The Breakfast Grille

Tan Teng Boo Capital Dynamics Asset Management Sdn Bhd Tan Teng Boo, Managing Director of Capital Dynamics Asset Management Sdn Bhd, discusses: - The impact of the US Debt ceiling impasse, and what it means; - Gold as a 'safe haven'; - The Euro's long-term existence and the Eurozone; - The Malaysian IPO market; - Listing and de-listing of companies; - CG Blueprint and governance issues; - Property market; - Govt divestment program; - China as a continuing proposition; - ICapital and his fund management business;   "Capital Dynamics Asset Management Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Tan Teng Boo expresses points to ponder on the Malaysian economy, particularly FDI and manufacturing momentum, drawing parallels to those of the US and Germany and why these drivers are crucial for our economy at this juncture. Tan also offers interesting insights into the strength of the Ringgit in line with productivity, efficiency and competitiveness of the economy."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danone Dumex Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Toni Brendish discusses: - Details of its Malaysia business and operations;- Investment capital; - Staff - numbers - Skill levels - Production - utilisation rates; - Key markets and market share; - Positioning - price points; - Business breakdown between infant and child nutrition; - How price points differ between markets; - Drivers - Challenges - target markets; - Asia birth rates as a key driver; - Country sales and growth rates; - Country profits and margin levels; - The infant formula versus breastfeeding debate; - Management strategy; - Gender (in)equality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Che Azizuddin Ismail, CEO of Konsortium Logistik, tells how it will triple the market capitalisation of the company to RM1 billion by 2015 through mergers and acquisitions, possibly in logistics for FMCG. Ekuinas bought the company for RM1.55 per share late last year and the share price has since fallen to RM1.25. Datuk Azizuddin attributes it to the shares' low liquidity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Robertson, Deputy director, Human Rights Watch (Asia division), discusses: - The negative implications of the asylum seeker deal recently signed between Malaysia and Australia; - Malaysia’s track record from a human rights standpoint; - The implications of Australia’s effective flouting of the 1951 Refugees ConventionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petronas Base Oil (M) Sdn Bhd CEO Joe Rousmaniere provides details of and discusses: - A short overview of Base Oils; - Details of its complexity, plant locations, raw materials used, commercial applications; - Details of its origins and the impact of its 2008 purchase of Selenia;- Details of Group III Base oils;- Comparison with other "Base" oils; - How Asian producers compares with traditional Western producers in high-grade Group III Base oils;- Petronas E'tro products: performance attributes and comparison to other Base III lubricants; - Current production levels-comparison with other Asian producers-Utilisation rates; - Demand levels?-Where demand coming from; - Whether demand shortfall and its studies of bio- and petrochemical-based esters a alternatives; - Explanation of these alternatives and their comparative attributes; - Petronas Base Oil: global market share-Value of global market; - Competition - local and foreign; - Petronas Base Oil and its ability to take market share from Asia's major players, the "pantheon" of SL, Shell and Neste; - New competition from the Gulf states and Shell; - Biggest markets for Base Oil; - Country markets: Brazil, Italy and China as big markets; - Drivers for these markets-Challenges; - China as a market-whether folly to rely on one country; - Revenue - profit - margins; - Capital needs?-add capacity; - Contribution to Petronas group.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil Ambassador Sergio Arruda discusses: - Malaysia's role in Brazil's global economic roadmap; - Value of trade 2011 - outlook; - Breakdown of trade: direction - outlook; - Types of trade; - Opportunities for Malaysian companies from the infrastructure backlog in Brazil; - Opportunities as regards the World Cup 2014 and Olymics 2016;- Specific examples, including Scomi, Felda, Vale, Petrobras and Petronas; - Brazil's propositions for investors in agribusiness and fossil as well as renewable resources; - Brazil’s clean energy matrix; - Brazil's biofuels/ethanol policies and its energy-independence; - Santos basins: Brazil's newly-found ultra deepwater reserves in the so-called “pre-salt province”; - Challenges, including crime, the social costs of rising wealth, inflation and corruption; - English proficiency and globalisation. "Brazillian Ambassador HE Sergio Arruda talks about efforts in cultivating the Brazilian economy to become the 4th largest in the world in terms of value, come year 2050. HE Sergio also addresses what to expect for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics as the nation gears up to play host."