All good things must come to an end as the saying (and song!) goes.

. I feel sad to announce that I shall be leaving CIMT by the end of this month, after over four years of stint as Director of the centre. I dont feel particularly good leaving at this busiest time of the year, for normally September till December are the IMT-GT are the busiest months inthe busiest annual meetings cycle. More so that IMT-GT is in the midst of preparing the Implementation Blueprint 2012 2016. I am going back to the university after leaving the academic life for 17 year. Back in academic life, I shall be focusing on renewable energy and green technologies research and projects. Gods Willing, our paths may hopefully cross again in this new area, or perhaps in the UNINET programme! I therefore take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the IMT-GT subregional framework for all forms of cooperation and assistance provided to me and to CIMT. My heartfelt appreciation and gratitude particularly goes to the IMT-GT Senior Officials, Heads of National Secretariats, the ADB team members involved in IMT-GT, the Working Groups and Task Force members, the Joint Business Council Presidents and their members, State and Provincial Authorities, members from organisations such as ASEAN Secretariat and ERIA, and numerous others that I just cant spell out each and every one of them. Most of all I am indebted to the Director-General of Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Ministers Department, Malaysia, Datuk Noriyah Ahmad who had high trust in me for earlier appointing me in August 2007 to head CIMT. To Datuk Noriyah, and to all those mentioned above, I wish you all success in your continuous efforts to make IMT-GT subregional cooperation framework truly successful.

Kontena Nasional Sees Marked Growth in Halal Logistics, Set To Be Market Leader
SINGAPORE: Premier logistics company, Kontena Nasional Bhd, sees significant growth in halal logistics. Chief Executive Officer Hood Osman said the company was definitely growing in the halal aspect of the business. "Kontena Nasional is moving towards leading the market. In 2012 and 2013, we are going to sustain our market approach and the target, to me, is to be the leader in the halal logistics market. We've increased our halal warehouse, (we) started at two and up to June, we already have 14 halal warehouses, the growth is significant," he told Bernama via teleconference from Kuala Lumpur. Kontena Nasional's warehouse was the first to obtain the certificate from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to store halal products. In terms of halal, Hood said: "Right now we are talking to Port of Rotterdam (in The Netherlands) for a link up and we are also talking to Thailand and Indonesia. Kontena National catered more for domestic logistics requirements, which is about 80 per cent. "We do help SMEs to export to Europe, Thailand and Indonesia. It is a small scale about 20 per cent of the halal revenue. "So I would say if we are able to tackle the export side and expand with Indonesia, Thailand and also into Europe, the percentage would be much higher," he added. Source from BERNAMA

By Dr. Hassan Ibrahim Director of CIMT

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ASEAN Infrastructure Fund Set To Pave Way for Infrastructure Boom

WASHINGTON: ASEAN Finance Ministers gathered here Saturday to sign an agreement to create an innovative ASEAN Infrastructure Fund that promises to accelerate regional economic integration, setting the stage for a regional economic community by 2015. Malaysia, the largest ASEAN contributor of US$150 million to the fund, will be the leading shareholder in the historic ASEAN initiative that will finance major infrastructure projects across the region. Malaysia has also chaired a series of high-level task force meetings since July last year to establish the fund, said Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah to BERNAMA after the signing ceremony. The fund, to be based in Malaysia as a limited liability company, will help make the Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity a reality, he said. The fund is being set up with an initial equity contribution of US$485.2 million, of which US$335.2 million will come from nine ASEAN members. After Malaysia, Indonesia is the second largest ASEAN contributor at US$120 million, the remaining US$150 million is being provided by the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB). Myanmar will participate in the fund from next year and planned to contribute US$100,000 to the fund, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said. The fund's total lending commitment through 2020 will be about US$4 billion. With projected 70 per cent co-financing by ADB, it is expected to leverage more than US$13 billion in infrastructure financing by 2020. "ASEAN nations have substantial foreign reserves but these funds have largely been invested outside ASEAN, and outside Asia," said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. "By establishing the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund, ASEAN is taking a major step towards investing more of its resources for its own development needs. ADB will administer the fund and will ensure that safeguards and due diligence are an integral part of the design of financed projects. One unique feature of the fund is that it will issue debt targeted at central banks in the region which hold substantial foreign exchange reserves. ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan said: "With ASEAN countries holding over US$700 billion in reserves, the fund offers an avenue for mobilizing the region's resources for its growing infrastructure needs." Over the next decade, ASEAN economies will require about US$60 billion a year to fully address the region's infrastructure needs. On a per capita basis, countries in the region have only a fraction of the roads and railways found in developed OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, and dramatically lower electricity and clean water coverage. "The Infrastructure Fund will help forge the road, rail and energy links the region needs to create a greater degree of wellbeing for its people, and make the Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity a reality," said Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah. The Masterplan on Connectivity was issued last year. It identifies a series of strategies and actions to enhance physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity between nations. "This is the largest ASEAN-led initiative in the association's history," said Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, adding that ASEAN and ADB had identified infrastructure projects worth US$630 million in the region that include transportation, water and energy. ADB will manage the fund and will target six infrastructure projects a year. Project selection will be based on sound economic and financial rates of returns and the potential impact of poverty reduction. Once a successful track record is established over the next five years or so, the AIF will then begin to issue debt of 1.5 times the value of its equity. Source from BERNAMA

