Latest news with #RM3.04
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia positioning itself to become Asean healthcare innovation and trade hub
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is sharpening its focus on becoming a regional hub for healthcare innovation and trade, as its medical-related exports continue to climb and strategic opportunities in Asean expand. Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) deputy CEO (export acceleration) Mansor Shah Wahid shared Malaysia's progress in healthcare-related exports, stating that in 2024 alone, the country's trade in medical devices and pharmaceuticals hit RM61.31 billion. He noted that medical devices made up 76% of that value, with a 31.6% year-on-year growth, while pharmaceutical exports rose by 4% to RM3.04 billion. 'These figures are not just data points; they reflect the credibility of our regulatory system, the strength of our manufacturers, and the growing trust in made-in-Malaysia products,' Mansor said at the Malaysia Healthcare Day Forum, part of the International Healthcare Week 2025 held recently. He added that Malaysia's export destinations now stretch beyond Asean, with the United States, Germany, Japan and Australia emerging as top markets. Notably, eight of the world's top 30 medical device manufacturers operate in Malaysia, affirming the country's reputation in diagnostics, disposables and implantables. Mansor emphasised that Malaysia's strategic location in the 680-million-strong Asean market, along with its multilingual talent pool and trade agreements, positions it well to capture a larger share of the global medical devices market, which is projected to reach US$695.6 billion (RM2.95 trillion) by 2028. 'In the age of AI disruption, healthcare remains one of the few sectors where human care and judgment are irreplaceable. That's what makes this industry uniquely impactful,' he noted. Expanding on Malaysia's regional positioning, Abdul Halim Mohamed Shariff, deputy director of lifestyle and life sciences at Matrade, delivered a detailed presentation titled 'Malaysia Healthcare Trade Outlook: Trade Opportunities in Asean.' He highlighted that Asean is now the third-largest region globally by population and the fourth-largest in terms of trade volume, creating a highly lucrative landscape for healthcare expansion. 'When incomes rise, healthcare demand grows, not just in quantity but in complexity. This shift is being felt across Asean, especially in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines,' Halim said. He cited the rapid urbanisation and lifestyle changes across the region as key factors driving increased healthcare expenditure. Countries like Indonesia, with the highest population in Southeast Asia, and Singapore, with the highest per capita healthcare spending, are leading indicators of the sector's growth. Despite strong exports, Malaysia remains a significant importer of pharmaceutical products, particularly patented and specialty drugs, from Germany, the US and China. Nonetheless, the local pharmaceutical sector fulfils 70% to 80% of domestic demand for generic medications, and the government expects the local pharmaceutical market to reach US$3.5 billion by 2028. According to Halim, prescription drugs dominate the market and are forecasted to reach US$3 billion by 2028, with patented and generic drugs each contributing over US$1.4 billion. Over-the-counter (OTC) products round out the remaining market share. Malaysia's medical device exports remain its most significant healthcare segment, driven largely by the glove industry and supported by other products, such as catheters and electromedical equipment. In 2024, Malaysia's medical device exports reached US$8.7 billion, solidifying its position among the top five manufacturing sites globally, alongside countries such as Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. 'Malaysia is spending more per capita on medical equipment than several larger economies in the region. This shows our strong commitment to innovation and accessibility in medical technology,' said Halim. He added that spending on medical devices and equipment in Malaysia is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%, reaching US$3.64 billion by 2028, surpassing regional counterparts in growth momentum. Countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia are also becoming increasingly attractive due to economic development and healthcare reforms. Halim cited Vietnam's accelerated urbanisation as a sign of shifting healthcare expectations and rising demand for better services and infrastructure. 'Every challenge, whether it's ageing populations, financing gaps, or healthcare reform, opens the door to new business models. We're seeing strong growth in healthtech, AI-driven diagnostics, and insurance solutions across Asean,' he said. Mansor and Halim reiterated Matrade's role as a bridge for international buyers and Malaysian exporters, with overseas offices and databases accessible to businesses seeking partners, market data, or regulatory guidance. Matrade's presence at major international expos will continue to anchor Malaysia's brand globally. At the same time, initiatives such as the eTrade Programme and Business Information Centre aim to provide exporters and foreign partners with the tools to navigate cross-border opportunities. 'We encourage foreign players to reach out to our offices worldwide. You could browse the internet, yes, but we offer more than just information. We connect you with vetted partners and real market opportunities,' said Halim. International Healthcare Week 2025, co-organised with Informa Markets, is a testament to Malaysia's ambitions. From showcasing 10 home-grown brands at the Malaysian Pavilion to convening key regulatory and investment bodies, the event reflects a unified effort to position Malaysia as a regional leader in healthcare trade. 'Malaysia is not just an entry point, it's a launchpad for the Asean region,' said Mansor. 'Let us not miss the opportunity to form partnerships that shape lives and businesses far beyond our borders.'
