Businesses call for greater government support, access to financing
Published on: Wed, Jul 16, 2025 Text Size: RAM chief executive officer and executive director Chris W.K. Lee said that while businesses remain cautious, it is encouraging to see that companies are still investing and hiring. Kuala Lumpur: Businesses are calling for more assistance from the government, especially in terms of better access to financing and working capital, according to RAM Holdings Bhd. In a statement, the credit rating agency said grants and direct subsidies are equally in demand to help offset the challenges posed by trade tensions.
Advertisement 'The latest RAM-CTOS Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey highlighted the growing pressures Malaysian businesses face from rising costs, intensified competition and external trade disruptions such as the United States (US) tariffs,' it said. RAM chief executive officer and executive director Chris W.K. Lee said that while businesses remain cautious, it is encouraging to see that companies are still investing and hiring. He said government and industry stakeholders must work together to respond to the new challenges for businesses to survive and thrive. Meanwhile, RAM said that the second quarter of 2025's survey, conducted from May 29 to June 28 and involving 33 firms, placed special focus on the impact of US tariffs on Malaysian goods. 'Around two-thirds of firms surveyed anticipate a negative impact from these tariffs, of which a significant 27 per cent of firms expect a major negative impact, with firms anticipating moderate and minor impact each at 18 per cent. 'Sales and revenue topped the list of business aspects likely to be hit, followed by profit margins, supply chains and cash flow,' it said. The company said, in response, that firms are mainly adopting cost-related strategies to mitigate tariff impacts. About 42 per cent are focusing on cutting operational expenses, while 39 per cent are adjusting pricing strategies to remain competitive, it added. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
32 minutes ago
- The Star
40-year crunch with a cult following
Recipe for success: A worker preparing an order of muruku in Guar Perahu, Bukit Mertajam — Bernama BUKIT MERTAJAM: A proudly Malaysian-made snack has stood the test of time since 1984, gaining loyal customers locally and abroad thanks to its unique recipe passed down through the generations. The homegrown brand, run by a husband and wife team from Guar Perahu, here, continues to thrive with its authentic flavours and commitment to natural ingredients. Idris Alias, 67, and Fatimah Ishak, 63, started their muruku business from home after Fatimah inherited the recipe from her mother-in-law. Fatimah said the uniqueness of their product lies in its use of natural ingredients without any colouring and it contains no eggs, anchovies or other animal-based products. 'Because of that, our muruku is suitable for those on a vegetarian diet,' she told Bernama. She said that when they first started the business, she was seven months pregnant. 'As a result, we only made small batches. We had little capital, but I still gave it a try by taking orders from friends. 'We started at home and gradually expanded our business. Nine years ago, we opened a shop in Kubang Semang. 'We reinvested our profits and the business gradually grew,' she said. Fatimah said over 85% of their customers are from the Chinese community, with Chinese New Year being the peak season every year. 'We once received an order from Taiwan but had to turn it down due to high shipping costs. However, the customer came here personally and bought a large quantity to bring back,' she said. Fatimah said they currently use two frying machines, although only one operates on normal days with a production capacity of 150kg per day. During festive seasons, output can reach up to 200kg daily. Meanwhile, Idris shared that their family business is now supported by their son and daughter-in-law. Speaking about the challenges faced as entrepreneurs, he said limited operating space remains the main issue in meeting high demand, which has even led them to decline offers to place their product in a convenience store chain. Nevertheless, the couple is determined to expand the business in the future, with hopes of passing it on to their only child. 'My advice to young entrepreneurs is to first identify your product and your target customers. Patience is essential in the business world. 'Most importantly, as Muslims, we must always give charity and pay zakat. That is the key to sustained blessings, not just in terms of income, but also health,' Idris said.