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hans de Cuyper, CEO of Etiqa Insurance & Takaful, the second largest insurance company and largest Takaful operator in Malaysia, says the group's premiums will reach RM2 billion by year end, double that of last year. On the Takaful business, he says the double digit growth is largely due to government support in the form of tax incentives etc, and explains that it is not mere labels that differentiates Takaful and conventional insurance. One challenge is that there is more money chasing Syariah-compliant investments, so Etiqa will have to start investing abroad. On overseas expansion, Etiqa does not have the risk appetite to start in a greenfield market and will instead ride on Maybank's regional expansion plans especially in Indonesia. While the potential for Takaful is significant across the world, local regulatory hurdles, to some extent political, have to be overcome. More consolidation is expected among general insurers but the synergies from merging with Kurnia Insurance, which is for sale, may be limited because Etiqa already has a bigger distribution network and talent can be acquired.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dodge Dorland, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Landor & Fuest Capital Managers, discusses whether market risks have inched up a couple of notches following what appears to be a stalemate over the debt ceiling in the US, his view on the best possible solution to this problem,  and whether there is a doomsday scenario about to play out by Aug 2. He also discusses expectations that Q2 growth is petering to its slowest in a year, where most of the uncertainty in the US economy is focused on currently.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Darrel Webber, Secretary-General of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), discusses: - Primary aims; - Initial difficulties in creating RSPO standards; - How climate change affected these initial standards; - Difficulties of a consensual approach; - Membership and percentage of palm industry that is RSPO-certified; - Steps to obtaining RSPO certification; - The primary benefit of being RSPO-certified; - Existence of a purchase premium for RSPO-certified oil; - Whether this premium is dissipating; - Whether trade sanctions exist for non-RSPO-certified oil;- GreenPalm certificates and how they work; - Whether there are issues concerning so-called traceability in Green Palm certificates; - IOI Corp and their falling foul of the RSPO; - Status of IOI's suspension; - Breaches and membership breaches - examples and results of engagement approach;- Challenges involved in investigating breaches of clearing high-conservation areas and which countries are most guilty; - Whether, as accused, RSPO has been accorded to undeserving companies; - Friends of the Earth: "does not regard the RSPO as a credible certification process as it is only a limited tool of technicality which is not able to adequately address the horrendous impacts of oil palm cultivation on forests, land and communities."; - Greenpeace: RSPO risks creating the "illusion of sustainable palm oil, justifying the expansion of the palm oil industry."- Rainforest Action Network: "Oil palm does not lead to the development of a country"; - The burning and draining of large tracks of peat swamp forest and whether they should be converted to palm oil estates; ==========The RSPO is a not-for-profit association that unites stakeholders from seven sectors of the palm oil industry:- oil palm producers,- palm oil processors or traders,- consumer goods manufacturers,- retailers- Banks and investors,- environmental or nature conservation NGOs and- social or developmental NGOsDefining sustainable palm oil RSPO has developed a set of standards called the Principles & Criteria (P&C) that define the practices for sustainable palm oil production.These standards address the legal, economic, environmental and social requirements of producing sustainable palm oil.  RSPO’s Principles and Criteria (P&C) for sustainable palm oil production are based on these principles:1. Commitment to transparency2. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations3. Commitment to long-term economic and financial viability4. Use of appropriate best practices by growers and millers5. Environmental responsibility and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity6. Responsible consideration for employees and for individuals and communities affected by growers and mills7. Responsible development of new plantings8. Commitment to continuous improvement in key areas of activitySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chua Say Sin, CEO of MSM Malaysia Holdings, explains the upside and plans of the company. It made an impressive debut on its listing day where the share price rose 40%, and it is now trading above target price. Key points: 1) MSM is the largest sugar refiner in Malaysia, accounting for 57% of output. The other licensed player is Tradewinds. Analysts are projecting slower growth due to higher sugar prices and some F&B manufacturers are reducing their purchase as they are not entitled to subsidised sugar starting this year.  2) We would know for certain after harvest time in September when the government will raise sugar prices again to cut its subsidy of RM0.20/kg. The decision is dependent on raw sugar prices which Chua expects will moderate after the rally this year on the back of poor weather conditions and infrastructure issues.  3) MSM's long-term contracts to buy raw sugar are up for renewal this year and there is a possibility that MSM may have to pay up to 90% of the market price.  4) MSM plans to build its export business by focusing on niche areas like the pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan, and also in the Middle East. 5) It will also acquire a sugar refiner and some landbank in stable markets, likely to be in the region.    