The Breakfast Grille

Nestle Malaysia Bhd Managing Director Peter Vogt discusses: - Thai floods - Nestle's production exposure - potential impact on Malaysia business; - Product lines most hit; - Mitigation efforts; - Price hike - materials cost increase; - Strategy - lock-in - buy needs at spot -- percentage of needs to be bought; - Double-dip issues - Flight to safe(r) assets - Swiss franc - USD - impact on costs - management decisions; - Weaker consumer sentiment in developed markets - falling demand from emerging markets; - Dividend outlook; - Overseas markets - robustness; - Marketing costs; - Ad spend; - RSPO - sustainability; - RSPO under threat: Malaysia Green Cert - Indonesia's Palm Oil Association withdrawn membership of RSPO.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhythm & Hues MD & Head of International Operations Prashant Buyyala discusses: - How it started; - What prompted its beginnings;  - What brought the co-founders together; - Revenue streams: visual effects - animation - commercial work; - Global production challenges - how time zones and language barriers are addressed; - Importance of technology - connection speeds; - Ratings of US - Indian - Malaysian talent - important traits; - How Malaysian talent rates; - The animation education system; - Appeal of diversity - international students; - Possibility of Asia overtaking Hollywood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Carl Bek-Nielsen, Vice Chairman of United Plantations, believes Malaysia should not follow Indonesia and pull out of the RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil), but says the government needs to review the taxes and quotas imposed on planters and oleochemical producers in view of Indonesia's move to cut refined palm oil exports. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, UP has invested in three biogas plants and will build more. But the development of biogas plants in Malaysia would only pick up if they are connected to the national grid so that energy can be sold to Tenaga. MPOB (Malaysian Palm Oil Board) is working on the grid connection with Tenaga. Planters can also sell carbon credits generated by biogas plants as a result of reducing carbon footprint but the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is questionable in view that carbon credit prices are at all time low, and there is no strong indication if the Kyoto Protocol will be renewed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venture Capitalist and Entreprenuer Naval Ravikant discusses: - Reasons for the dearth of global web companies from Asia-Pacific; - Attributes of a successful web entrepreneur; - The concept of failure - Whether he (or will) invest in Asia Pacific See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steffen Lauster, Chief Personnel Officer, Booz & Co, discusses: - Retail and consumption trends from an Asian perspective; - How Asian retailers can benefit from these trends; - The Eurozone crisis and its effect on global business;- The effect on global management consulting and (how it changes) the advice proferred; - Human capital issues: talent shortages - solutions; - The impact of social agendas and issues in upcoming talent, businesses and ideas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CIMB-Principal Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Noripah Kamso discusses: - Key differences between conventional asset management and Islamic asset management; - Global appeal of Islamic AM; - SC's MOU with Dubai and HK; - E&Y report on Islamic funds - only 30% of Islamic fund managers have assets under management of more than USD100M; - How successful would CIMB Principal be without AUM from Malaysian clients; - SWFs - lack of islamic allocation; - AUM - AUM growth; - Investment process; - Performance; - Percentage cash - invested right now; - Geographical investment segmentation; - Ratings - challenges; - Black Swan events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Thiam Hock, CEO and founder of Alliance Cosmetics, tells how he started in business, and then selling his shares to Navis Capital and Ekuinas, challenges working with private equity funds, and what makes a successful entrepreneur. Alliance is the brand owner of Silkygirl, Stage and SG Men, and distribute for Avene, Elancyl and Revlon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Seri Stanley Thai, Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director of Supermax Corporation, tells the glovemaker's strategy to penetrate the Chinese and South American markets. Acquisition of distributors could be one way to overcome barriers. Many obstacles lay ahead - corruption, healthcare laws, awareness, and import duties in Brazil. Chinese glovemakers are producing cheaper nitrile gloves than Malaysian manufacturers and so Stanley is still bullish on natural rubber gloves despite persistently high latex prices. About 70% of Supermax's sales is in natural rubber gloves but its production facility has the flexibility to switch to nitril glovemaking. