Tag: Businesses

The semiconductor equipment industry is set to achieve a record-breaking US$108.5 billion in sales for 2022, surpassing the previous year's US$102.5 billion. SEMI predicts continued growth in front-end and back-end manufacturing categories, despite an anticipated market decline to US$91.2 billion in 2023.

Major US bank leaders like Jamie Dimon predict economic challenges ahead, citing inflation's impact on consumer purchasing power. With pandemic savings expected to deplete by mid-2023 and potential interest rate stabilization, banks are preparing for a potential mild to hard recession next year.

Asian markets show mixed performance as Hong Kong and China stocks rise, despite worries about economic slowdown. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index edges up, with Hang Seng surging over 2% following China's COVID policy relaxation. Australian and Japanese markets experience declines, reflecting ongoing global economic uncertainties.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) forecasts a challenging start for Asian economies in 2023, but highlights Malaysia's economic resilience. Despite global supply chain disruptions and inflation, the country is expected to maintain economic strength through the anticipated global economic downturn.

The Malaysian stock market experienced a 1% decline with the KLCI index, while the ringgit reached a three-month high at 4.4760. Foreign investors returned to buying stocks, and potential political developments could drive pro-growth measures and domestic reforms.

S&P Global Ratings predicts Malaysian banks will maintain loan growth between 5-6% in 2023, supported by a stable economy. The banking sector shows resilience with strong capitalization, 1.8% provisioning buffers, and a 14.3% common equity Tier 1 ratio, enabling banks to withstand potential asset quality pressures.

Brunei has performed exceptionally well in business and labor market regulations, securing top global rankings in the Fraser Institute's Economic Freedom Index. The Sultanate scored 8.8 out of 10 in regulations, ranking fourth globally in labor market regulation and eighth in business regulation.

AmBank has formed a strategic two-year partnership with Persatuan Usahawan Maju Malaysian (PUMM), aiming to support over 3,000 business owners across various sectors. The collaboration focuses on enhancing financial literacy, providing financing access, and offering business optimization tools to help SMEs thrive.