AOT lays out a plan for achieving net-zero carbon emissions in aviation industry
泰國機場管理局（AOT）制定實現航空業零碳排放的計劃
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has laid out its strategy to reach its goals of carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2032. The AOT, which runs the country’s six main airports, plans to reduce 50% of its 300,000 tons of annual carbon emissions within the first four years.
The AOT intends to replace cars with internal combustion engines with electric vehicles in accordance with the plan. The agency hopes to convert 1,180 of the 3,710 rental cars into electric vehicles in 2024, 760 in 2025, 1,170 in 2026, and 600 in 2027. Additionally, the AOT intends to replace 3,400 vehicles that assist airport operations in addition to more than 4,000 taxis and limousines with electric vehicles.
This might contribute to an annual fuel consumption decrease of up to 10 million litres, or 28,360 tons less carbon dioxide. This would also lessen air pollution at airports.
https://www.nationthailand.com/business/corporate/40034369
T小編按：該報告顯示了泰國機場管理局在航空業可持續性方面的承諾和努力。AOT已經制定了一項全面的計劃，以在2030年實現碳中和，並在2032年實現零碳排放。
TNG digital expands its services to facilitate hassle-free cross-border remittances to 50+ countries
TNG Digital擴大服務範圍，實現無憂的跨境匯款至50多個國家
Through its Touch ‘n Go eWallet, TNG Digital has extended the scope of its services to include cross border payments to more than 50 countries. The company said that the reason for the expansion to more than 50 nations was the high demand from users for more international options. The service was first launched in May 2023 and was initially available in 10 countries.
TNG Digital claims to offer GOremit, a quick, safe, and practical way for anyone to send money overseas at any time, from any location. In addition to transferring money to recipients’ bank accounts or for cash pick-up, users can also—and this is more convenient—transfer money to their preferred eWallet in the destination country.
T小編按：這則消息反映了馬來西亞金融服務業內不斷進行的轉型和數字化。擴大服務的決定源於用戶對增加國際選擇的高需求。 TNG Digital的GOremit服務於2023年5月推出，最初在10個國家提供，為用戶提供了一種方便快捷、安全實用的海外匯款解決方案。
Duolingo cuts 10% of contractors as it employs more AI to generate app content
Duolingo裁減10%的承包商，增加AI生成應用內容的使用
Ten percent of the contract translators at the well-known language learning app Duolingo were laid off as a result of a recent restructuring phase. Media sources have commented on this calculated move, which fits in with the company’s growing dependence on generative AI for content development and curation.
Duolingo’s global head of communications, Sam Dalsimer, emphasized the complex role AI plays in the business. Dalsimer said, highlighting the diverse applications of AI in Duolingo that AI isn’t the only factor in contract labor decline and the company employs AI for a variety of jobs and functions.
Dalsimer reassured that despite the integration of AI, contract and staff workers still have crucial responsibilities in validating and improving the validity of AI-generated outputs. Furthermore, Duolingo has been aggressively looking for other positions for the impacted contractors.
Advancecon and Perak State to develop Silver Valley with an investment target of RM14 billion
Advancecon和霹靂州合作開發銀谷，投資目標達到140億令吉
With a projected gross development value (GDV) of RM1.03 billion, Perak State Development Corp (PKNPk) and its subsidiary Perak Corp have signed a joint venture agreement to establish Silver Valley Technology Park (SVTP) on the former’s industrial site in Kanthan.
As the joint developer of SVTP, they also welcomed Advancecon Holdings Bhd, a specialist in engineering and earthworks.
To move SVTP forward, Advancecon would be a fantastic sparring partner for Perak Corp, according to PKNPk chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak. He stated that they we aim to secure RM14 billion of private investment and hope to contribute to Perak’s GDP in return.