Borneo Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
From ‘roti canai' to ‘satay': Beloved Malaysian foods see prices nearly double over 13 years, says DOSM
DOSM's report, Analysis of Annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024, showed that the price of roti canai rose by 71.1 per cent, from an average of 90 sen per piece in 2011 to RM1.54 in 2024. – File photo KUALA LUMPUR (April 30): Fancy roti canai for breakfast, nasi lemak for lunch, and satay for dinner, these beloved Malaysians' staples have almost doubled in price over the past 13 years, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). The department's report, Analysis of Annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024, showed that the price of roti canai rose by 71.1 per cent, from an average of 90 sen per piece in 2011 to RM1.54 in 2024, while nasi lemak increased by 81.3 per cent from RM2.03 to RM3.68 per plate. Chicken satay saw over two-fold rise in price, soaring 113.7 per cent from 51 sen per stick to RM1.09. Among others, the report indicated that big onions imported from India also saw a significant increase of 139.4 per cent, with prices climbing from RM2.89 to RM6.92 per kilogramme (kg) over the same period. As for other everyday essentials included in the analysis, fresh coconut milk rose from RM7.39 to RM11.54 per kg, and grated coconut increased from RM5.18 to RM8.33 per kg. Meanwhile, local beef prices in the meat category almost doubled from RM19.05 to RM37.84 per kg between 2011 and 2024. The steepest increase, however, was seen in cockles, which surged by 400.3 per cent, from RM3.04 to RM15.21 per kg. Earlier today, DOSM reported that Malaysia's inflation rose at a slower pace of 1.8 per cent in 2024 compared with 2.5 per cent in 2023, with the index points standing at 132.8 in 2024 versus 130.4 in the previous year. It said the country's inflation is in line with the global inflation rate of 5.7 per cent in 2024, slower that the 6.6 per cent recorded in 2023, citing the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025. CPI DOSM economy food Inflation price
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When Should You Buy Unisem (M) Berhad (KLSE:UNISEM)?
Unisem (M) Berhad (KLSE:UNISEM), is not the largest company out there, but it saw significant share price movement during recent months on the KLSE, rising to highs of RM3.04 and falling to the lows of RM1.90. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Unisem (M) Berhad's current trading price of RM1.98 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Let's take a look at Unisem (M) Berhad's outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Unisem (M) Berhad is currently expensive based on our price multiple model, where we look at the company's price-to-earnings ratio in comparison to the industry average. We've used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because there's not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stock's ratio of 52.65x is currently well-above the industry average of 31.87x, meaning that it is trading at a more expensive price relative to its peers. If you like the stock, you may want to keep an eye out for a potential price decline in the future. Given that Unisem (M) Berhad's share is fairly volatile (i.e. its price movements are magnified relative to the rest of the market) this could mean the price can sink lower, giving us another chance to buy in the future. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for share price volatility. See our latest analysis for Unisem (M) Berhad Future outlook is an important aspect when you're looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that it's the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Unisem (M) Berhad's earnings over the next few years are expected to double, indicating a very optimistic future ahead. This should lead to stronger cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. Are you a shareholder? It seems like the market has well and truly priced in UNISEM's positive outlook, with shares trading above industry price multiples. At this current price, shareholders may be asking a different question – should I sell? If you believe UNISEM should trade below its current price, selling high and buying it back up again when its price falls towards the industry PE ratio can be profitable. But before you make this decision, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed. Are you a potential investor? If you've been keeping tabs on UNISEM for some time, now may not be the best time to enter into the stock. The price has surpassed its industry peers, which means it is likely that there is no more upside from mispricing. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for UNISEM, which means it's worth diving deeper into other factors in order to take advantage of the next price drop. If you want to dive deeper into Unisem (M) Berhad, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. Be aware that Unisem (M) Berhad is showing 2 warning signs in our investment analysis and 1 of those is a bit unpleasant... If you are no longer interested in Unisem (M) Berhad, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
