Issue 37
Bestinet
Leveraging the latest technologies in the name of progress, Bestinet is pioneering transformation when it comes to cross-border migration solutions Writer: Jonathan DybleWithout question, global migration is on the rise.According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the number of migrants has almost tripled since 1970, increasing from around 84 million to more than 243 million people.This also translates into a proportional increase, with one in 30 people around the world now claiming migrant status.In the face of such statistics, global migrant management has continued to come under growing pressure, pressure that Malaysian firm Bestinet is seeking to relieve with its innovative approach.An information technology specialist, Bestinet’s focus is centred on delivering comprehensive cross-border migration solutions, serving its clients in both the public and private sectors.“Established in 2008, we saw there were a lot of challenges when it came to Malaysia’s migrant management processes,” explains Ismail Mohd. Noor, the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our founders recognised that the system was being abused by a large number of opportunists so, looking to correct this, they proposed the introduction of a Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) to the Malaysian government, known as Migrant Management System (MiGRAMS) for other labour receiving countries.”Encapsulating efficiencyBuilt to act as a holistic solution, FWCMS was first implemented under a proof-of-concept basis for the Malaysian government. The proof of concept is a pilot implementation for Bestinet to showcase the feasibility of FWCMS as it was the first cross-border solution in 2012 that was developed to manage the entire recruitment process of…
Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited
In a just a few short years, Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited has grown into a nationwide supplier of petroleum products and services. Chairman and CEO Khalid Riaz tells us more.
N.U.R Power Sdn Bhd
NUR Power has been providing electricity for Malaysia’s Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park for more than 20 years, investing in vital capacity as the site continues to expand Writer: Tom WadlowProject Manager: Matthew Cole-WilkinIn 1996 Malaysia opened the doors of its first ever hi-tech park development.Sat just 27 kilometres from the Port of Butterworth, Penang, and 45 kilometres from the city’s international airport, the 4,400-acre, government-backed Kulim Hi-Tech Industrial Park (KHTP) has attracted thousands of industrial, commercial, domestic and institutional clients, and shows no sign of slowing its momentum. “In addition, the number of workers in the KHTP exceeds 28,500 people,” comments Ikwan Hafiz Bin Jamaludin, Executive Director of N.U.R Power Sdn Bhd (NUR Power), the firm exclusively responsible for generation, distribution and retail of electricity across the park. “Also, there are over 8,300 students who attend the primary and secondary schools, polytechnic and university on site.”As of 2017, more than $10 billion of investment has gone into KHTP, much of this coming from 37 multinational corporations located there, and this figure set to rise rapidly with KHTP’s plan to expand to 12,000 in the near future. For NUR Power, Malaysia’s first and only privately-owned independent power utility, it is a great turn-around story. It was taken over by a white knight in 2012 from receivership and has since turned corners with prudent operational and financial management. It has become an acute value proposition for KHTP and is growing in tandem with the park.The firm currently owns, operates and maintains a 220 MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant in a…
Goodpack
Having introduced a revolutionary mode of containerised transport, Goodpack is expanding its global network to help supply chains across a range of industries to become more efficient and sustainable Writer: Tom WadlowProject Manager: Richard ThomasIt is little surprise that the global seaborne container industry is booming. As the world becomes ever-connected, combined with the fact consumer and commercial demands for rapid turnaround times are increasing, the market for efficient, timely shipping is growing. Take 2017. Container transport across the oceans accounted for 60 percent of all sea trade, activity equating to around $12 trillion in value and forecast to grow at 4.7 percent to the end of 2019. This growth has been made possible by the massive increase in the size of ships and subsequent capacity of freightliners. Over the last 40 years, deadweight tonnage of container ships has risen from approximately 11 million to more than 250 million tonnes. However, a second revolution is gathering momentum.While larger ships have permitted enormous financial growth and helped drive improved living standards across the world, it has come at a monumental cost to the environment. Just 15 of the largest container ships in operation today match the carbon emissions of every car on the planet. In country terms, the shipping industry ranks between Germany and Japan as the sixth largest polluter on earth. Efficiency of such operations, therefore, is paramount in ensuring that supply chains worldwide continue to fuel the demands of customers and minimise their environmental impact at the same time. Enter Goodpack. Established and named from a contract to provide a shipping solution…
Pun Hlaing Siloam Hospitals Group
Operating as a key exponent of Myanmar’s social development strategy, PHSH is changing perceptions and misconceptions across Myanmar with its forward-thinking approach Writer: Jonathan DybleProject Manager: Callam WallerHistorically renowned as a nation that has been defined by economic and political isolation, the tide seems to be turning in Myanmar, with waves of positivity sweeping the nation in the face of recent events.Owed to the success of the democratic elections that were held in November 2015, the new government has been outlining an agenda focused on providing the platform for a revolutionary transformation and modernisation process.In the short time since, Myanmar has already transitioned away from being an enclosed and hostile region, now standing as one of Asia’s fastest growing countries, with the Asia Development Bank forecasting GDP growth of seven percent for 2019.Currently, much of the government’s emphasis is being placed on bolstering the country’s structural and institutional foundations, from energy and transport to education and healthcare, a strategy that Pun Hlaing Siloam Hospitals Group (PHSH) is helping to enable as one of Myanmar’s most progressive healthcare providers.“PHSH was initially established in 2005 by First Myanmar Investments (FMI), a Yoma Group company whose mission is to ‘build a better Myanmar for its people’,” explains Dr Gershu Paul, Group CEO of PHSH. “And what better way to realise this mission than to drive social transformation by improving the national healthcare scene.“As an emerging country, there is both huge opportunity in Myanmar and many challenges to overcome, prospects that inspire and motivate us more and more by the…