In line with MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd's IPO and strategic expansion plans, CEO Chua Say Sin reels in mechanisation and greening of the organisation's operations in his post LIVE Breakfast Grille interview, considering practical and cost-effective options - gas turbines vs solar panels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International, tells Noelle Lim how Oxfam is bringing change to the poorest countries. Food security is a real issue, and aid needs to be spent more judiciously to bring more meaningful change. More should be spent on health and education efforts rather than just on infrastructure spending.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muktesh Mukherjee of China Oriental Group, one of the biggest steelmakers in China, tells his outlook for the company that provides H-section steel to construction projects in second and third tier cities in China in view of slowing economic growth and budget cuts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Su Chin Hock, Managing Director of Perfect Food, the manufacturer of Julie's biscuits explains how he handled the melamine crisis in 2008 that resulted in the company losing RM10 million, and improvements to the manufacturing process, and expansion plans in China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato CK Teo, director of Bandar Utama City Corporation, tells his plans to develop the remaining 200 acres of Bandar Utama township, and interest in acquiring and developing land in old town areas of Petaling Jaya.  "Director of Bandar Utama City Corporation Dato' CK Teo shares his views on the 1Utama MRT project and plans on developing the remaining 200 acres of the Bandar Utama township alongside acquiring and developing land in older areas of Petaling Jaya."   "Director of Bandar Utama City Corporation Dato' CK Teo addresses how to build a successful township and his take on excelling in business."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad MD Dr.Kenneth Pereira discusses: - Reasons behind taking nearly two years after the Securities Commission (SC) introduced the SPAC listing guidelines; - What a SPAC structure entails;- How to mitigate a weak IPO market and Hibiscus not having a profit track record, assets and very little visibility as to which projects are on the horizon;- The response so far; - Details of their investors, placees and entry costs; - What kinds of investors it is targeting; - Details of downside protection; - Details of the prospects; - How long investors will need to wait before getting some returns; - Competition from other capital providers and the risk of overpaying; - The dangers of rushing into a deal; - The possibility of circumstances changing and nvestors choosing to recall their capital; - Concerns that Hibiscus seems to be a Bull market play as opposed to the current climate, when risk appetites are swiftly turning conservative; - Breakeven costs; - The management team and their strengths; - Hibiscus being Long on oil and whether the business plan goes pear-shaped if oil heads South; - Whether the SPAC structure allow Hibiscus to buy the rights to explore for other hydrocarbons or other minerals such as rare earths; - Hong Leong Investment Bank as its advisers and whether concerned they may not be as experienced as the other, more established IBs;- Fees-wise, whether it was an intriguing proposition versus other IBs;   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Tan Seng Chuan, Managing Director of Inari Berhad, tells the investment fundamentals of the semiconductor packaging company including its dependency on one single customer, and why it chose to list on the ACE market rather than the Main Market. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melewar Industrial Group Group CEO Azlan Abdullah discusses: - His promotion to the parent and what his fresh scope is; - Short details on its three divisions: iron and steel, engineering and power; - Hot-rolled coil prices; - Effect on margins; - Plant utilisation rate;- Construction and consumption activity in Malaysia; - Demand environment; - Forecast steel tube sales for FYE 6/2011; - Update on Cold Rolled Coil steel sheet operations; - Progress in benefiting from import-substitution market; - Update on auto sector business; - Update on CRC-supply job to Perodua and MyVi replacement; - Iron ore price volatility; - Dwindling investment (1.6%) in ASX-listed iron ore miner Gindalbie Metals Ltd; - Melewar putting on hold its 1.3m tpy integrated steel making facility in Lumut, Perak in view of the unavailability of natural gas supply; - Reports that Baosteel (China’s second-biggest steelmaker), might buy Lion Group's Amsteel and its implications; - Power business and its 96.1% stake in Siam Power Generation Public Co Ltd (SIPCO) in Thailand; - Share price at 52wk-lo, selldown by MAA; - Rumoured privatisation for 55 percent owned Mycron Steel;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pun Kai Loon, the Artistic Director of Dama Orchestra, talks about the challenges running the performing group - one being getting funding with hardly any support from the government unlike in other countries. The group relies on ticket sales and sponsorship from loyal corporations like HSBC and Selangor Properties.   "Since its inception, the Dama Orchestra has consistently staged enthralling performances. Dama Orchestra Artistic Director Pun Kai Loon relates how the orchestra stays relevant and fresh in the entertainment circuit amidst a multitude of entertainment genres; weaving in elements like Cirque du Soleil and various sources of creative input."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Abu Hasan Ismail, the CEO and founder of Prestariang Berhad, presents his case why investors should invest in the ICT certification and software licensing and distribution company which will be listed on 27th July. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASX-listed UOA Group COO David Khor discusses: - Background to the UOA Group and beginnings; - Business entirely in Malaysia yet dual listing in Australia and Singapore - reasons; - UOA Development IPO - priced at bottom end of the range - feelings; - Whether Green Shoe was exercised; - June 8th listing: expectations? It is listing into a volatile period; - Rentals outlook; - Catalysts - Competition; - Views on recent property privatisations; - Ratio of residential to commercial launches over the next three years; - UOA model of in-house construction - development - REIT; - Plans outside of Malaysia; - Economic outlook;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Hayes, President and Managing Director of Bosch in Southeast Asia & Managing Director of Robert Bosch Sdn Bhd Malaysia discusses:- Damage to Japan’s industrial base as a result of the earthquake and tsunami, the ensuing nuclear disaster and its impact on the Asia-Pacific car industry; - Whether automotive supply chains will seize up and car production suffer; - What this means for a country like Malaysia, whose car consumption is very much tied to the Japanese car industry; - The impact of the Eurozone's debt problems on German industrial giants like Bosch, Volkswagen and Siemens;- Where Asia is in terms of automotive engineering capabilities, engine development and design;- Plans by German industrial companies (such as Daimler, Siemens and BASF) in 'localising' their their products to local market needs; - Annual R&D spend and geographical segmentation on R&D; - Impact of rising raw material prices on future growth and profitability; - Views of Malaysia's Proton project;- Thailand's success with the car industry, and his views on how they appear to have cracked it;- Bosch's joint plans to develop and produce electric engines with partners like Samsung and what it means for the car industry;- Bosch's heavy investment (up to 9 percent of its revenue) on research and development and what it means;- How Bosch is almost entirely owned by a charitable foundation (92%) and how and why has the structure evolved in this way. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive John Slosar discusses: - IATA June profit cut;  - Air cargo as a forward indicator;  - Singapore breaking through past HK in GDP terms; - Biggest headwinds to the business this year, bright spots; - Commercial - leisure traffic dynamics - outlook; - Route decisions; - Former Cathay chief Tony Tyler soon to be in charge of IATA; - Cathay's China-focused Dragon Air unit remaining highly positive on China; - Jet fuel - sensitivity - fuel-derived costs structure;- Whether hedging - hedging policy details; - Speculated June end to QE2 -- expected impact as regards travel, direction of oil prices; - Volcanic ash - Japan crisis - quakes - Black Swan events; - Plans by SIA to enter the long-haul, low-cost arena; - RPK issues; - ASK issues;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek, and his son Tee Yong, tells what MCA is doing to win back support, its political relevance and the impact of Datuk Seri's extra-marital affair scandal on his relationship with his family. Chua Tee Yong is Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry. Also, watch out post interview with Datuk Seri and Noelle Lim. "Will component parties in the BN coalition be abolished and merged? Is MCA truly a monoethnic party as perceived? Are there plans to work on the "packaging" of MCA? Find out as Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, President of MCA shares his thoughts in line with his opinion on the necessity of national integration as opposed to assimilation." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zayn Khan, group CEO of Thinkscape, a brand strategy and design firm talks about putting design in the core of what we do to leapfrog the competition in a design economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His Excellency Vijay Gokhale talks about the benefits of CECA or the Comprehensive Economic Co-operation pact that was signed by Malaysia and India and will be effective 1 July 2011. He says to encourage more investments into Malaysia, we need to review our work permit system and GLCs have to be more transparent about their tender processes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra Wong, Non-Executive Director at Jaya Tiasa Holdings Berhad, tells us the growth plans and outlook for the oil palm plantation and timber company. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fujitsu Malaysia President Charles Lew discusses: - Its Malaysia business and which segment forms the bulk of its business here;- Its clients, which include the police, Sirim, HL Bank and what they do for them;- Growth of 60 percent last year just in Malaysia - and what drove it;- Outlook for 2011 and whether the public sector and oil and gas will still drive growth;- The ETP - GTP and Fujitsu's work in healthcare;- The Japan crisis and how badly Fujitsu was affected vis-a-vis its supply chain and cash supply;- Its recovery and reconstruction efforts;- The Japanese and their ability to deal with natural disasters;- Fujitsu's work with Cloud computing and their focus on the enterprise segment;- Fujitsu bringing the world a “Supercomputer” with some unique analytic functions such as weather prediction, traffic analysis and what it means in terms of Fujitu's increasing appeal as a global IT brand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netherlands Ambassador Paul Bekkers discusses: - Trade between Malaysia and the Netherlands;- Reasons for Malaysia's trade surplus with Netherlands;- Netherlands' exports to Malaysia - main types of goods and services; - Cucumbers and the killer E.Coli; - Dutch emphasis on sustainability; - Flooding and Rotterdam; - Kinds and types of government initiatives to go Green; - Palm oil and Malaysia's efforts to drive sustainability in the industry; - The RSPO; - Its system of government that has seen the Netherlands become the 16th largest economy in the world, and 7th in GDP (nominal) per capita; - The Netherlands' obstructionist path to repair of the EU and in particular, the mending of peripheral European nations;- Whether the Netherlands feel it is well able to do without the distractions of a European Union;- Islamisation and the Freedom party of populist Geert Wilders; - Ratko Mladic and whether the Netherlands has made peace with its involement with the war crimes criminal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sime Darby Property Managing Director Datuk Tunku Putra Badlishah Tunku Annuar talks about: - The general demand outlook for the property market; - Outlook for launches; - Perceived disparity between income levels and new launch prices; - Whether - how - when - SDP will develop affordable housing; - Update on land bank; - Update on its JV wth Sunrise; - Impact on demand of rising rates; - Impact of rising raw material (cement, sand, labour); - Status of its hospitality and leisure business; - Occupancy levels at Darby Park;  - Update on SDCC; - Update on KLGCC since refurbishment; - Update on its Asset Management business; - Vision City; - Views on Build-Then-Sell; - Update on financials such as margins; - Status of plans for property trust; - Expected contribution of rental; - Current and expected yields; - Update on overseas projects; - Update on demand, sentiment, other factors;  - Whether Sime Property might one day be a standalone business unit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chase Perdana Executive Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Mohan Swami speaks about: - The outlook for property - construction sector in Malaysia; - Where is the most growth currently; - Roadbumps: oil - inflation - labor - Eurozone - capital - sentiment;- Outlook for his businesses in the Middle East; - Whether affected by riots - impact of oil prices;He also discusses his collaboration with Johns Hopkins hospital: - Malaysia's first fully integrated private four-year graduate medical school and teaching hospital: how the idea was mooted and how he came to be involved; - How fundraising plans are going;- Timeline to commencement;- Impact of the government's decision to impose a five year freeze on new medical courses on institutions of higher learning;- How Johns Hopkins is here because of his relationship with them;- Said to be the first time a US program (in terms of a medical school) is coming here; what was the draw; - Financials - projections - break even;- IPO / REIT plans See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Badrul Hisham Mahari, the CEO of TDM Berhad, explains the company's growth plans and gives an indication of its dividend growth plan. TDM has one of the lowest PE ratio among plantation companies but has a dividend yield of above 5%, a cash pile of more than RM200 million, and insignificant gearing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UOA Development Bhd Director Alan Charles Winduss talks about its upcoming IPO, addressing issues such as: - Progress of roadshow;- Cornerstone investors;- Type - profile of investors sought;- PEs - Valuations;- Use of proceeds;- Expected shareholding structure post-IPO and stake of parent UOA;- IPO appeal - income or growth;- Whether dividend reinvestment plan;- Differentiator from other property stocks;- Choppy nature of property business - how address - development rollout;- Costs: raw materials - sand - cement - steel - labour;- Profit - revenue growth outlook;- Dividend policy: 'active capital management';- MRT - other catalysts;- Rates outlook: upwards - how affect demand;- Commercial property glut issues - how address;- Legal - regulatory changes - Build Then Sell - chances of introduction;- Property market - positioning - medium to long term;- Expansion plans;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sailendra K, CEO of MagiqAds, the retail media specialist, explains why in-store advertising is picking up versus other media platforms, and the innovations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Lee Fang Hsin, President and Group MD of YSP Southeast Asia, tells what are the positive catalysts for the company, and the reason for investing more heavily in Vietnam than Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keywest Global Communications Bhd Executive Director Stephen Ng discusses his plans to transform his telco services company into an upstream oil and gas services company.In addition he also discusses:- The background to, reasons for his entry;- Whose shares he bought;- Plans to sell the telco business: timeline, amount to be raised, and impact on balance sheet;- He also talks about trade receivables and RPTs, issues which plagued Key West in its last FY; And then, moving on to the oil and gas sector, he talks about:- The expertise needed to be in oil and gas;- Location of the oilfields- No. of oil fields - prospects- Reasons behind Key West having the right to 70 percent of the JV proceeds?