T小編按：這一戰略合作，聚焦於技術和大規模投資，標誌著該地區工業格局的一個顯著發展。這個先進的工業園區的建立被視為一個重要機遇的催化劑，吸引國內外直接投資（FDI）。
Excise plans to implement new green tax policies
財政部計劃實施新的綠色稅收政策
Director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas of the Excise Department has announced plans to implement four tax measures aimed at improving the environment and society this year. The four measures are: advocating for the use of pure ethanol in the production of bioplastics; supporting the use of certain cars to assist the elderly or disabled; proposing a carbon tax on the energy, transportation, and industrial sectors; and supporting the use of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), including batteries used in other industries like solar cells.
Mr. Ekniti stated that in an effort to support environmental conservation, battery subsidy measures will be made available for systems that recycle spent batteries. 2023 saw 59,835 new BEV registrations in the first ten months, an increase of 675% over the previous year.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2720023
T小編按：這些措施被視為促進在生物塑料生產中使用純乙醇，支持特定為老年人或殘疾人提供的汽車，提議對能源、交通和工業部門進行碳稅，並支持電池電動汽車（BEVs）及其在太陽能電池等各行業的應用。這也可能促進綠色技術的商機。
Thai Commerce Ministry aiming to sign 3 FTAs in 2024
泰國商務部計劃在2024年簽署3項自由貿易協定
The aim of the Thai Commerce Ministry is to sign three free trade agreements by 2024: an improvement to the current ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand trade agreement as well as two new agreements with Sri Lanka and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Chotima Iemsawasdikul, the director general of the Trade Negotiations Department, announced on January 10 that her office has accelerated negotiations in order to conform to the government’s policy, which is led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and aims to expand opportunities and boost competitiveness for Thai businesses.
The department is expecting the Thailand-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement to be signed in the first few days of February. After that, the deal will be brought to the parliament for approval, a process that takes about 60 days.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/thailand-aims-to-sign-three-ftas-in-2024/276083.vnp
T小編按：泰國商務部計劃在2024年簽署三項自由貿易協定可能對該國經濟和貿易關係產生重大影響。這也可能使泰國在全球貿易領域成為一個積極參與者，促進經濟增長，創造商機，並有助於該國整體經濟的抗衡。
Malaysia is developing an ethics code and governance for AI
馬來西亞正在制定AI的道德準則和治理架構
A set of ethics and governance guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) is being developed in Malaysia in response to growing demand from AI companies looking to broaden their customer base and penetrate new industries. Industry executives expect the initiative to be completed this year.
The partnership between YTL Power International Bhd and US-based Nvidia Corp to create AI infrastructure and bring the fastest supercomputers to Malaysia by mid-2024 is one noteworthy example of the increased interest in this area.
The statement was made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during a meeting.
Meta Bright to install solar PV system for Kemaman Municipal Council
Meta Bright為Kemaman市政局安裝太陽能光伏系統
The Kemaman Municipal Council (MPK) in Terengganu has signed a 20-year renewable energy supply agreement with Meta Bright Group Bhd, with the projected installation of a 407.8 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Kijal Mall.
Mega Bright sent MPK a conditional offer letter to join their solar PV without capital expenditure plan, which MPK accepted on January 1, 2024.
MPK owns Kijal Mall, where Mega Bright will design, build, install, commission, run, and maintain the solar PV system. As part of the initiative, the council decided to pay fixed solar tariff rates of 36 sen per kWh for renewable energy produced by the PV plants at Kijal Mall. The 20-year agreement begins, six months after the PV system is put into service.
T小編按：Meta Bright為Kemaman市政局安裝太陽能光伏系統反映了馬來西亞可再生能源領域不斷增長的商機。隨著政府強調可持續和環保的倡議，人們對採用清潔能源解決方案的推動力不斷增強。這與馬來西亞減少碳排放並實現環境可持續性的承諾一致。
Malaysia’s PMI likely to remain below the pivotal 50-point threshold
馬來西亞的PMI可能仍然低於關鍵的50點閾值
Similar to the global manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), Malaysia’s is probably going to stay below the crucial 50-point mark in the time to come.
According to Public Investment Bank research (PublicInvest), this is due to the ongoing interaction of existing factors that reflect persistent fragility in external demand.
“We anticipate this trend to persist before potentially bottoming out in the latter part of the first half of 2024 (1H24),” the note stated. In December, Malaysia’s manufacturing PMI remained stable at 47.9.
