The Breakfast Grille

Ben Gomes, Vice President and Google Fellow at Google Inc., discusses:  - In years spent developing Search - the biggest challenges you faced - learning points;  - Adwords - downsides: manipulating search results - search engine optimization (SEO) industry - whether one of the unfortunate consequences of creation;  - Keeping search algorithms secret - difficulty;  - Changing search algorithm - time, money and effort spent - how successful has it been; - 2011 - overhaul of search algorithm - 'Google’s Panda Update' - successful?  - Concern, - transition from a search quality perspective to a user happiness perspective;  - Apple's Siri - How Google is fighting back;  - The future of search - based on context, not on queries;  - Whether much more user input is needed in the forms of metrics and preferences - the need for a second layer of detail;  - Android phones - handicapped - inability to upgrade - how working to overcome;  - Court ruling against Samsung in favor of Apple - copyright infringements - impact on Voice Search;  - Concern: the extent of information that Google know about us;  - Whether Google will one day turn this against the very people they currently seek to serve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelvin Tan the CEO of Southeast Asia for the Columbia Asia Group discusses its unique business proposition, bringing fast and efficient service and value-for-money treatment to residential areas in Malaysia. He talks about how their hospitals are relatively smaller in comparison to other private hospitals and how this makes them run more efficiently and helps keep costs down. Columbia Asia's patients stay and average of only two days in their hospitals, due to advances in medical technology and non-invasive treatment. And with 10 medical facilities thoughout Malaysia already, Columbia Asia is bullish on expanding as Kelvin talks about their expansion plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Clare Head of Country Management for market expansion service provider DKSH, discusses the Malaysian business: its operations, challenges within the industry and the opportunities for growth.  Also, recently DKSH released the Second Global Market Expansion Services Report, in a joint effort with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. In the interview, he discusses some of the key findings from the report and what that means for the DKSH and the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auditor General of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Haji Ambrin Buang, discusses: --  why there was a delay in releasing the report --  if the Budget and A-G's Report will continued to be separated --  the process of auditing the government and the challenges --  why weaknesses in project planning, procurement of equipments, handling of contracts, and maintenance, were repeated each year despite being reprimanded by the Auditor General --  if there is a common perception that the public service seems to be indifferent to the audit findings and suggestions, and that it does not seem to learn from past mistakes --  ministries, agencies and departments that showed marked improvements in this year’s report --  remedial action of past years’ reports See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has been emerging from the shackles of a Communist era to welcome foreign investors and trade partners. The market of 142 million people is irresistible and Singapore has been actively promoting trade between both countries and has direct flights. Malaysia appears to be behind the game. Lyudmila Vorobyeva, Russian ambassador to Malaysia, and Russia's only woman ambassador, talks about the opportunities and staunchly defends President Vladimir Putin, and the countrys' record of corruption, barriers of doing business, and quality of medical education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Heatherwick, the designer of the London Olympics cauldron, the Seed Cathedral for the UK pavilion in the World Expo Shanghai, and London's double decker bus talks about his inspiration and design philosophy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Simon Foong, the managing director and CEO of Aquaria KLCC, shares the story of how an oceanarium -- right in the heart of KL -- came to be.  He also discusses:  -- the initial capital investment -- the design and construction of Aquaria -- revenue from ticket and retail sales -- expenditure on maintainance of the tanks, pumps and marine life -- how Aquaria gets the animals and fishes -- if they breed or mate the animals -- getting the right staff: aquarists, marine biologists, etc -- Aquaria's conservation campaigns: ‘Saving the Turtles’ and ‘Save Our Fins’  -- his plans for 'Rimbaria' and what else is in store for AquariaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al-Rajhi Bank has established 25 banks in Malaysia. Financing and advances is RM3.7 billion as at end-2011. Total assets is RM6.1 billion. But profits are still small - RM472,000 in 2011, and reserves is a negative RM243 million. How will Al-Rajhi differentiate itself under Datuk Azrulnizam Abdul Aziz, the CEO who was appointed in early 2012? And will the US Senate findings that Al-Rajhi group had financed terrorist organisations curtail its expansion beyond Malaysia? (Al-Rajhi denies involvement in such activities)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Jeffrey Ng Chin Heng, Managing Director of LBI Capital Berhad, gives us an update on their current projects in Bandar Saujana Putra, Petaling Jaya, Johor, and Puchong, among others. He also discusses the company's landbank, following the acquisition of land in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as his outlook on the overall property market.  Click on the link to watch the video of the interview! http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26179276See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

