Business
MALAYSIA: Cottage industry can thrive in Semop
The government is urged to tap into the potential of the cottage industry in Semop because its coastal areas are rich in sea products. According to Abdullah Saidol (BN-Semop), he saw potential in coastal villages in his constituency not only in harvesting sea produce but also pineapple and corn.
MALAYSIA: Call for Malaysia, OIC to Produce Halal Pharmacopoeia for Muslims
Malaysia and other Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries should work together to produce a Halal pharmacopoeia, a book describing drugs, chemicals and medicinal preparations, for Muslims, according to a pharmaceutical science lecturer. Prof Zhari Ismail of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said so far, only five countries - Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippine and Britain - had produced Halal pharmacopoeia as guidelines in the production of medicinal products for Muslims across the world.
Bluehorse launches integrated Carbonostics carbon accounting and lifecycle assessment platform
Bluehorse launches seamlessly integrated Carbonostics carbon accounting and product lifecycle assessment platform for the food and drink industry. The new Carbonostics responds to the growing needs of food and drink companies for reliable and affordable sustainability metrics to measure and report environmental impacts. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France (MMD Newswire) May 16, 2012 -- Bluehorse Associates announces the launch of a new Carbonostics suite of carbon and energy accounting and product lifecycle assessment (pLCA) applications designed specifically for the food and drink industry. The enhanced Carbonostics delivers multi-criteria environmental impact analyses that guide companies as they develop their sustainability strategy.
MALAYSIA: Good Prospects for Malaysian Agriculture Products in China, Says Noh
Malaysian agricultural products have good prospects in China, but their quality and quantity have to meet the needs of the China market, says Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar. "The response (to our products) is good, but we should focus on ensuring adequate supply, for example there is a Chinese company that is requesting 17 container loads of Malaysian durians," he said.
Filed Under: Trade & Investment
BAHRAIN: Stronger Thai ties forged
Bahrain and Thailand signed a number of agreements recently to further strengthen relations. This came as His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra underscored their resolve to bolster bilateral ties, during talks at Gudaibiya Palace. The Bahrain-Thai high joint committee will convene in October and businessmen from both sides will explore investment opportunities.
Filed Under: Trade & Investement
INDONESIA: Indonesia suspends US beef imports over mad cow fears
Indonesia has become the first country to suspend US beef imports, following the discovery in California this week of a dairy cow infected with mad cow disease. According to Agence France-Presse, imports of boned US meat and innards would be banned; however the import of boneless meat remained unaffected. "We will lift the ban as soon as the U.S. can assure us its dairy cows are free of mad cow disease," the Associated Press quoted Indonesia's Vice Agriculture Minister Rusman Heriawan as saying. "It could be one month or one year. It depends on how long it takes to resolve this case." US Health authorities have said the diseased animal was never a threat to the nation's food supply, in the first case of mad cow disease in the US since 2006.
Saudi Arabia Halts Shipments of U.S. Beef, USDA Agency Says
Saudi Arabia halted imports of U.S. beef, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Beef from the U.S. shipped on or after April 19 is not eligible for export to the country, the agency said today in a report on its website, without providing a reason for the ban.
INDIA: DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Appoints Distributor of Zemea® Propanediol in India
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC announced the expansion of geographic coverage for its breakthrough product, Zemea® propanediol. The company has appointed Brenntag India Pvt. Ltd. as distributor for Zemea® in India. Zemea® is a natural, 100 percent bio based ingredient made from corn sugar through fermentation and developed for use in the cosmetics and personal care market. It is a high-performance, environmentally sustainable alternative to petroleum-based glycols and glycerine, where the product’s lack of skin irritation, improved moisturisation and excellent aesthetic properties are benefits. Zemea® is approved as a natural ingredient by Ecocert, Natrue and the Natural Products Association; is certified 100 percent bio based by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has both Kosher and Halal certifications.
GCC should look East for investment: Malaysia PM
Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak has challenged the liquidity-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, warning that they can no longer afford to ignore investment and business opportunities in Asia. Traditionally, GCC countries have looked west to invest in assets including government bonds, real estate portfolios, financial services and major corporations. Some have also indulged in so-called trophy assets. But with the direction of trade of the GCC and perhaps the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region shifting to the East, with Saudi, Kuwaiti and Abu Dhabi oil exports mainly going to East Asia, it is only logical that foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and private placements from the Middle East should also follow.