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune Group Co-Founder Dato' Kamarudin Meranun discusses: - MAS - AIRASIA share swap; - Merger talks not being new - Khazanah's involvement; - Firefly - AA - competition - East Malaysia flights; - TS Tajudin Ramli - global out-of-court settlement issue; - Challenges: entrenched unions - 42 in total; - The 'dinosaurs' within MAS - staff culling;- Whether this means more expensive E Malaysia flights - Anti-Competition Commission; - Outright merger between MAS-AirAsia -- ingredients needed; - Political challenges of an outright MAS-AA merger; - Sapphire: whether still on cards; - Future of Firefly - room for premium short haul;- AJ (Ahmad Jauhari) and Danny (Rashdan) Yusoff - MAS management team - airline skills; - Tune Hotels - progress with opening plan; - Business plan - own land - Lease - Hotel managers; - Financials - profitability; - IPO - Details; - TUNE SPORTS - FORMULA ONE - Lotus name rights dispute; - Appeal process - Status;- Revenue potential;- Results expectations;- TUNE SPORTS - FOOTBALL - QPR- Reasons for purchase;- Reasons for Ecclestone's and Briatore's departures;- Opportunities with Lakshmi Mittal;- Synergies with Tony;- Some business plans being studied;- Criteria for qualification. Video streaming by Ustream   "Dato's Kamarudin Meranun, Tune Group Co-Founder talks about a social media platform idea that they have" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karma Ura, President of the The Centre for Bhutan Studies, discusses the various aspects of Gross National Happiness: - How and why GNH came about; - How GNH implemented in popular fabric; - Challenges in implementation; - Its meaning in today's age; - Faults with GDP; - How GNH overcomes these faults; - The role of money and economic value - position in GNH index; - How GNH affects policy; - GNH's eight major contributors to happiness; - Nebulous - problems therein; - Modernity creeping into Bhutan - challenges. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arvind Rajan, MD and Vice President of LinkedIn Asia Pacific and Japan, discusses: - LinkedIn proposition in Asia-Pac; - Revenue model; - Global userbase update - breakdown; - Traffic numbers; - Singapore - staff - AP targets - plans; - Target countries for growth; - Growth numbers - targets; - Whether M&A is on cards; - Tools / R&D apps - customised - AP; - Examples LinkedIn altering jobs landscape - recruiting process; - Whether data mining - conclusions; - Global roadmap for growth; - Positioning for the LT; - Whether US economy worries are hurting business - impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Sri Zukri Samat, Managing Director of Bank Islam, outlines how he has turned around the business, and his plans to grow the SME lending business. Right now 70% of the loan portfolio is in individual loans. He believes there are too many Islamic banks in Malaysia although the central bank has been giving out more Islamic bank licenses. For Bank Islam, he thinks there could be synergies merging with a bigger bank like Maybank, currently the biggest Islamic bank in the region. He also explains that the main difference between Islamic and conventional banking products is in the documentation of agreements.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bata Malaysia MD Luciano Bagnobianchi discusses: - Origins and history Bata in Malaysia; - Becoming a household name; - Multiple brands - details - positioning; - Buying patterns; - Demand now - outlook; - Branding impetus, positioning - 'uncool' status; - The quest for 'brand premium'; - Branch - retail presence - expansion - issues - rebranding; - Business costs: oil - rubber - textiles - challenges; - Rivals; - Designs - how - who - details; - Market share - plans to increase this; - Differentiators; - Production - outsourcing - China; - Outsourcing issues - challenges - quality; - Eurozone - impact - Bata; See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, Managing Director of Taxand Sdn Bhd, joins REHDA President Dato' Sri Michael Yam for a Post-Budget 2012 Panel Discussion. They discuss: - Concerns over Budget implementation; - Bright spots; - Property demand; - Fiscal policy, deficit, GST; - Growth expectations; - Elections expectations.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin and Teh Chi Chang tell what they think should be in Budget 2012 and highlights misallocation of resources by the government, and also battles it out on whether government linked companies and funds, which essentially can have access to lower cost of funding, cheap land and implicit financial backing, are crowding out opportunities for private businesses in mature businesses like education, healthcare and real estate. Mahani is CEO of ISIS (Institute of Strategic and International Studies) and council member of the now disbanded National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). Chi Chang is a former equities analyst with Maybank and Citibank, and is now Executive Director of REFSA (Research for Social Advancement).