K.H Lim, Managing Director, SGL Carbon Sdn. Bhd., discusses:  - How SGL - addressing global problems like energy efficiency, finding alternative energy sources or protecting the climate; - August 2006 - announced Banting - electrode plant - expanded to include cathodes production - background to decision to locate in Malaysia; - Banting production as a percentage of global sales target; - Additional 32 acres of land near existing facility that may be developed in the future to produce carbon based advanced materials - issues; - SGL Carbon was been given 10-year tax free incentives by the government to set up the facility in Banting - benefits to Malaysia; - Steel industry - consolidation - China FTA - upstream monopoly - issues; - BCG - recommendation of a steel council - issues; - SGL as a desired asset - BMW has 15% - Volkswagen has 8.18% - Susanne Klatten - heiress of the Quandt family has 26 per cent - issues; - Malaysia as springboard to Asia -- why - how - when - where - details; - How does KL - Malaysia lend itself as a springboard; - Whether spooked by political uncertainty - crime - rising costs - other issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

H&M, a Swedish brand and the world's second largest fast fashion retailer plays catch up with Zara and finally comes to Malaysia. Known for its affordable and fashionable clothes and large format stores, H&M differentiates by collaborating with designers, fashion names like Anna Dello Russo, and celebrities like David Beckham. Lex Keijser, the Country Manager of Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia tells what's in store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Chew, the Executive Director of Main Board-listed industrial rubber hose manufacturer, Wellcall Holdings.  He explains Wellcall's business proposition and their approach to competition & growth. Alex also talks about the company's expansion plans, after announcing in June that it was planning to buy an additional 8 acres of lands near its existing factory. Wellcall has a dividend policy of 50% but over the past few years, they've paid up to 98% of profits in dividends to shareholders. So can Wellcall sustain its dividends, what with the factory expansion over the next few quarters? Listen to the podcast to find out more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Mazalan Kamis, the CEO of the Malaysian Innovation Foundation / Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM). He discusses how YIM plans to promote creativity and innovation at the grassroots level. He also shares his thoughts on rote learning in the education system and YIM's afforts to get children to be more creative, innovative and to think laterally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sathis Manoharan, Regional Head for AirAsia & AirAsia X Cargo. He discusses how AirAsia Cargo got started, despite it being unconventional for a low cost carrier to have a cargo division. He also shares how he was roped in to head the AirAsia Cargo, even without any aviation or freight experience, and the steep learning curve that came with setting up a business from the ground up. With the acute turnaround time of low-cost carriers, we learn of the processes that were put in place to harmonise the passenger and cargo operations. Find out how Mumbai's Dabawallas gave him the idea to improve the handling process and drastically reduce human errors. You can also view the interview at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26018298See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yaw Seng Heng, Managing Director for Nippon Paint Malaysia discusses the growth of the business in the decorative, industrial, and marine & protective coatings segment. He shares Nippon Paint's strategies to increase its market share and how they've managed to claim the No.1 spot in the decorative paint industry. Yaw also touches on the company's expansion into Bangladesh & Pakistan, challenges faced in those markets and how Nippon plans to grow in those countries. You can also view a video of  the interview at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26000176See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimlun Corp Bhd CEO Sim Tian Liang on the Breakfast Grille.  He discusses its construction and manufacturing business and its strong orderbook of RM1.8bil. Sim also talks about how Iskandar Malaysia and IBS projects will continue to drive the construction division and touches on future prospects in Singapore. KimLun will also launch their maiden property project in Cyberjaya -- Sim reveals his expectations for the project and why Cyberjaya could be the next property hotspot. Finally, he shares his thoughts on the proposal by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to set up a Construction Court to resolve construction-sector disputes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is far behind countries like South Korea and Japan in terms of design. Dato Professor Dr Ahmad Rahim Zainuddin, the Chairman of the Malaysian Design Council, explains why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaun Di Gregorio, CEO of the iProperty Group discusses iProperty's business proposition and why the model works here.  