In a statement Tuesday, Nasim said the all-new 408 would be available in two variants with one variant fitted with an enhanced fuel-efficient engine that produces the most power in its segment. Additionally, both variants will feature class-leading cabin space and 562-litres of boot space, it said. Naza group of companies  joint group executive chairman SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said the Peugeot 408 was locally-assembled at Naza Automotive Manufacturing (NAM) in Gurun, Keda, and was ready to be launched for both the Malaysian and regional markets.   "We are targeting to produce 60,000 units of the all-new 408 over a five-year period beginning 2012 and we plan to export 60% of that total to markets in the region," he said. He said Peugeot distributors from Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Brunei, the Philippines and Bangladesh visited NAM last week to get a closer look and test drive the all-new 408.   "The distributors were both impressed and excited over the all-new 408 and will soon place orders to launch the Malaysian-made 408 in their respective countries in the coming months," he said. Nasim COO Datuk Samson Anand George said the 408 would contribute significantly to the company’s sales target of 9,300 units this year, which will represent a 72% jump from its sales in 2011.   He said the all-new 408 will come with Nasim’s recently introduced five-year warranty with unlimited mileage. Together with Nasim’s existing lifetime 24-hours Peugeot Assistance service and its exclusive Peugeot Privilege membership, he said the company aims to provide the best ownership experience for its customers. Source: The Edge Malaysia

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A Malaysian-French Seminar on Railways and Public Transport organised by UBIFRANCE, French Trade Commission in Malaysia in partnership with the Malaysian Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), have attracted much interest from the Malaysian public and private sector, which had mobilized senior level officials to attend the presentations and discussions: SPAD, MRT Co., Prasarana, KTMB, RapidKL, Scomi, MMC Gamuda, etc. The delegation of French companies highlighted the excellent skills of its rail and urban transport sector, which included the engineering technical aspects, track laying, maintenance, security, etc. Nine French companies, many of which have already started their current successful business in Malaysia, comprised of: ALCATEL-LUCENT, ALSTOM TRANSPORT, CATU S.A, COLAS RAIL, EGIS RAIL, ETF Eurovia Travaux Ferroviaires, SYSTRA, THALES, and VOSSLOH COGIFER. This event is a continuation of similar meetings held in Singapore the day before. For reference, Malaysia has embarked on numerous projects and urban rail line as part of its program of economic transformation. The country is preparing a complete restructure of public transport of Grand Kuala Lumpur, including among others 2 extensions and 3 new subway lines (100 stations for 150 km, for an approximate total amount of 10 billion €). In addition, the renovation and a second track of its national rail network should be completed around 2015 and the creation of a new high speed line is being seriously studied to connect Kuala Lumpur to the Malaysian border with Singapore.

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The 9th MIHAS showcase 2012, Malaysia International Halal Showcase, was held from April 4 to 7 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. MIHAS is the world’s flagship Halal trade fair with over 500 exhibition booths from over 30 countries. The event incorporated the notion of halal in all aspects right from halal food and drinks, cosmetics & health care, herbal products & pharmaceuticals to halal logistic. Themed “Embracing the Global Halal Market”, MIHAS 2012 presented good opportunities for French businesses to tap into the growing halal market. Based on the statistics from the International Halal SME Report Directory 2011/12, the average French Muslim household has one of the highest disposable incomes in Europe, spending approximately US$19.5 billion a year on food and non-alcoholic beverages, with only the Muslims in Germany spending higher at US$20.5 billion a year, while Muslims in the UK spend US$8 billion a year on Halal food. Since inception in 2004, MIHAS has registered over US$2 billion in total sales, drawing over 20,000 trade visitors from 70 countries annually. A French Pavilion with seven companies had taken place for the third time in the 9 th MIHAS edition. Amongst these companies, Maison Honoré de faubourg with its non-alcoholic drinks «1688»; Terroir Halal, which provides a wide variety of artisan fine cold cuts; Cargo-Partner, international and independent halal logistics supplier; SVA Jean rozé Group, one of the biggest market leader in the French meat industry; Bayle, manufacturer of equipment for the Poultry Processing Industry; Port of Marseille Fos, one of the leader in the halal logistic and Amand Bianic SA, famous French seafood terrines producer.   The French Pavillon, at the entrance of the exhibition, received the visit from many Malaysian and international professionals. The Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, and his vice-minister Dato’ Mukhriz’ Tun Mahathir, appreciated the mobilization and the quality of the French representation on this International Halal showcase.  