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chartis Malaysia Insurance Berhad CEO Matt Harris discusses: - Areas under property-casualty and general business; - Details of Malaysia business - premiums - other metrics; - Number of agents / brokers; - Number of policyholders; - The "science" of policy pricing; - Rankings update: market share, overall; - Ratio of consumer - commercial lines;- Claims ratios - comparison with industry; - New business areas: aviation, SME and households; - Motor insurance and interest in Kurnia; - Motor and third-party insurance issues - update on BNM talks; - Outstanding premiums currently; - New business premiums annually; - Investment management business; - Decrease in financial assets - reasons; - Decrease in MGS and of Cagamas - reasons; - Intermediaries as sales force - implications of not owning the client relationship;- Agent skill levels; - Challenges - targeting SME clients - mindset challenge; - Marketing commercial cover - disasters and events - catastrophe losses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HE Jorge Alberto Lozoya, Ambassador of Mexico, hopes to attract more Malaysian investments in to Mexico. Construction, infrastructure and luxury tourism are high potential areas. He also tells how the government is fighting the drug cartels and combating corruption. In the past five years, the drug war has claimed more than 30,000 lives including 80 journalists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Declan MacFadden, President of Symrise Asia Pacific, talks about popular trends in fragrances and flavourings, and new growth areas. Symrise is based in Germany and is among the four largest flavourmakers in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst discusses: - Efforts to further penetrate public sector-business in Malaysia;  - Expanding the product offering away from Operating Systems towards more Middleware, Virtualisation and Cloud; - Distribution challenges; - Global expansion; - Countries that drive this growth; - Customers - proposition for financials;- Overview of the US economy; - Implications of a Eurozone debt collapse on business / tech industry; - Recession possibilities - defensive nature of Open Source; See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mechai Viravaidya, founder of Population and Community Development Association and the Mechai Bamboo School, discusses the challenges and effective strategies in reducing poverty in Thailand. His bamboo school has gained significant attention from Temasek Foundation and the Gates Foundation for its progressive curriculum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Rogers, investor and former hedge fund manager, believes that the next global recession will be worse than in 2008 because the Fed and Eurozone is running out of bullets to deal with the recession. He says he may buy more of the Rogers commodities index. Malaysian stocks are on his radar but he will buy more when he is convinced that reforms are rolled out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OCBC Bank Malaysia Director & CEO Jeffrey Chew discusses: - OCBC Malaysia proposition; - Great Eastern - relationship with OCBC Malaysia;- OCBC Al-Amin business - Islamic banking outlook and prospects; - Branches - openings - competition; - CAR ratios - loans growth - targets; - Risk management - individuals exposure - variable rate loans; - Rates outlook; - Bad loans ratios- Growth targets; - Provisions outlook; - Rates - net margins - Risk management; - Housing loans - prices, demand outlook; - Cental bank measures - speculation; - Household debt - unsecured loans - wider issues; - Global concerns - core markets of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China - trade and export-oriented - whether slowing; - Prospects of liquidity crunch; - Budget outlook; - Financial sector liberalisation - mergers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glomac Bhd Group Managing Director and CEO, Datuk Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor, discusses: - Market positioning - ongoing projects; - Project rollout details in current fiscal year; - Existing projects: takeup rates; - Reports of cooling sales - feedback; - Status update of (delayed) Lakeside Puchong project; - Status update for Kelana Jaya commercial development and DU apartment project; - Status of plans for Putrajaya and Cyberjaya; - Raw material (steel, cement, labor) prices - outlook; - Sentiment; - Oversupply - Price correction issues; - Mitigating factors - ETP spending; - Greater KL-Klang valley focus; - Landbank - update - acquisition - details; - Pricing - location; - Positioning; - Budget