He shares with us some key findings from the latest iProperty survey: What are Malaysians looking for? Where are they looking at? What's the sentiment in the property market?  Shaun also talks about why affordability is still a key concern and if the property initiatives announced in Budget 2013 will address these issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cocoaland Holdings is in the stage of an investment up-cycle. Planned capex is RM30 million, and annual capacity will be 4 million kg. According to AmResearch, earnings is expected to jump 65% to RM35 million in FY13. It is possible that sales and market valuation may double in five years, Tai Chun Wah, the finance director of Cocoaland, says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post-Budget 2013 panel discussion on the Breakfast Grille with Melewar Industrial Group CEO, Azlan Abdullah and Deloitte Malaysia Country Tax Leader, Yee Wing Peng. Listen to their analysis on the initiatives and incentives that were announced, as well as their thoughts on what did NOT make it into the budget. You can also watch the video at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25832319See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Ahmad Zaini OthmanPresident and CEOof the financier,Malaysia Building Society Bhd.,  andYvonne Tan,Equities Chief Investment Officer ofthe investment management company,Eastspring InvestmentDiscuss Budget 2013 expectations, including: - Fiscal deficit - Govt debt - Corporate and Personal taxes - SME development - Financial Sector lieralisation - Affordable housing and property - Domestic Consumption - sustainable economic growth - issues - Sin sectors: alcohol, gaming and tobaccoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Kumar Tharmalingam, CEO of Malaysia Property Incorporated, discusses: -- MPI's mandate to drive investments in real estate into Malaysia and its role as a matchmaker between foreign investment queries and local property players -- The international perception of Malaysian real estate -- Competition from other real estate markets, in terms of attracting FDIs -- MPI's report card and KPIs -- Issues/concerns that potential investors have brought up previously about the Malaysian property market -- Liveability in Malaysia; concerns over crime and safety -- The perception that foreign buyers are impacting Malaysian property prices -- His thoughts on if investors are putting off, or cautious about, buying into Malaysian real estate until after the elections -- What's on his Budget 2013 wish listSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lars Kroijer, Author of Money Mavericks: Confessions of a Hedge Fund Manager former CEO of Holte Capital, discusses: - Beginning a hedge fund - difficulties of raising capital; - Raising capital in today's risk environment; - Managing fickle investors; - Miimum AUMs to start hedge fund today; - Investing Strategy as USP; - Trading strategies; - Fees - reforms; - Regulation - developments; - The Next Big Thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Peter Zemsky, the Deputy Dean of Degree Programmes and Curriculum at INSEAD, the international graduate business school. He discusses: -- If enrolment for MBA programmes have dropped as a result of the global slowdown and if B-School applications are directly proportionate to economic health -- Which countries the applicants of the MBA programmes are they coming from, at which level of their career, and the average age of applicant -- If MBAs and salaries matchup in Asia, and specifically Malaysia -- How the new Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) has exceeded its expected number of admissions by 40% for the upcoming academic year -- The importance of Asia to the GEMBA programme -- How big the executive education business is for INSEAD -- Why INSEAD chose to introduced a new Singapore-designed admissions exam the first time this year as an alternative to the Graduate Management Admission Test -- How INSEAD maintain its rankings -- The challenges the school faces in getting the right faculty members and how its working to develop local teaching talentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vikram Chakravarty, co-author of 'Asian Mergers & Acquisitions : Riding the Wave' discusses how deal activity is on the rise in Asia, while comparing the differences between M&A in Asia and in the West. As outlined in the book, Vikram delves into how M&As can transform GLCs in Asia. He also touches on the post merger intergration, as clashes in culture have crashed many an M&A before.  Authors Vikram Chakravarty and Chua Soon Ghee are partners at AT Kearney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pandelela Rinong Pamg, national diver, first Malaysian woman Olympics medalist, and K-pop lover, talks about her journey, and the sacrifices of a champion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blaupunkt Group CEO Dr Lars Placke discusses:  - Current status of Malaysia manufacturing hub - Penang - skills - tax breaks - ease of doing business issues;  - Value chain - current - future;  - R&D - Moving to Malaysia - New Plant in Penang - Investment details: - plans invest total >12 million euros further expansion of activities Asia-Pacific;  - Challenges - rising costs;  - Japan Bank for International Cooperation (“JBIC”) survey - Malaysia lags Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam - ranking potential destinations for Japanese manufacturing expansion - response;  - Structure of