructure, and the strategic advantages Malaysia offers over neighbouring countries.Key Areas of Conversation:- The main reasons behind Nord-Lock’s relocation to Malaysia, beyond just cost considerations.- How Malaysia's stable government, multilingual workforce, and logistics infrastructure played a pivotal role in the decision.- How Nord-Lock plans to grow its workforce and integrate into the local economy, including hiring for high-skilled roles and engaging with local suppliers.- Malaysia’s potential to compete as a regional hub in Southeast Asia and why companies like Nord-Lock are choosing it over traditional hubs like Singapore.- Norbert’s insights on the broader trends in FDI, Malaysia’s economic future, and what policies could further enhance the country’s attractiveness for foreign businesses.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Malaysia continues to make strides in digital transformation, there remains a significant gap in digital inclusion, particularly among older generations. Many seniors still face challenges in navigating technology, which has become an essential tool in our daily lives. Recognising this need, a group of forward-thinking final-year advertising students from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management & Technology (TAR UMT) have launched a senior influencer project called “Golden Seniors Connect”. In this episode, we speak with Lai Ee Shen, the Project Leader, and Chow Tze Mae, the Project Content Creator to learn more about this project that aims to empower seniors with digital literacy, grooming them to become influencers and role models to inspire their peers to embrace technology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global shifts, automation, climate change, and US-China tensions are reshaping businesses around the world. The joint Angsana Council, Bain & Company, and DBS Bank SEA Outlook 2024-2034 report reveals how Malaysia and Southeast Asia can capitalise on emerging growth sectors, adapt to geopolitical changes, and embrace new technologies for future success.In today’s conversation with Charles Ormiston, Advisory Partner at Bain & Company and Chair of Angsana Council; and Karen Harris, the Managing Director for Bain’s Macro Trends Group, we explore key economic projections and critical themes such as automation and ageing populations that will shape business strategies in the next three to five years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

European companies are increasingly eyeing ASEAN as their next major growth market. In this episode of Enterprise Explores, we dive into EU-ASEAN trade dynamics — what’s fueling optimism but also what could hold things back.With insights from the 10th annual EU-ASEAN Business Sentiment Survey, we speak with Chris Humphrey, Executive Director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, to unpack why European firms are bullish on ASEAN’s economic potential, the barriers to further investment, and the strategic opportunities in the region.Key Areas of Conversation:- What’s driving European businesses to boost trade and investment in ASEAN.- The inefficiencies in regional supply chains and how ASEAN can improve infrastructure.- The impact of the lack of a region-to-region Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and ASEAN.- How European firms are navigating challenges like non-tariff barriers and digital economy regulations.- The role of sustainability, the European Green Deal, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in shaping EU-ASEAN relations.Tune in to discover what’s on the horizon for EU-ASEAN business relations and how Southeast Asia is positioning itself as a top destination for European trade and investment.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.