Straits Construction Singapore Pte Ltd
Straits Construction Singapore is futureproofing itself and the industry by investing in innovation, an approach that has seen it deliver a stream of award-winning projectsWriter: Tom WadlowProject Manager: Tom CullumReaching 50 years not out is no mean feat for any company. In an ever-globalised world where economic cycles of boom and bust reverberate across borders, it is more important than ever for businesses to safeguard their futures by forecasting trends and investing wisely. The construction industry is one of the most prone to these economic mood swings, and Straits Construction Singapore has ridden through numerous cycles over the past five decades.“Straits Construction started in 1969 as a small contracting firm and evolved to become one of the leading local players in the Singapore construction sector,” explains current Group Managing Director and CEO Wong Chee Herng. “From the early boom of public housing development in the 1980s to the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s and the more recent global financial crisis in 2008, the organisation has come through boom and bust thanks to an ethos that is very much reflected in our five core values – integrity, progress, passion, positivity and support. “We have never stopped to renew to stay relevant. Our 50th birthday will be a milestone and is testament to our beliefs. More importantly, it will give us a solid base to push into the future.”The immediate future, by Chee Herng’s own admission, involves navigating something of a headwind. Singapore’s construction sector is currently emerging from a three-year downturn, but the Group MD and CEO is optimistic that…
Pun Hlaing Siloam Hospitals Group
Operating as a key exponent of Myanmar’s social development strategy, PHSH is changing perceptions and misconceptions across Myanmar with its forward-thinking approach Writer: Jonathan DybleProject Manager: Callam WallerHistorically renowned as a nation that has been defined by economic and political isolation, the tide seems to be turning in Myanmar, with waves of positivity sweeping the nation in the face of recent events.Owed to the success of the democratic elections that were held in November 2015, the new government has been outlining an agenda focused on providing the platform for a revolutionary transformation and modernisation process.In the short time since, Myanmar has already transitioned away from being an enclosed and hostile region, now standing as one of Asia’s fastest growing countries, with the Asia Development Bank forecasting GDP growth of seven percent for 2019.Currently, much of the government’s emphasis is being placed on bolstering the country’s structural and institutional foundations, from energy and transport to education and healthcare, a strategy that Pun Hlaing Siloam Hospitals Group (PHSH) is helping to enable as one of Myanmar’s most progressive healthcare providers.“PHSH was initially established in 2005 by First Myanmar Investments (FMI), a Yoma Group company whose mission is to ‘build a better Myanmar for its people’,” explains Dr Gershu Paul, Group CEO of PHSH. “And what better way to realise this mission than to drive social transformation by improving the national healthcare scene.“As an emerging country, there is both huge opportunity in Myanmar and many challenges to overcome, prospects that inspire and motivate us more and more by the…
Lineup of global speakers for Mining Investment Asia 2019 in Singapore unveiled
This annual event, with the primary aim of showcasing South East Asia’s mining sector to an international audience, is scheduled to return to Singapore from March 26-28.The speakers who have come on board to be a part of Mining Investment Asia 2019 include:Brian Leni, Founder, Junior Stock Review (Canada) (First time speaker at this event).Daniel Ornatowski, Board of Directors, Chief Investment Officer, IMP Minerals (Indonesia) (First time speaker at this event).Deborah McCombe, President and CEO, Principal Geologist, RPA Inc (Canada) (First time speaker at this event).Tom James, CEO and Founder, NR Capital (Singapore) (First time speaker at this event).Joyce Chang, Associate Editor, S&P Platts (Singapore) (First time speaker at this event).Tiur Henny Monica, Head of Legal, Blackspace (Indonesia) (First time speaker at this event).Michel Labrousse, Managing Partner, Mazarin Capital (Hong Kong).Hendra Sinadia, Executive Director, Indonesia Coal Mining Association (Indonesia).Clyde Russell, Asia Commodities and Energy Columnist, Thomson Reuters (Australia).Over the past four years, the high quality speakers assembled at this event have provided insightful regional and international perspectives, leading to Mining Investment Asia being recognised as the leading event in the region for global companies and individuals who wish to understand what makes South East Asia mining industry tick, and meet the key players in the region.In addition, what makes Mining Investment Asia special is the...Great networking opportunitiesHigh level discussionsOpportunity to understand and meet the relevant decision makers from the South East Asia mining industry.Andrew Heinrichs, Director of Strategic Venture Funds (Hong Kong) said: "Events like Mining Investment Asia helps to connect us with government investment promotion…
ASEAN Centre for Energy: Setting the Energy Agenda
Southeast Asia is quickly becoming one of the most enterprising parts of the global energy system.According to the International Energy Agency, the energy demand of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its 10-member countries has grown 60 percent in the past 15 years, while forecasts show that this could again rise by almost two-thirds come 2040.Combined with an expectation that the region’s economy will triple in size and its total population will grow by approximately a fifth, rapid growth is dictating that the provision of reliable, affordable and sustainable energy is becoming more pressing than ever.With this in mind, maintaining strategic oversight will be crucial in the decades ahead – oversight that the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) is helping to provide.An organisation that’s history dates back to 1976, established in the face of a greater need for political and economic collaboration, ACE has become a figurehead of progression for the continent’s energy industry.“Simply put, ACE’s vision is to accelerate the integration of energy strategies within ASEAN by providing relevant information and expertise, ensuring that energy policies and programmes are built in harmony with the region’s economic growth and sustainability goals,” states Christopher Zamora, the organisation’s acting Executive Director.Having worked in the energy sector for 34 years, Zamora brings notable experience to the role and to ACE.“Myself? I spent 12 years with the Philippine Department of Energy who then seconded me to the ASEAN European Community Energy Management Training and Research Centre (AEEMTRC) where I worked from 1996 to 1998,” he reveals. “Thereafter AEEMTRC…