deals with carmakers - requirements - specs - installation - expertise - client management;  - Recent deals - Bentley - insights - how deals with different classes and makes are structured - levels of customisation;  - “Entry-Level” standard image - response;  - Car Radios - Shift in focus towards Entry-level & Upper Mid consumers - Plans to move up to higher-end;  - Expansion - navigation systems - Tablets - Phones - WiFi hotspots - issues;  - Re-entry into headphones segment - competing with the Sennheisers, Shure - reasons - issues;  - Bosch alliance - supplier for coach installations - status - update;  - North American alliance - Rockford Fosgate - exclusive distribution rights - car multimedia and headphone range - North American market - issues;  - New directions: R&D;  - Product development - direction;  - Joint Ventures - India & China;  - Positioning - new markets - India and China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Russell, CEO of Boh Plantations, tells how she is keeping the 80+ year old brand relevant in the face of more competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview,  SEG International Founder/GMD Dato' Seri Clement Hii discusses:  - Transformation from Journalist to Businessman; - Failed Navis privatisation of SEGI - issues;  - Stint as Deputy Executive Chairman at Star Publications Bhd.; - Education blueprint - execution - political will - implementation; - SYF Resources - plans - issues; - Business climate - confidence - elections - issues; - Management philosophy - 'Johnny Comes Lately' approach - letting others make the mistakes;  - Plans - Business Newspaper - 'Focus Malaysia' -- issues;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC): --  gives an update on MSC Malaysia, clusters and companies;  --  discusses MDeC's process in the awarding of grants; --  the stacking strategy for the InfoTech cluster; --  performance of the Creative Multimedia cluster; --  the roll-out of Digital Malaysia and how it's different from MSC Malaysia; --  Digital Malaysia's three strategic thrusts; --  the eight projects under the Digital Malaysia initiative: how were they earmarked, how it will be implemented, and who will manage them; --  measuring the performance and success of Digital Malaysia; --  and he also shares his thoughts on Section 114A of the Evidence ActSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) is an operational unit of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. It assists foreign companies wishing to establish their business in the Netherlands and to take advantage of the Dutch business environment as a strategic base to cover Europe. Karin Rancuret, the Area Director for Southeast Asia for NFIA, discusses the report card on investment pledges into the Netherlands, and which are the target sectors in Malaysia. She touches on some of the challenges that Malaysian businesses face when considering to invest in the Netherlands, e.g. the cultural differences, understanding labour regulations, EU tax structure, etc.  Rancuret gives us a preview on the key attractions, as well as the country's comparative advantage to other EU nations. She also talks about the impact of the Eurozone crisis on FDI flow into the Netherlands, and the country's relationship with other EU countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

i-Bhd CEO, Datuk Eu Hong Chew, discusses: - 2004 decision to exit appliances into property; - Positioning in 'digital cities'; - i-City development - flagship and only ongoing development -- old project - dating since 2005 - issues; - Only 15 per cent has been developed -- MSC, Pakatan effect; - Leisure element; - Landbanking - lack thereof; - Shareholders - - Sumurwang - Permodalan Nasional Berhad - patience; - Maiden project - KL; - 'Analysis paralysis' - slow - whether missed the property rally of 2009-2011; - Whether M&A plans -- property sector consolidation; - Shares: Zero liquidity - earnings pretty flat - little or no dividends -- outlook - issues; - TS Lim Kim Hong - major owner - plans - views Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, founder of Rampai Niaga, the sole franchise holder for The Body Shop in Malaysia. She shares with us her story of how she started out getting involved in The Body Shop and how businesses be both profit driven and socially conscientious.  Datin Mina also discusses The Body Shop's recent rebranding efforts, tagged 'Beauty With Heart', and how the brand has managed to stay true to founder Anita Roddick's ethos. She also speaks passionately about the worthy causes supported by The Body Shop Malaysia: it is actively involved in the issue of HIV/AIDS, championing of women’s rights and protection of the environment, among others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunway Medical Centre CEO Lau Beng Long discusses: - Profit turnaround; - Drivers to the Malaysian healthcare sector; - Whether size and scale matter - IHH - Apollo - etc - versus Sunway: sole hospital; - Reports of poor quality of medical graduates - issues; - Doctors as freelancers: whether this is problematic; - Costs - salaries - rising wage inflation - extent affecting P&L; - Management of doctor egos - not a doctor; - Healthcare industry reform - rising healthcare costs - burgeoning out-of-pocket (OOP) private health payments; - EBITDA margins - comparison with other local and regional hospitals; - Tucked away in the division named ‘strategic investments’ among a gamut of other businesses (leisure, quarrying, building materials, trading and manufacturing - whether invisible; - Whether with the massive potential in healthcare there are concerted plans to spin out, build into a bigger player.