- Key West's future capital commitments in oil and gas;- Prospects of O&G in turning the company around;- Upside of the venture, since they don't own the oil, and only get an extraction fee; - The fact that they only have eight wells under the present arrangement, and for a period of just 5 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Saxon, Director of Hospitality & Lifestyle Division and CEO of the Delicious Group, tells the group's expansion plans, and what makes the brand successful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Freida Pillus and Dr Iskandar Rizal Hamzah of Cempaka School tell their outlook for private schools, and why more parents are moving their children are favouring international curriculum over national. They say there should be a level playing field for local and foreign international schools, and by giving equal incentives to local operators, the cost of private schooling can be reduced. The mother and son team also talk about working together in this interview to celebrate Mother's Day. Datuk Freida is the founder and Dr Rizal is the chairman of the school.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraser JT Howie is Managing Director of CLSA Singapore and Author of "Red Capitalism", a book which debunks the Chinese economic miracle. He discusses: - His argument that China is in fact not pursuing a real policy of being an open market;- That the Chinese government wants the good without the bad: the access to international markets but not the international standards, accountability and discipline; - The reasons: whether it is a political issue, power issue or all of the above; - Whether, given the strength of the Chinese Communist Party, China can ever really be open and market-driven; - That China views this method of governing as more of a traditional, family-like system and whether this make the process of change more difficult; - How foreign corporations are waking up to this bleak reality; - That multi-national companies might profit in the short term but could well suffer in the long term. (such as Google) - How MNCs should alter their strategies when it comes to China; He also discusses: - China's many weaknesses in the form of a large number of underperforming sectors, and this is because they compete in highly protected markets that foreign firms cannot compete in, such as the Chinese financial system;- What some of these 'fragile foundations' in China's banking system are; - How bad risk management is in Chinese banks;- Also, China's growth, which has come at the expense of safety, workers’ rights and landowners’ rights;- This huge massive misallocation of capital -- and what happens when payback time happens with these State-Owned Enterprises; - What conditions might precipitate a crash; - And, alternative places to invest, perhaps in the USA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mercedes Benz Malaysia CEO & President Roland Folger talks about: His priorities for his stint in Malaysia; His biggest challenges and the biggest drivers; The reasons behind MB's highly extensive model range, which covers the entire gamut and also reports of 10 more new niche models in the next 1-2 years; Philosophy behind having and maintaining such a wide range; Malaysia sales leaders and reasons; Q1's performance and the reasons behind being its best-ever three months Demand outlook for rest of year, outlook for interest rates, sentiment, feedback from dealers;Outlook for launches;Market share outlook for 2011;Brand proposition; Its collaboration with DRB-Hicom, which does its assembly and; The move into hybrid and efficient carsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin McCourt, Chief Executive of Dyson Ltd, the maker of cutting-edge vacuum cleaners, hand driers and fans, talks about: - Its decision to move manufacturing to Malaysia and the controversy it caused in UK at the time; - Why it chose Malaysia, the pull factors; - The number of factories it has now and its production capacity;- Reports nonetheless, that it is keeping a “watching brief” on China, India and Vietnam, from a costs and supply chain perspective; - The importance of R&D to its growth and the money it spends annually; - A short discourse on founder James Dyson and whether he is a British Steve Jobs; - Outlook for new products in domestic appliances, but also business-to-business applications and;  - New markets such as South America, India and China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Jalilah Baba, Director General of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), explains how the corporatisation of Mida will shorten its service delivery, and what checks are in place to ensure no Mida officers can personally benefit from deals that come in. She also explains the process of approving the Lynas rare earth plant, how this investment will benefit us, and the strategy to attract high quality investments.