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Negeri Sembilan to Introduce Green Tech Policy Soon

SEREMBAN: The Negeri Sembilan government is in the final stage of drafting a green technology policy whose aim is to boost business activity in industries related to green technology. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the policy would spell out the state's goals, strategies and action plans, and include measures to monitor the implementation of green technology in each major sector. By 2015, he said, the state should achieve at least 30 percent implementation of green technology practices and criteria in all major sectors. In line with the proposed introduction of the Green Technology Policy, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan launched the state's Renewable Energy Sustainable Development Conceptual Master Plan. The objective is to gear up Negeri Sembilan as the first and leading renewable energy (RE) state in Malaysia. "With the unveiling of the plan, the state hopes to embark on a programme, in a structured and organised manner, to harness the potential of RE in the state," Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said at the launch ceremony here. The state government, he said, intended to make its contributions towards meeting the national targets to reduce carbon emissions and have an RE mix in energy demand. "We would also double our efforts to ensure that Negeri Sembilan will be the highest recipient of RE-based investments so that we would not only be able to provide more clean energy but employment opportunities to our people," he said. The development plan, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said, would be anchored on solar energy production as the key pillar, and supported by optimum utilisation of biogas and biomass energy. The RE development will be based on sustainable development strategies that emphasize on environment protection and preservation. "From this context of energy mix, it becomes compelling that the state hosts more RE projects and programmes here to balance the fact that we currently host one of the largest power plants in the country, one that is fossil fuel-based. "In meeting these goals, we hope that the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, through the newly-established Sustainable Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA), will accord Negeri Sembilan a fair share of the allocation of capacity limits or quota for new feed-in approvals," Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said. Source by BERNAMA

Bukittinggi Pledge a New Concept in Malaysia-Indonesia Ties, Says Datuk Seri Rais.
BUKITTINGGI: The pledge by Malaysian and Indonesian journalists to strengthen relations between the two nations through social and cultural efforts mirrors a new concept in cooperation between a homogenous people, said Malaysian Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. He said the Bukittinggi Pledge would assist both governments to outline strategies and programmes to enhance bilateral relations at various levels through language and culture. "After this, we will look into the details of the strategies and programmes and, God Willing, involve writers, journalists and culturati from both countries, with most of it led by the Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists Organisation (Iswami)," he said. Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who is on a three-day visit to Padang and Bukittinggi in Western Sumatra, spoke during a meeting between journalists and culturati organised by Iswami and the Western Sumatra government. The event ended with the signing of the Bukittinggi Pledge by Iswami Malaysia and Indonesia. "When we face problems in our relationship, Iswami for example could play its role in easing tension and help to find solutions. "Looking at the progress these past two days and our mutual determination I am confident this is a new phase and both our communities will witness these developments on television," he said. He urged writers, journalists and culturati to think outside the box and prove their ability by materialising any proposals they put forward. Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he would exchange notes with his colleague, Mr. Tifatul Sembiring, Indonesia's Communication and Information Minister, to figure out the next step. Meanwhile, Mr Tifatul said the two countries had come to realise the importance of identifying similarities between them in order to synergise their bilateral ties. "Our language is almost the same, so is our culture such as dances and songs. So, we hope any tension outside these areas could be reduced and I urge all Indonesian media practitioners to help in this cooperation by not picking on any negative issues," he said. Understanding between media practitioners was important as they were responsible for news reports from both sides, he emphasised. Mr Tifatul also welcomed Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim's proposal to enhance Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia as regional and international languages, saying they were spoken by almost 300 million people in the ASEAN region. Source by BERNAMA

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Malaysia-Indonesia Creative Industry

Can

Jointly

Develop

Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists Pledge To Enhance Bilateral Ties

BUKITTINGGI: Malaysian and Indonesian journalists today pledged to support proactively, the cordial relations between the two countries at all levels. The strengthening of relations is focused on people-topeople and government-to-government through social, economic and cultural activities. The statement of cooperation was included in the Bukittinggi Pledge document which was jointly signed by the two leaders of Malaysia-Indonesia Journalists Organisation (Iswami), namely Saiful Hadi Chalid (head of Indonesia Iswami) and Datuk Chamil Wariya (Iswami Malaysia deputy chairman). The signing was the final item of the Malaysia-Indonesia Journalist and Culture Experts Meeting. Malaysia's Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had earlier spoken at the opening ceremony which was officiated by Indonesian Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring. The five-point pledge covered enhancing cooperation between the media of the two countries and to act as a conflict resolving board when differences arose. They would also work closely to improving the status of Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia as the language of knowledge and civilisation in the region and the world. The pledge also seeks to find and forge similarities and understanding in global issues which threaten the sovereignity of the two countries. Lastly, they would cooperate to guide the behaviour of journalists to ensure fair and responsible journalism, especially on issues affecting both countries. For that purpose, Iswami would publish the Malaysian and Indonesian Journalist Code of Ethics. The historical meeting of journalists from the two countries saw leading figures and senior journalists, as well as culture experts from Malaysia and Indonesia, to discuss issues to further enhance bilateral ties. Among those present was former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin who had wide experience in journalism. Source by BERNAMA