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
Culture key for M+C Saatchi as agency rolls out fresh proposition
PETALING JAYA: The ability to grasp and effectively resonate with culture has become critical for driving brand growth in today's media landscape. With the growing fragmentation of media, audiences are now more spread out and difficult to reach. 'The role of the marketer in building brands has been fundamentally challenged and is more complex than ever,' said Justin Graham, Asia-Pacific chief executive officer of M+C Saatchi Group. As a result, it is essential that agencies quickly adapt. In light of this rapidly changing environment, M+C Saatchi Group recently unveiled its global 'Cultural Power' framework, developed to unite deep cultural insight with creative strategy across all its touchpoints. 'We're bringing this notion of creating and curating Cultural Power to the centre of our proposition. Recognising that brands are built through culture, it's an extraordinary space for us to understand short-term and long-term trends, and how brands can be built in an enduring way,' said Graham. This proprietary approach aims to go beneath the surface data to uncover cultural truths that shape consumer behaviour. 'While data shows us behaviours, culture reveals the values and tensions behind them,' he explained. Underpinning the framework is the Cultural Power Index, M+C Saatchi's AI-powered, data-driven diagnostic and insights tool developed to measure a brand's cultural power and identify its effect on business performance. Using AI-enhanced analysis and expert workshops, the index examines and compares brands around the world, tracking brand desire, influence, and presence. From there, it then also takes into account cultural moments and their impact. Graham: While data shows us behaviours, culture reveals the values and tensions behind them. — ART CHEN/The Star 'We live in a dynamic world where there are constantly new trends, movements, and shifts in how people think about themselves and how they relate to the culture,' Graham said. 'What are the moments that brands should be buying into? What are the ones that are not relevant to them at all? We've all seen brands that have jumped onto something and thought, why is that bank involved in that funny TikTok trend? Why is that telco company doing this?' To help brands harness their cultural power, the index provides these insights and translates them into strategy to deliver authenticity and emotional resonance. Additionally, its real-time tracking component monitors shifts in cultural perception, ensuring brands are able to stay ahead. As the framework rolls out across the group's global network, Graham shares that each market will see a level of localisation based on its unique cultural context. 'I think it will look very different, as there are various nuances within Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. 'In fact, the Malaysian market has arguably embraced brands into the cultural context more than others, whether it be festivities, religious holidays, or cultural moments. So there seems to be more permission for brands to drive cultural resonance and cultural power here in Malaysia.' Datin Lara Hussein, chief executive officer and founder of M+C Saatchi Malaysia, adds that the ethos of using culture as a springboard has guided some of the agency's most resonant past campaigns, such as Axiata's 'Getaran Story'. Ahead of Merdeka celebrations, the brand launched a film titled Getaran Pertama, which followed the journey to form the first choir that would sing the national anthem for a new independent Malaya. Featuring documentary-style interviews providing first-hand accounts, the film showcased how Malayans of different races and backgrounds came together in an emblematic unity that echoed the hopes for the new nation. 'It was a very human, heartfelt story that avoided cliché. We were able to find the real people, who are in their 80s now, but were young kids back in 1957,' Lara said. 'It's about finding that nuance that's going to have an impact and make a difference, as opposed to superficial storytelling.' The Cultural Power identity refresh, she noted, further cements M+C Saatchi's commitment towards embedding cultural knowledge at every stage so that clients can connect on a strategic and human level. Graham adds that this approach often brings a multiplier effect that extends beyond traditional lines between bought media, earned media, owned media. 'On the owned media side, it is also about how we can create culturally resonant and relevant stories and experiences within organisations, so that it's as meaningful for the people that work there as it is for the customers that they're talking to,' he said. 'It's really broadening out the scope of what a brand can look like, and showing how it is one of the most powerful assets an organisation can have.'
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Barnama
Malaysia-Thailand Border Area Boat Race Can Spur local Economy
PASIR MAS, July 20 (Bernama) -- The proposal to organise a boat race competition between Malaysia and Thailand at Sungai Golok is not only expected to revive a traditional sport shared by both countries, but also serve as a catalyst for economic and tourism growth in the border area. Kelantan Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor said the initiative has the potential to provide benefits to small traders, homestay operators and tourism services providers around Pasir Mas and areas bordering Sungai Golok. "We feel that events like this can revive the local economy because travellers will come not just to watch the boat race, but also to sample the traditional food, stay in local hotels or homestays and purchase handicrafts,' he told reporters while attending the trial boat race at Sungai Golok (Malaysian side) here today. He added that the proposed location (for the boat race) - the Pohon Jambu base - is already known as a focal point for Malaysian and Thai communities, and its selection is expected to have a direct impact on the economic activities of nearby residents. "This place is beautiful and suitable for such an event because the river is not too wide and already has basic facilities. We also receive good cooperation from the Sungai Golok authorities,' he said. He added that discussions would be held to organise it on a larger scale by involving more teams from Kelantan and Thailand's Narathiwat province, so that it can be turned into an annual affair. Besides the main competition, a unique event being planned is a blindfolded boat race, which could add value and attract more visitors from both countries. This year's trial race, held over two days on July 19 and 20, features 40 teams, including five from Malaysia, attracting an estimated 1,000 spectators. Such events not only help preserve cultural heritage, but also play a significant role in revitalising the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism activities in the border area.