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Technip has been awarded a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract by PETRONAS for its proposed Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project located in the state of Johor, Malaysia. RAPID aims at building a world-scale integrated refinery and petrochemical complex to answer the growing need for specialty chemicals and to meet the demand for petroleum and commodity petrochemical products in the Asia Pacific region by 2016. The proposed refinery will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels per standard day and will supply naphtha and liquid petroleum gas feedstock for the RAPID petrochemical complex, as well as produce gasoline and diesel that meet European specifications. The petrochemical units, on the other hand, will enhance the value of the olefinic streams coming from the RAPID steam cracker by producing various merchant grades petrochemicals products such as polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic rubbers and other petrochemicals products. Thierry Pilenko, Chairman and CEO of Technip, stated: “This award builds on our long-term presence in Asia Pacific and confirms our leadership in the refining and petrochemical sectors. By combining the expertise and the teams of our operating centers in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Paris and Lyon (France), we will be able to provide PETRONAS with the best technological solution and execution scheme.” The contract is scheduled for completion in the second semester of 2013. Technip is a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry. From the deepest Subsea oil & gas developments to the largest and most complex Offshore and Onshore infrastructures, our 30,000 people are constantly offering the best solutions and most innovative technologies to meet the world’s energy challenges. Present in 48 countries, Technip has state-of-the-art industrial assets on all continents and operates a fleet of specialized vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction.

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The Ambassador of France brought together the International Volunteers community in Malaysia for a meeting with representatives of the French business community, during a reception organised at the Residence on February 29. There are approximately 50 International Volunteers in Malaysia working for nearly 40 French companies at the moment. The volunteers are employed by the company’s Malaysian subsidiaries or their local business partners; some work at business centre of the Malaysian-French Chamber of Commerce, and others within the various departments attached to the embassy. For the first time since the launch of this annual meeting, trainees and Volunteers for International Solidarity were associated with the event. Companies interested in the concept of volunteers are invited to contact Ubifrance Malaysia: kualalumpur@ubifrance.fr  

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French fashion brand Sophie Paris, which opened its flagship store in Petaling Jaya (PJ) yesterday as part of its multi-level-marketing (MLM) foray into Malaysia, aims to generate RM15 million in sales in the country this year. After investing RM5 million for its store in the country, Sophie Paris aims to grow the brand by engaging with distributors to promote and sell membership as well as its range of products. "We will start with handbags and accessories first, then introduce our range of cosmetics and clothing later in the year, followed by shoes in 2013," said Sophie Paris Malaysia managing director Geoffrey Bagot at the launch of the store yesterday. The Jakarta-based company hopes to entice customers to sign up as members as they can earn additional income when they continue to recruit members in the process. "This will help to drive and meet our sales target within the next 12 months. We hope to register 20,000 members this year," he said. Sophie Paris was founded in 1995 by Frenchman Bruno Hasson in Indonesia and has since expanded operations to Morocco, Philippines, Vietnam and now Malaysia (its fifth store). The company generated total sales of US$100 million (RM315 million) last year with more than 1.5 million members globally selling 75,000 products everyday. "We are confident in this market because there is no MLM company in Malaysia that solely specialises in highend fashion at affordable prices. We have a new catalogue out every 40 days, so this keeps our products new and fresh. "The fashion industry in Malaysia is very dynamic and since most women love to make shopping a social gathering, this will also be a great business opportunity for them," said Bagot. Currently, the products available in Sophie Paris Malaysia are handbags, wallets, costume jewellery and accessories such as watches and sunglasses. The company distributes and markets its products through a network marketing model. It has nine brands including Son Altese Sophie and Sophie Signature. Sophie Paris has just opened its doors to the public and is located at C-01, PJX-HM Shah Tower, No. 16A, Persiaran Barat, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. For more information about Sophie Paris, please visit www.sophieparis.com.my . Source : Malaysian Reserve

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European and Asian subscribers of Telenor, a leading global telecommunications service provider, are to enjoy fast, crystal clear 3G mobile broadband thanks to the implementation of ’small cells’ technology from the french company Alcatel-Lucent. Under a new global frame agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will have the opportunity to provide Telenor with small cell base stations to support its customers.  These small cells could be used to improve mobile broadband coverage in homes, offices and public locations in the 11 countries in which Telenor operates across Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia (Thailand and Malaysia).  As required by Telenor under the agreement Alcatel-Lucent will be able to provide its end-to-end Femto-technology based 9360 Small Cell solution, including the 9361 Home Cell, the 9362 Enterprise Cell and the 9366 Small Cell Gateway. The solution includes a network management system which combines Alcatel-Lucent’s Wireless Management System, Wireless Provisioning System and the Home Device Manager from its Motive Product Division. Alcatel-Lucent is providing full deployment and integration services along with design, installation and commissioning, software integration and project management. Alcatel-Lucent will be able to provide also comprehensive support to bring superior 3G data services to Telenor’s customers as fast as possible.  A catalogue tailored to all of Telenor Group’s mobile operations covers design, installation, integration, testing, maintenance, and capacity management. As required Alcatel-Lucent canprovide consistent quality of services for Telenor and its customers across all the markets in which it operates.    

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