Day: August 31, 2021

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NCCIM calls on M’sians to be in solidarity with govt to overcome financial, economic hardships

KUALA LUMPUR, The National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) calls on all Malaysian to be in solidarity with the government to assist businesses, entrepreneurs and the rakyat to overcome their financial and economic hardships caused by the COVID-19.

President Datuk Low Kian Chuan said in conjunction with Merdeka Day celebration, Malaysians, including the business community per se have to yield a level of unprecedented national solidarity in the war against the worst ever crisis, the COVID-19.

“Merdeka Day is a classic time to push the magic of ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ to deliver the powers of solidarity to combat the COVID-19, as well as steer the nation’s economic machinery and its ecosystem to be back on its feet and bouncing ahead with growth,” he said in a statement today.

The federation of five national trade organisations said it believed that Malaysians are enthusiastic and optimistic that victory is imminent while “Keluarga Malaysia” would deliver the victory with cognisance that national unity is a critical ingredient to its success.

It said the government needed to rebuild public confidence and trust in its competence and capacity to implement effective measures to overcome the pandemic with timely economic responses to limit and assist on the sufferings of businesses and the rakyat and navigate the nation out of the crisis and onto better economic footing.

“We hopes the government, with its National Recovery Council and the COVID-19 Special Task Force, will continue to review, enhance and recalibrate the strategies to combat the pandemic and help the rakyat as well as businesses to prepare for a safe, successful and sustainable reopening of the economy,” it said.

It added that NCCIM and five constituent chambers, in coordination with the industry associations remain committed to help the business community, especially small and medium enterprises to stay afloat in this trying time.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Company secretary firms now allowed to operate under NRP Phase 1 and 2, subject to SSM approval

KUALA LUMPUR, Company secretary firms are now allowed to operate under Phase One and Two of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), subject to the approval of the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).

SSM said this is following the government’s recent announcement to allow professional and consulting services companies to operate during NRP, subject to the approval conditions of the authority regulating the service.

“Following the announcement, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) agrees to list company secretary service under the professional and consulting services, hence, allowing company secretary firms to submit their application to operate to MITI for the purpose of carrying out secretarial services,” it said in a statement today.

It said SSM, as the body that oversees the company secretary under the Companies Act 2016, has been given the responsibility as the approving body for operating permission applications submitted by company secretary firms.

Therefore, it said members of professional bodies approved under the Fourth Schedule of the Companies Act 2016 may submit applications for their respective secretarial firms if they intended to commence operations at their respective business premises.

“Application can be made through COVID-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) operated by MITI at the website https://notification.miti.gov.my/login. Guidance on applications has been provided by MITI through the portal https://www.miti.gov.my/redir/ppn/cims.html,” it said.

It said company secretary firms that obtained approval to operate under Phase One and Two of NRP are advised to comply with the conditions set by MITI and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued by the National Security Council (NSC) from time to time to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“It is hoped that with the reopening of this sector, company secretary firms can continue to play a role in supporting the corporate sector, especially involving small and medium enterprises in reviving the country’s economy,” it said.

It added that more info could be found in the frequently asked questions on SSM’s official portal, www.ssm.com.my, and any inquiry could be made to SSM call centre at 03-77214000 or email to enquiry@ssm.com.my or esecretary@ssm.com.my.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Malaysia must push for attracting FDI, especially from EU – Says ASEAN-BAC Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia needs to push for progress in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly investors from the European Union (EU), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia said.

The council said a consultation meeting with members of its joint business councils and foreign business councils yesterday concluded that the time now is suitable to restart talks for an EU-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA).

It said the EU has completed bilateral trade agreements with Singapore and Vietnam and is currently in talks for similar free trade agreements (FTA) with other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia.

“As such, the panellists agreed that Malaysia needs to push for progress in this area,” it said in a statement today.

Chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Munir Abdul Majid said Malaysia remained an attractive destination for foreign direct investment despite the many challenges that the country currently faces.

Council member Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon said the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) could enable Malaysia to reach an agreement with the EU sooner since certain provisions laid out in the CPTPP, such as those involving labour, would be similar to those required in an FTA with the EU.

Meanwhile, the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Eurocham Malaysia) said it firmly believed that there is a need for a formal framework to elevate trade between the EU and Malaysia to the next level.

“Since several ASEAN countries have already signed or are in advanced stages of FTA negotiations with the EU, we strongly recommend that the Malaysian government restarts the currently-stalled FTA dialogue,” chief executive officer Sven Schneider said.

Ambassador of the European Union to Malaysia Michalis Rokas said he believed that Malaysia should continue to be an attractive investment destination as long as it provided transparency and predictability.

“Malaysia should attract foreign investments and investors by streamlining and simplifying market access requirements for foreign companies, in a systemic and non-discriminatory way,” he said.

He added that although the trade and investment relationship between Malaysia and EU is on the whole satisfactory, there remained untapped potential for both sides to work together to “build back better” especially in the post-pandemic recovery period.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

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Publishing Startup Reedsy Introduces Directory of Top Publishers in the US, UK, and More

LONDON, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Publishing startup Reedsy announced today the launch of their book publishers directory, which lists over 450 vetted publishers in the US, UK, Canada, India, Australia, and other countries worldwide.

The directory includes small presses, mid-size publishing houses, and Big Five publishers to serve the needs of any author. Interested parties can sort by genre — with over 50 genres to choose from in both fiction and nonfiction — as well as additional keywords and whether that publisher accepts unagented submissions. If seeking a publisher in a certain region, they can select any major city from the countries available, then filter for conditions within that city.

This directory was designed to make it easier for authors to target their ideal publishers. “For every author, there is an optimal publishing route,” says Reedsy CEO Emmanuel Nataf. “We aim to make that route as smooth as possible. Firstly, we have our marketplace services to help authors get their books into fighting shape. Now this directory will help traditionally publishing authors find the perfect home for those books, whether that’s a small press or a big publisher.”

Individual info boxes on each publisher also provide relevant information. “Authors will be able to find everything they need to know about each publisher in our directory,” says Nataf. “All the relevant information is right there.” These entries include each publisher’s location, estimated size, book genres and formats accepted, best-known titles, and where to submit. While browsing, authors can “Save” their favorite publishers to a shortlist that will be emailed to them.

Reedsy also recently launched a literary agents directory, which lists over 600 professional agents working across all literary genres and locations. Perhaps most crucially, the agents directory allows authors to filter for agents who are “interested in debut authors”: first-time authors who want to submit to publishers that only accept agented submissions can begin querying suitable agents right away.

Between these directories and the plentiful other resources that Reedsy provides, every author can embark on that optimal publishing journey in no time. “No matter how you wish to publish,” Nataf says, “With Reedsy, you are in reliable hands.”

To discover the top publishers in each country, check out the following:

More about Reedsy

Since 2014, Reedsy has helped bring over 15,000 books to life by connecting authors with the industry’s top publishing talent. Today, over 2,500 editors, designers, and marketers offer their services through its marketplace. Reedsy also provides author resources via the Reedsy Blog, free online courses through Reedsy Learning, and free webinars through Reedsy Live, giving authors the industry knowledge they need to thrive in today’s publishing landscape. Reedsy’s diverse team of 40 is fully remote, with 15 nationalities represented and languages spoken.

Contact Information
Emmanuel Nataf | CEO
press@reedsy.com