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jens Reisch, the CEO of Allianz Malaysia, explains how the company is able to scale up quickly. It is looking to lower premiums, introduce microinsurance, expand its distribution network especially in rural areas , and gain a foothold in the Takaful business where penetration rate is still low at 8-10%. Allianz is the biggest general insurance company in terms of market share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although the growth of online subscription, led by international readers, is outpacing print, John Ridding, the CEO of the Financial Times in London, says the newspaper will maintain a print and online version and cross-sell content. This is to cater for readers' media consumption habits, plus the print also allows for easier browsing. While the number of print advertisements continue to exceed those online. The online version is also necessary to offer clients an integrated solution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Syarikat Prasarana Group Managing Director Shahril Mokthar talks about how the new MRT might address previous complaints of unreliability, delays, breakdowns and poor feeder bus service services and comments on the following;How it aims to benchmark Singapore and HK in terms of service;Time frame for completion of all LRT and MRT works in the Klang Valley;Cost estimates, overrun estimates and the permutations; Criticisms as regards the lack of competing proposals to build the MRT;And of leakages; Plans to incentivise greater use of public transport systems;Plans to integrate the three major lines: Ampang Line, Kelana Jaya Line and Monorail at three stations: Masjid Jamek, Titiwangsa and Hang Tuah by the third quarter of this year;In Singapore and Hong Kong transportation systems are fully integrated with one card and when KL will implement the same integrated system;Reports that Prasarana will be allocated a parcel of land in the proposed Sungai Buloh Rubber Research Institute Malaysia (RRIM) development project for commercial development as part of the “rail plus property” model;Reports which also say that punitive action can be taken against Syarikat Prasarana, if it fails to implement measures to mitigate the environmental impacts caused by the proposed Klang Valley MRT;The criteria Prasarana takes in deciding whether to go overground or underground;Its financial position; And that Prasarana is being subsidised in the forms of fuel subsidy;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HSBC Senior Global Economist Karen Ward discusses her report, 'The World in 2050', where among other things, she forecasts Malaysia as being among the world's wealthiest nations;Discusses demographics as featuring quite prominently in scenario planning;The potential hindrance of energy availability;The work of Harvard’s Robert Barro, and how Ward uses his theories in her report; The relevance of economic governance, human capital and the starting level of income per capita in relation to Malaysia in her assumptions for Malaysia to be a key winner; Other challenges such as the rule of law; Regime change and execution risk; Brain drain, affirmative action, language obstacles;And whether population growth and adequate training as the single biggest determinants are sufficient;She also talks about risks such as protectionism and price inflation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shila Dorai Raj, the Head of the Interim Competition Unit, explains that anti-competitive behaviour would include price fixing and restricting supply to manipulate the market. She also explains why the Competition Act will not cover mergers and acquisitions unless there is an abuse of dominant position. Any complaints about monopolies can be floated to the Commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Dr Mohd Shukor Mahfar, CEO of the Inland Revenue Board, gives us an idea how many people pay taxes, and the management of the Board. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Kamarul Redzuan Muhamed, CEO of Uzma Berhad explains the growth potential of the company that helps oil majors locate and produce oil. The plan is get more deeply involved in exploration to enjoy the upside, and not just earn a consultant's fees. It has a low pressure system that allows Petronas to explore for oil in idle wells. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Tan, Director at Pemandu, gives an update on notable achievements of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) like investments in oil and gas, palm oil and tourism, and explains why certain investments like aircraft purchases by AirAsia would be counted as an investment under the ETP. In the run up to polling day, the Prime Minister has promised to make Sarawak the richest state in the country if Barisan Nasional wins. Tan alluded that this will depend on the progress of SCORE, which is part of ETP, and the implementation of GTP projects.  Details of private sector investments that have been committed for Sarawak is available on Pemandu's website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Brien, CEO of Suria KLCC, explains how Suria is defending its position as the premier shopping destination in light of competition from newer malls like Pavilion. One of its plans is to open a new retail space in June that will house flagship stores of some luxury brands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.