1. Sustainability key driver for SME growth
  2. China´s CPCG leads consortium to invest RM3 billion in Terengganu
  3. Tianjin emerging as global smart manufacturing centre
  4. Indonesia government considering harsher punishments for forest burners
  5. Hundreds of thousands stranded after British travel firm Thomas Cook collapses

Sustainability key driver for SME growth
Digi Telecommunications organised its annual Sustainability Day recently with a focus on the importance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to incorporate sustainable business practices as part of their strategy for growth. In a press statement, Digi pointed out that the changing business environment and stakeholder expectations have put more demands from businesses today to act responsibly, and studies have shown that customers and partners across the value chain prefer to purchase from and work with sustainable businesses. This shows a strong need for companies to reflect on how they operate, and make sustainability a central part of their business strategy from practicing the highest standards of governance, ethics and integrity, data privacy, establishing an inclusive workplace, to building a compliant supply chain while minimising their environmental footprint. Digi’s chief corporate affairs officer, Joachim Rajaram said that it is critical to embed responsible business practices as the core of any business strategy. “Digi has put in place a holistic framework to ensure that we act and instil responsible behaviour in our business and across our value chain. This is also part of our commitment to reduce inequalities within our communities, and work closely with stakeholders to continuously improve our responsible way of work.”

China´s CPCG leads consortium to invest RM3 billion in Terengganu
Pacific Construction Group (CPCG) will lead a consortium of investors to invest RM3 billion over the next five years in the areas of infrastructure development, including industrial park, free trade zone and affordable housing in Terengganu. The initiative will be led by its Malaysian subsidiary, CPCG Holdings Sdn Bhd, which sealed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Terengganu Jiangsu Trade Organisation (TJTO) in Nanning, China. CPCG Holdings director Zhou Ya Dong said the strategic investment was in line with the Chinese government’s pursuit of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, as well as the East Coast Rail Link. “We aim to complement these initiatives to enable Terengganu to develop a vibrant and dynamic economy, and foster shared prosperity for those living in the state,” he said in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur. Last year, CPCG founder Yan Jiehe announced plans to invest up to RM10 billion over 10 years in Malaysia in line with the company’s core business areas of infrastructure development, high technology machinery and education. Some 65 per cent of the RM10 billion will be invested in the construction and infrastructure sector.

Rise of China´s Tianjin as global smart manufacturing centre
China’s Tianjin is in the top 10 of the 50 leading global smart manufacturing centres rated this year, based on the impressive performance of Tianjin Binhai New Area. In a statement, the Media Convergence Center with Tianjin Binhai New Area said the rating indicated robust growth potential in smart manufacturing and urban development. With a focus on strengthening industrial cultivation and intelligent technology, Binhai New Area has invested 800 million yuan to support 293 intelligent manufacturing projects to promote industrial transformation and upgrading in an all-round way. The proportion of intelligent manufacturing in Binhai New Area’s economy has exceeded 50 per cent, with a world-class advanced manufacturing industrial base in the making. The new area currently has eight competitive industrial chains in smart manufacturing, including Autonomous & Controllable; Big Data + Cloud Computing; Robotics + Unmanned Equipment; and, Industrial Internet + Intelligent Manufacturing.

Indonesia government considering harsher punishments for forest burners
Indonesia is studying a plan to mete out harsher punishments to companies found burning forest and peat land. This was announced by an officer of the Environment Ministry as the country faces its worst forest fires and haze since 2015. Rasio Ridho Sani, director general of law enforcement at the Environment Ministry said that among the stricter punishments the government is considering is the use of an anti-money laundering law against those burning down forest areas. The rules will allow the seizure of profits from companies or individuals who have benefited financially from the intentional burning of land, he added. He added that the has sealed off burned areas within concessions controlled by 52 companies, Sani and the authorities are investigating five companies for suspicion of starting fires or being negligent in containing fires within their area.

Hundreds of thousands stranded after British travel firm Thomas Cook collapses
Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers were stranded today by the collapse of travel firm Thomas Cook, sparking massive repatriation. The liquidation marks the end of the British company that started in 1841 and grew to pioneer the family package holiday across Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East. Running hotels, resorts and airlines for 19 million people a year, Thomas Cook currently has around 600,000 people abroad and will need the help of governments and insurance firms to bring them home. Thomas Cook’s announcement was made early today after failing to secure a deal with creditors or a government bailout.

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