expectations; - Wish list; - Dividend policy - outlook for 2012; - Plans to maintain profit growth; - Earnings outlook; - Property sector M&A; - Undervaluation concerns - buyout prospects; - ISA - PPPA - impressions; - Malay entrepreneurship - views - readiness - mentality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charles Ireland, Managing Director of Guinness Anchor Bhd discusses: - Outlook for earnings;- Slowing economy and consumption outlook; - Mitigating factors, catalysts - Rugby World Cup, Olympic games and Euro 2012 ; - Weakening USD, currency fluctuations, impact; - Branding - A&P; - Market share; - Black market - East Malaysia; - Government clampdown on smuggled beer; - Volume, percentage contribution from East Malaysia; - Size of potential opportunity; - Rising raw material costs, outlook; - Price outlook; - Hedging; - Taxes and duties, outlook; - Budget outlook; - Competition; - Dividends - policy, outlook; - Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerns, business outlook; See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teoh Su Yin, Head of Research for Malaysian and Asean at Deutsche Bank, expects Malaysia to slow down (GDP forecast 4.6% in 2011, 4.2% in 2012) due to softer external conditions, but it could be buffered by domestic demand. On the markets, she says Malaysia should be credited for outperforming other Asian markets in difficult years and while Indonesia has overtaken Malaysia in terms of size and growth, Malaysian companies have robust balance sheets and are invested in Asean. Budget 2012 is expected to contain goodies for the man-in-the-street like higher income thresholds for tax and rebates for the lower income group.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jean Cassegrain, CEO of Longchamp, talks about plans to grow the independent French luxury brand in emerging markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wong Siew Yap, Managing Director of Industrial gas firm MOX-Linde discusses: - Importance of industrial gases to industry;- Product spread; - Industries supplied to; - Life post-delisting - extent of German management influence;- Proportion of production allocated to export component; - Client industries of fastest growth; - How business plays into global mega-trends of Energy / Environment and Healthcare; - Clients - order book size; - Expansion plans in Malaysia - reasons; - Underlying industrial demand - sectors - details; - Outlook - drivers; - Power costs; - Funding - debt - cash - profit outlook - whether paent exit or relisting plans; - Slowing global demand; - Whether signs of a slowdown in any local sectors; - Eurozone issues: impact on German businesses and parent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Jalong, President of JOAS, talks about the problems faced by the indigenous communities in Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellcall Holdings Bhd Executive Director Alex Chew discusses: - Business outline - products - target sectors; - Clients: weighting - spread - over-reliance; - CAGR - demand growth; - Geography of clients; - Utilisation rates; - Volatility of rubber and raw material costs; - Outlook natural and synthetic rubber prices; - How mitigate high rubber prices; - Raising prices - quantum of increases - outlook for further raises; - Hedging; - Risk of global slowdown: Middle East and Asia make up around 40% of total revenues; - Implications of falling USD vs MYR; - Basis / explanation of how currency translation is computed;- Optimism of business as being "in a resilient sector"; - Outlook -- expectations for production expansion; - Extent of expansion and influence on future dividend payments; - Earnings growth; - Institutional shareholdings; - Research coverage; - Corporate exercises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Shigeru Nakamura, discusses: - Japan and Malaysia economic and bilateral ties; - Malaysia's proposition to Japan and vice-versa; - Details of ongoing Japanese investment into Malaysia; - March earthquake - tsunami - rebuilding - issues; - Nuclear - issues; - Relocation of Japanese production abroad and to SEA - issues; - Japan's economic problems - issues; - Japan's record fiscal deficit; - Japan's strong Yen - issues; - Japan's recovery economic efforts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cebu Pacific CEO Lance Gokongwei discusses: - Its early beginnings and and foray into the low-cost airline space;- Its full transition and re-fleeting into a full no-frills airline in 2005;- Views of full-service and whether its unpopularity is a portent of things to come;- Intense competition in the low-cost space;- How the DNA of a low-cost carrier and a full-cost carrier differs;- His views that the middle segment in air travel is disappearing;- His views of the share swap deal between AA and MAS;- Cebu's plan to internationalise;- Cebu Asia-Pacific's plan to