T小編按：PMI是一個關鍵的經濟指標，反映製造業的健康狀況。低於50的讀數表示縮小，而高於50的讀數表示擴張。對於全球公司來說，馬來西亞的PMI低於50可能意味著該國製造業面臨挑戰和需求減少。然而，這種情況可能會隨著政策措施、經濟條件或需求刺激而發生變化。
Sunview, Saudi’s firm focuses on RE investments in Middle East, Africa & Asean
Sunview，沙特公司專注於中東、非洲和東盟的再生能源投資
Sunview Group Bhd is looking into the possibility of partnering with Saudi Arabia’s Vision Ambassadors Company for International Trade Consultancy to make investments in renewable and green energy.
Sunview and Vision Ambassadors signed an MoU on the opportunity today through Fabulous Sunview Sdn Bhd, which is completely owned by Sunview. For prospective projects, Sunview will be solely in charge of EPCC-related activities.
Potential project locations will be jointly identified by the partnership, with both companies serving as the principal investors.
T小編按：再生能源公司Sunview宣布與Vision Ambassadors合作，重點是共同識別潛在的項目位置，兩個實體都將作為主要投資者。這種合作超越了馬來西亞，目標是在沙特阿拉伯、中東、非洲和東南亞等地尋找機會，旨在擴大Sunview的地理覆蓋範圍。
OCBC Al-Amin offers RHB Islamic a ground-breaking US$175 million green financing
聯銀行伊斯蘭分行為RHB伊斯蘭提供開創性的1.75億美元綠色融資
RHB Islamic Bank Bhd has been granted a ground-breaking US$175 million (US$1=RM4.60) Islamic green term financing facility by OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd, the Islamic banking affiliate of OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd.
According to a joint statement, the facility makes OCBC Al-Amin the first bank in Malaysia to offer a green Islamic foreign currency and bank-to-bank term financing facility.
The facility is also the first in Malaysia’s financial institutions sector to have an innovative Islamic term financing system that uses the use-of-proceeds technique.
In accordance with the sustainable asset framework of RHB Banking Group, RHB Islamic will offer its clients comprehensive financing solutions pertaining to environmental, social, and governance aspects through the utilization of the green Islamic financing facility.
Kinergy Advancement leads in the RE space
Kinergy Advancement在可再生能源領域領先
Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KAB), a notable player in the renewable energy (RE) market, is taking a gamble by entering the telecommunication infrastructure sector. This move is motivated by the introduction of 5G technology, which necessitates significant infrastructure development.
Given that 5G towers have a lower coverage radius than 4G towers, executive deputy chairman and group managing director Datuk Lai Keng Onn stated that a denser network of towers is urgently needed.
Besides the telecom infrastructure market, KAB is concentrating on palm oil industry sustainable energy as well.
https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2024/01/996351/kinergy-advancement-pioneers-re-solution
Penang’s technology startup ecosystem receives recognition
檳城的科技初創生態系統獲得認可
A significant turning point for Penang’s technology startup ecosystem was announced by Digital Penang, which said it was honored “Outstanding Ecosystem among Medium-Sized Population Cities in Southeast Asia 2023” from StartupBlink. StartupBlink is a prominent startup ecosystem map and research center based in Zürich, Switzerland.
The target that Penang has set for itself is to support 500 technology startups by 2030. By 2023, the state would have nurtured 150 successful businesses in a variety of IT verticals, such as e-commerce, agritech, deeptech, edtech, and finance. Digital Penang, in partnership with strategic partners in Indonesia, has initiated market growth and access programs aimed at strengthening the resilience and sustainability of Penang startups.
Ｔ小編按：這項認可標誌著檳城取得的一個重要里程碑，顯示了其致力於培育繁榮的初創企業環境。檳城州的目標是到2030年支持500家科技初創企業，並在2023年之前培育出150家在不同信息技術垂直領域取得成功的企業。Digital Penang與印尼的戰略合作夥伴合作，啟動了市場增長和接入計劃，以提升檳城初創社區的韌性和可持續性。