The Basic Gateway to ICT Solutions Mr. Michael Fun, the Chief Executive of Basic Gateway, talks about how his company is working towards enhancing ICT security and network connectivity through strategic partnerships.
19th November 2009, Perdana Ballroom, Putrajaya International Convention Center, Putrajaya.
PAST ISSUES
ARCHIVES
Recently articles :
Full Size European automakers find cause to celebrate as car sales rose for a 3rd consecutive month, clocking in a 3% increase month-on-month.
Europeanautomakers optimistic
European car sales rose for a third consecutive month in August, lifting the spirits of local automakers. Car registrations rose 3% across Europe in August according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), however some analysts have expressed caution over premature celebrations as the recent rally is being fuelled by state incentives that could leave the industry in a hungover state once depleted. The increase which came after 14 months of downturn reflects the impact of incentive schemes across Europe, after registrations fell by 8.2% in the first eight months of the downturn.
According to Volkswagen CEO Martkin Winterkorn, "The difficult crisis in the automotive industry is not over yet, but there are increasing signs that the bottom has been reached...
the industry can be cautiously optimistic." In Germany, Europe's largest car market, registrations leapt 28% in August, thanks to a scheme that gave drivers a US$3650 rebate for their old cars when they bought new environmentally friendly models.
Asian carmakers rebound in the US
Asian automakers, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai had their highest monthly sales this September, leading Asian brands to their first combined sales gain in 15 months. The notable gain for Asian brands are the first since May 2008, and gives them 52.3% of the American market. The US government's 'cash for clunkers' programme which ran from the 27th of July through the 24th of August helped break a streak of monthly declines which started in October 2007.
According to Bob Carter, vice president of Toyota's US Sales, the programme is estimated to have generated more than US$600m in additional state tax revenue. With the programme in motion, Toyota recorded a 6.4% increase in sales, and Honda's sales rose by 9.9%. Meanwhile Hyundai led the pack with sales skyrocketing 47%, with 60,467 vehicles sold last month, the highest ever for South Korea's largest automaker.
Asian automakers see a silver lining in the US auto retail market with strong performances in September.
Stabilising Semiconductors in Malaysia
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) of Malaysia has reported that worldwide semiconductor sales in July rose to US$18.2b, a 5.3% increase from the previous month's US$17.2b. This proves that the industry is showing positive signs of a sustainable recovery as the US economy stabilises and large fiscal stimulus packages support the industry's growth in China.
For the fifth consecutive month, semiconductor sales have reflected increasing demand from the consumer sector. For the first half of 2009, the average monthly year-on-year decline was 25%, while sales in July were 18.2% lower than a year before. However China's stimulus plan combined with the launch of the latest third-generation technology has become a catalyst for higher earnings. According to TA Securities, "The current pick-up in global chip sales is due to a combination of inventory replenishment as well as the preparation for demand uptick in the second half due to more optimistic worldwide GDP growth estimates."
Full Size The top steel producing countries in the world. The fortunes of the steel industry is expected to lag in the second half of the year.
South East Asia's Steel Bottomline
Steel mills are reporting losses for the second quarter of 2009. According to OSK Research, despite the expectations that steel prices and demand to be volatile in 2010, local mills may continue to export billets to South East Asian markets , as a vacuum in supply has been created by China's imposition of a 25% export tax.
Despite predicted volatility, there is hope for an overall better financial year in 2010 with various governments pumping finances as their respective stimulus packages are put into motion. The conclusion of iron ore pellets prices for 2009/10 is at 48.3% and selling prices have breached US$350 per tonne.