buy 30 Airbus A321 Neo jets and the larger objective;- Southeast Asia's Open Skies Agreement;- Implications of a young fleet;- Why Airbus and not Boeing;- Slowing Asian economies and impact on Cebu's business;- Jet fuel: outlook - whether hedging at these levels;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia Media Group CEO and Founder Datuk Ricky Wong, discusses: - His business model; - The type of content that is being played; - What ads are being sold and who the advertisers are; - Types of other revenue generators; - Life as a Plc, - Concerns that AMedia might be perceived as a speculative stock;- Concerns over its hefty private placement; - His view that growth will outperform any dilution from the placement; - Plans for live transit TV broadcasting; - Capital needs and how it will finance it; - Klang Valley Transit TV by 2011: roadmap; - Plans to expand coverage to other public transport systems; - Regional expansion (Indonesia and Singapore; - Margins; - Plans to migrate to the main market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric G. Melin, Executive Vice President and Asia Pacific President, Nalco Company, discusses: - The challenge for Asian businesses of using less water for industrialisation; - The threats to consistent and reliable water supply for the average industrial user: population growth, industrialisation, agriculture and possibly climate change; - Asia's levels of concern in regards to cleaning and recycling water; - What sophisticated techniques are being deployed; - How much capital is deployed to ensure effective water management; - The role of water in energy generation, and specifically in attempting to extract oil and gas shale; - In oil shale extraction, the potential damage to the environment and water contamination; - Potential damage to the environment from fracking; - Whether shale fracking can be done in an environmental and economical way; - What he makes of France's ban on fracking.- The business opportunities for companies like Nalco and competition from heavyweights like GE, Coke and IBM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vale Manufacturing Malaysia Director Marcelo Figueiredo discusses: - The reason for choosing Malaysia to build its distribution centre, jetty and shared services hub; - Why Perak and not Selangor - PTP in Johor - Port Klang - even Singapore or Hong Kong; - Impact for Perak: sope and size of plans, investment value; - Repercussions in terms of jobs - skills transfer - contracts; - Stage of completion; - Status of land sales to KYM and KYM's future involvement; - Status of discussions with Integrax to use their Lekir port as a transshipment terminal; - Reports of a 677m rgt award to Netherlands-based BAM group to construct a jetty; - WCT's earthworks contract; - Other repercussions on other listed Malasyian companies; - Long-term demand and price outlook; - The risk of over-relying on Asian demand; - Risk assessment of global demand and credit to shrink. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sanjit Bunker Roy, founder of Barefoot College, tells how the college empowers communities in need in rural villages in India through its solar panel project.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BFM Merdeka Series: Deva Kunjari Sambanthan, daughter of Tun Sambanthan. Kunjari discusses: - Memories of her father, such as his bedtime stories of a Lion King and his humility; - That Malaysia's first leaders based the principles of freedom on (racial) solidarity;- Memories of the Government's ban in the 1950s on the lion dance and racial tension; - The unequal standing of Indians at the time; - How much MIC has changed in 60 years;- Current position of Indian community as measured against Tun Sambanthan's vision of inclusion and sovereignty in 1957;- Whether the Indian community feels they are increasingly marginalised; - Whether Indian community feels there are viable alternatives to the MIC; - Fragmentation and whether this is the Malaysian Indian's biggest problem;- The Hindraf outburst; - The Cow's head incident; - Whether feels any of today's Indian-based leaders are capable;- What do Malaysian Indians most want; - What is the most galling omission for Indians in Malaysia;   "Deva Kunjari Sambanthan, Daughter of Tun Sambanthan tells us her wishes for this country"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Siok Choo talks about the values her grandfather, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and her father, Tun Tan Siew Sin, stood for, and the relevance of MCA and concerns about religious extremism. "Tan Siok Choo, Granddaughter of Tun Tan Cheng Lock gives us her merdeka message."