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BFM turns Four! And to celebrate our anniversary, David Chew, Khoo Hsu Chuang and Melisa Idris 'grille' the founder and managing director of BFM, Malek Ali.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IHH Healthcare Berhad MD Dr. Lim Cheok Peng discusses: IPO: - Cornerstone investors - bought 58 per cent of your IPO - merits to their financial stability and prestige - sheer number - 22 - a record - Why so many; - Lockup period - issues; - Minuscule allocation for retail portion - criticism - issues; BUSINESS: - Scale - merits - demerits; - And at an issue price of 2.80 ringgit, IHH debuted at a valuation of 93 times PE, similar to Facebook - issues; - Growth assumptions - issues; - Already paying about 75% of the capital expenditures for new beds - impact on earnings; - Turkey (37.5%), Singapore (36.9%) and Malaysia (21.5%) comprise the biggest revenue contributions (95.9% of revenue) - extent to which this mix is malleable -- whether SG and Turkey will remain as main; - In SG, trending towards single-bed wards -- whether regulatory - issues; - Dependence on private practitioners to develop practise within premises for Malaysian and Singaporean operations - issues; - Competition - Connexion One & Raffles Medical in Singapore - Singapore Healthcare 2020 Masterplan; - 42 per cent costs are on staff: specifically, doctors -- availability and affordability - key and potential limitations; - Suitable and qualified nurses, ancillary help - issues; - Latest results announcement - underlying growth - issues; - Dividends - issues; M&A - Whether plan to increase to 100 per cent, stakes in Turkish Acibadem Group from 60 per cent now; - And what of associate stakes in Apollo in India; - Acquisitions - MY - CH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khazanah Nasional and Iskandar Investment provided the initial investment of RM720 million for Legoland to position Johor as an amusement park destination. Does the economics make sense for Malaysia? Siegfried Boerst, the General Manager is interviewed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preeminent architect and urban planner Dato' Sri Lim Chong Keat, the youngest brother of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, recollects the former Penang Chief Minister's early and formative days of Penang politics in the 1950s and 1960s. The younger Lim also recollects Tun Lim's exit from the MCA and subsequent and primary role in forming Gerakan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyer, Tan Poh Lai, talks about her father Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon who despite growing up in abject poverty and not having the use of one eye became a famous doctor and leading opposition figure in the 1950s to 1970s. He was head of the now defunct Labour Party, and co-founded Gerakan, and was one of the founders of Universiti Malaya. His involvement in the opposition victory parade in Selangor that subsequently instigated the May 13th riots did not stop him from fighting against non-communal politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country’s political landscape might have been different had Tun Sir HS Lee not persuaded MCA to join Umno in the Alliance Party coalition instead of Dato’ Onn Jaafar’s Independence of Malaya Party. Lee was one of the founding fathers of Malaysia, and its first finance minister. In 1957, however, he was defeated in the Selangor MCA presidential election, and two years later, he stepped down as finance minister. It was said that he had wanted more equal economic opportunities for the Chinese community, while others said he was too uncompromising with his demands. His eldest son and retired businessman, Dato’ Douglas KK Lee, tells us what HS was like as a person and leader, and his memories when independence was declared.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FJ Benjamin is the brand owner of Raoul, and distributor of Gap, Guess, Celine, and a range of timepieces like Girard Perregaux and Bell & Ross, in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Nash Benjamin, the CEO of FJ Benjamin, talks about his portfolio strategy for the next 10 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the most significant components that make Malaysia what it is today, was introduced during the tenure of the second prime minister. In spite of his brief tenure, the many attributes of Malaysia -- be it social, political or economical -- were Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein's handiwork. Under Tun Abdul Razak's premiership, the country saw the launch of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the establishment of Petronas, a national education system under the Razak Report, and the abolishment of local government elections. Tun Abdul Razak's former press secretary, Ahmad Mustapha Hassan, talks about what it was like working with Malaysia's second PM and the man's vision for the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aston Martin's Asia Pacific Regional Director Dr Matthew Bennett discusses:- Reasons for entry - Malaysia;- Whether late to the game; - JV with Berjaya; - Addressable market; - Market data - research; - Sales approach - Asia generally; - Targets - Malaysia; - Aston making far fewer cars than its peak in 2007 - issues; - Brand competition - rolls/Bentley/Ferrari etc - sales positioning; - Worldwide numbers - weak -- bad News In Home Market - Almost Non-existent in US - issues; - ‘Bond Factor’?; - Malaysia: grey importers - huge competition - cannibalism - price comparison - issues; - Sales and service support - investments - capex - ability - fees; - Depreciation / residual values - issues; - Brand equity; - AP system - allocation - role of politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University, and founder of Connexions talks about the future of online education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability for New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL) Group Director, Dr.Simon Lord discusses: - Reportedly poor uptake of sustainable palm oil - demand issues; - RSPO - efforts - gauge; - Green Palm certificates - whether copout - stop gap; - Buyers - whether trend away from certificates approach; - Changing nature of consumption - new users - India and China; - Government - reducing trade levies - effect - issues - China and India; - Indonesia - own ISPO certification - issues; - ISPO is mandatory - RSPO is voluntary - issues; - Biodiesels - RSPO - coverage; - New Britain Palm Oil as leading producer of sustainable palm oil - investment issues - commercia appeal - issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof Tham Siew Yean is a professor in international trade and a principal research fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She has research interests and publications in foreign direct investment, economic integration and trade in services. In the interview, Prof Tham examines the trade's contributions to growth in Malaysia, current challenges confronting the international trade of Malaysia, and the sort of policies should Malaysia pursue to harness trade. She also dicusses the impact of FTAs and open trade with ASEAN, as well as her thoughts on how Malaysia can make that jump from a 'factory economy' to a 'headquarter economy'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Group M CEO and Leader of Mindshare Malaysia, Girish Menon discusses:  - Overall health - Malaysia advertising spend; - Contrast with supposedly cooling economy - whether disconnect; - Astro's return to the stock exchange; - Catalysts - local media landscape- Growth areas - print - Mandarin - Maly vernacular;- Dynamics: Chinese - Malay newspapers; - Drop in English literacy - issues; - Nielsen raings - flaws; - Marketing Trends - rise of social Media - data not captured by Nielsen adex data - implications - planning - forecasting; - 'Paid' - 'owned' - 'earned' architecture - issues; - Digital - TV combination - success - issues; - Digital media adoption - challenges - issues; - Digital media - ad spend - versus overall - lags developed markets - reasons; - Owned ad network - details - issues; - Coming elections -- issues re confidence - ad spend - reluctance; - Popular culture - measurability - alignment; - Group M over-aligning with Astro - issues; - Working culture - advertising - burnout - stress - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American-born author and Beijing-based consultant Robert Koepp discusses his new book, 'Betting on China: Chinese Stocks, American Stock Markets, and the Wagers on a New Dynamic in Global Capitalism'.  He explores the reasons and the means by which China, America, and the global economy reap enormous gains from the process of Chinese companies issuing equity shares on US stock markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autodesk is an American multinational corporation that focuses on 3D design software for use in the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. V.R Srivatsan, the managing director for Autodesk's Asean business, discusses the business proposition in Asean, the surrounding eco-system and its channel partners. He also discusses some challenges Autodesk faces, and its move to tap into the consumer market, with mobile applications Sketchbook and Pixlr-O-Matic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Ng, Managing Director Malaysia & Brunei, DHL Express. He discusses: --  the impressive QoQ growth registered by DHL Express --  where most of its international shipments coming from, and where are they bound for --  if the slowdown in China,  prolonged turmoil in Europe and the slow pickup of the US economy has given them cause for concern --  if there any routes you don't serve --  how shipments throughout the country are directed through the four main gateways: KLIA and the Subang, Penang and Kuching airports --  the addition of the new North Asia hub in Pudong, Shanghai to other hubs in Southeast Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok --  why DHL is focusing on international deliveries in China, as opposed to tapping into the booming domestic express delievery market --  why Malaysia didn't make the cut as a hub for DHL Express --  his expectations on the impact from the ETP projects --  targeting SMEs --  reinvesting in the company: Last year, DHL Express invested over RM8mil in new vehicles and IT systems, if this is to continue this year --  key challenges he faces in the Malaysian logistics industry --  the contingency plans in place operationally, in the event of airport delays/closures, road flooding, social unrest, etc --  if there are any issues with clearing delieveries through customs --  nuances he has learnt working with Malaysian customs  --  impact of fuel volatility on business --  potential impact of petrol subsidy rationalisation on ground transport operations --  how DHL Express is reducing its carbon footprintSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.