BUKITTINGGI: Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim proposed that Malaysia and Indonesia jointly develop the creative industry to enhance the relationship between both countries. He said arts and culture can become a very good platform to unite races and community in both countries through strategic diplomacy initiatives. The cooperation can start from the production of animation products, documentary films and feature films that can enrich the culture, he said in a meeting with journalists and cultural observers from Malaysia and Indonesia here Saturday. "It does not matter whether we are politically different because in terms of culture, writers and journalists and cultural observers we are like skin and flesh," he said. Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim reiterated the need for Malaysian and Indonesian journalists and cultural observers to look for mutual understanding instead of procrastinating on the differences. "It is from this coalition that we can together feel and enjoy beauty and productivity of such initiatives," he said. Meanwhile, West Sumatera Governor Prof Dr Irwan Prayitno during his speech had also echoed a similar sentiment. Source by BERNAMA

Thai Economy May Grow by 4%

BANGKOK: Thailand's economy will likely grow by 4% this year, at the low end of the government's official forecast, and interest rates may stay flat for the rest of the year, a senior finance ministry official said. The projection comes just a week before the Finance Ministry is to release new forecasts and reflects the growing headwinds against Thailand's export-driven economy, South-East Asia's second biggest, as growth slows in Europe and the United States. It also underlines mounting tension between the government and the central bank, one of Asia's most hawkish with nine increases in benchmark interest rates to 3.5% since July last year to curb inflation. The economy should continue to grow this year. It may expand close to the low end of our forecast range, Mr Naris Chaiyasoot, Head of the Finance Ministry's Fiscal Policy Office, told Reuters. He was referring to a range of 4% to 5% growth projected by the Finance Ministry in June. His latest forecast is in line with the 4.1% growth predicted by the central bank and economists polled by Reuters. The economy expanded by 7.8% in 2010. Mr Naris expects the Bank of Thailand's benchmark oneday repurchase rate to stay at 3.5% this year. Source by Reuters

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Thailands Export Growth Hastens at Fastest Pace

BANGKOK: Thailand's export growth accelerated in July to the fastest pace in 13 months, boosted by demand for agricultural products and a recovery in auto shipments as supply disruption caused by the Japan earthquake eased. Overseas sales increased 38.3% from a year earlier, the Commerce Ministry said recetly. That compares with a 16.8% rise in June reported earlier. The median of nine estimates in a Bloomberg survey was for a 29.5% gain. The Bank of Thailand predicts the impact of the March 11 temblor will ease from this quarter as Japan, the nation's largest trading partner, recovers from the disaster. At the same time, faltering US and European recoveries are clouding the export outlook for Asian nations from South Korea to Singapore. Support from agricultural shipments, especially rice exports, should hold the month's exports in good stead, with base effects also partly inflating the year-on-year reading, Mr Radhika Rao, an economist at Forecast Pte in Singapore, said before the release. Thai imports rose 13.5% in July from a year earlier compared with a 26.1% gain reported earlier for June. Thailand had a trade surplus of US$2.8bil last month compared with a US$1.27bil surplus in June, according to the ministry's statement. The value of Thailand's exports reached a record US$21.5bil in July, Ms Yanyong Phuangrach, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, said at a briefing yesterday. Our economy will continue to rely on exports, Ms Yanyong said. But the new government's policies are focused on boosting local demand to help support the economy. This will help us to reduce the reliance on exports in the long term. Export growth in the second half might slow compared with the first half, Ms Yanyong said. Exports to Japan rose 23% and shipments to Europe surged 35.5% while exports to the United States grew 8.1%, yesterday's data showed. Exports to China jumped 83.8%, according to the ministry's statement. Agricultural exports jumped 53.5%, led by rice, rubber and cassava products. Auto and electronics shipments both grew 15.6%, contributing to 34.9% growth in industrial exports, the report showed. Thailand's gross domestic product rose 2.6% in the three months through June from a year earlier, after climbing 3.2% in the previous quarter. Source by Reuters

IMT-GT Meetings in October, November & December 2011

4th Meeting of the Working Group on Tourism
Venue : Thailand

18th IMT-GT Senior Officials Meeting

Venue : Medan, Indonesia

18th IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting

Venue : Medan, Indonesia

8th Chief Ministers & Governors Forum

Venue : Medan, Indonesia

CIMT Bulletin Editorial Team

ADVISOR Dr Hassan Ibrahim hassan@imtgt.org

TEAM MEMBERS Ritzwan Reza Ibrahim reza@imtgt.org Hamiliana Ali Nurshiela Ismail hamiliana@imtgt.org shiela@imtgt.org

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