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tunku Munawirah Putra talks about her grandfather Tunku Abdul Rahman and the values he stood for, and about reverting to English medium schools, and giving schools a choice to teach Math and Science in English. Tunku Muna is honarary secretary of PAGE (Parent Action Group for Education). "Tunku Munawirah Putra, Granddaughter of Tunku Abdul Rahman tells us what was her grandfathers vision for the country and what were the 2 fondest memories of him. She also adds-on on how vital is it for maths and science to be thought in english which is shared by Tunku Abdul Rahman himself"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CSF Group of Companies President and CEO Adrian Yong discusses: - Staff - HQ - storage space - company USPs; - Customer concerns: Power and Security; - Malaysia opportunities; - Bumiputra ownership; - Malaysia market share; - Doubling data centre capacity; - Indonesia and Vietnam expansion; - Expansion strategy; - Underserved Malaysian market; - Drivers; - Challenges - downturn - rates compression; - Customers - industry - segmentation; - Aims to triple profits by 2013; - AIMS listing; - Dividend; - Heavy capital needs, technology obsolescence; - Margins defensibility; - Margin outlook upon expansion; - Asia mirror listing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Siow Der Ming, Head of Franchise Division and Head of International Branding at Poh Kong Holdings Bhd, discusses: - Gold prices and business in Poh Kong's shops; - Branch opening roadmap; - Breakdown of business between gold jewellery - diamonds - gemstones; - Cost per store opening; - Growth by franchise; - Staffing as a challenge; - Theft as a challenge; - Outlook for gold prices; - Whether gold in ringgit terms has risen as much as it has in USD terms; - Whether competition from Gold ETFs and Gold Savings Accounts; - Buying trends: platinum, silver, gemsets;- Customers, competition and branding as a challenge; - Margins; - Inventory value; - Lack of visibility, coverage.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philips Group of Companies Malaysia Managing Director Lee Weng Seong discusses: - Its three global businesses of Consumer Lifestyle, Lighting and Healthcare; - Its Malaysian presence since the late 1930s, extent of product line; - Marketing, technical and application support as its main Malaysia roles; - Philips investment in Malaysia and Penang LED factory; - Malaysia market share, main competition; - Global plan to lift margins to 12 percent by 2013, sales growth of 6 percent- achievability for Malaysia; - Philips' culture of innovation; - Huge competition from the Koreans, Japanese, German and American players; - Whether expected deep cuts will affect R&D spend; - Branding; - Environmental push; - When CFLs and LEDs might become affordable; - Huge spending cuts (following its biggest losses in 10 years) and impact on morale in Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Hagger, Head of Malaysian Equities, Credit Suisse discusses: - Huge market volatility and Malaysia's stock market; - Program trades and fundamentals; - Risk appetites; - Malaysia's defensive nature; - MAS - AirAsia deal; - Privatisations; - Corporate earnings; - Non-bumi CEOs in GLCs; - Govt divestment program; - Fiscal deficit; - Elections; - Govt "leakages"; - Opposition - and downsides of a two-party system; - What he is most long on; - What he is most short on.   "Stephen Hagger, Head of Malaysian Equities of Credit Suisse talks about why he is quite cool on the plantation sector although being a huge revenue earner for Malaysia and which planters does he keep an eye on.And in the stock market, Stephen talks about which stocks he expects to rebound sharply."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courts Asia CEO Terry O'Connor discusses: - Number of stores in Singapore and in Malaysia; - Expansion plan; - Decision tree in expansion planning, closure; - Ratio of country contribution to revenue; - Key differences between Singapore and Malaysia market; - Electronics as focal point for building the Malaysia business; - Tactics behind 'growing' a successful product line; - The furniture business; - Margins; - Financing scheme; - Default rates; - Market positioning and accompanying challenges; - How positioning to meet this challenge; - Recruitment policies; - Its 2007 ownership change and PE buyout; - Planned IPO; - Revenues - profits - margins - debt levels - receivables; See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Edleson, President of Alila Hotels and Resorts, talks about his entrepreneurial journey and how to create a successful brand in luxury hospitality. Alila differentiates itself with a contemporary architecture. In Malaysia, Sabah and Langkawi are potential spots for Alila. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Italian Ambassador Folco de Luca Gabrielli discusses: - Eurozone and Euro challenges and Italy's Role within- Eurozone and Euro challenges; - Ramifications of the ECB's intervention in the Italian debt market;  - How he rates the measures taken so far to stave off panic: a second package for Greece and a bond-purchase fund; - Whether there should be a ceiling for the ECB's bond-buying program; - The ECB president and imminent departure when Trichet leaves in October; - Chances for more downgrades for Eurozone nations; - Italy's SME sector and their decision to 'stay small and beautiful'- Italy's challenges: high public debt - economic disparity - political reform - importing energy needs - bureaucracy- corruption - organised crime; - Il Cavaliere: Silvio Berlusconi. "From the North's industrial triangle to the South's subsistence agriculture, Italian Ambassador H.E. Folco de Luca Gabrielli speaks about the differences between North and SouthItaly, differences between Malaysia and Singapore through his eyes and whether football truly is a unifying tie that binds Italy together."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Hafsah Hashim, CEO of SME Corp, tells how the agency is growing the SME sector. It contributes 30% to the GDP which is in line with the average of developing nations but lower than developed countries like Singapore and Korea (49%). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andre Hoffman, Asia Pacific president of L'Occitane, talks about the challenges expanding in China and its product diversification plans. There will be more focus in promoting men's grooming products, and spa facilities and Melvita will be introduced in Malaysia. The French manufacturer and retail of skincare and toiletries is listed in Hong Kong.  "L'Occitane Asia Pacific President, Andre Hoffman highlights some of the brand's current star products and their properties, as it moves towards a more organic line-up in its grand scheme to go green. Hoffman also shares some insights on consumer behaviour, contrasting those of Chinese and Japanese consumers."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy German Foreign Minister Dr.Werner Hoyer discusses: - Position of Euro, Eurozone as safe haven in face of US economic concerns, debt downgrade; - The Eurozone's efforts to placate global markets; - Germany's position in Eurozone and whether it can survive without it; - Issues surrounding Malaysia's talks for a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement as well as an EU-Malaysia FTA; - Roadbumps to a successful conclusion to these talks;- How he rates the chances of an expedient result: given historical impasse over govt procurement issues, auto, mechanical tooling and chemicals industries; - Malaysia's judicial sysytem as a reliable legal framework for bilateral trade;- Bittersweet memories such as the dispute between Deutsche Telekom and Celcom;- Possibility for Malaysian and German cooperation on foreign policy; - How Germany can play a larger role globally, given historical challenges such as during WWII;- Germany's domestic challenges such as 'Islamisation' fears, aversion to nuclear power, political divides, skilled labour shortages and net emigration. "German Chancellor Angela Merkel is keen that the decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022 could make Germany a trailblazer in renewable energy, following a panel reviewing nuclear power after the crisis at Fukushima, Japan. Deputy Foreign Minister of Germany, Dr Werner Hoyer, provides insights on the policy apart from anti-nuclear reactions. Dr Werner also addresses a dire consequence of Germany's open market - skilled labour shortage."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HE Dr Rolf Lenz, the Swiss ambassador, gives an update on trade and Swiss investments in Malaysia, the impact of the rise of the Swiss franc on its export sector, his economic outlook of Switzerland, changes in its banking sector, the level of interest in Islamic banking, and on dealing with anti-Muslim movement. While investments in Malaysian companies are increasing, they're not for new technology areas due to talent issues. Interest in Islamic banking is still insignificant in Switzerland although the country receives funds from Middle Eastern investors. The government has banned minarets on mosques as a result of a public referendum but there is an anti-racism law in place. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Benalec Holdings Bhd Group Managing Director Vincent Leaw discusses: - Its recent listing;  - Its business of marine construction, vessel charter, land reclamation; - The uniqueness of its model of accepting part of the reclaimed land as payment; - Competition - rivals - market share; - Main customers; - Prospects locally; - Reclamation projects in Penang, Malacca and Iskandar region in Johor; - Industry outlook - drivers - dynamics; - Order book details; - Historical success rate; - Landbank monetisation; - Opportunities outside of Malaysia; - Its high margins and the reasons for them; - The sustainability of these margins; - Costs; - Debt levels; - EPS growth; - Dividend policy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.