CGC Digital and B2B Finpal Partner to Expand Access to MSME Financing Through Innovative Digital Solutions

Yushida Husin, Chief Executive Officer, CGC Digital

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 (Bernama) -- CGC Digital, the fintech subsidiary of Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC), today announced a strategic collaboration with B2B Finpal, a leading peer-to-peer (P2P) financing platform, aimed at broadening access to financing for Malaysia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

This collaboration introduces a bespoke credit guarantee scheme by CGC Digital to support B2B Finpal’s Purchase Financing product—an innovative, short-term financing solution designed to help MSMEs meet capital needs during procurement cycles. The initiative addresses long-standing financing gaps by combining digital innovation with tailored risk- sharing mechanisms.

Key features of the Purchase Financing programme include:
· Financing of up to RM300,000 – Empowering MSMEs to fulfil larger purchase orders.
· Short-term tenure of up to 120 days – Supporting efficient procurement and fulfilment without immediate financial strain.
· Fast approvals within five days – Ensuring quick access to funds when MSMEs need it most.

The partnership marks the first phase of a broader, scalable programme, with both parties committed to co-developing more financing products to further strengthen MSME financial inclusion across Malaysia.

In addition, the Purchase Financing product will be made available on imSME, Malaysia’s first online financing referral platform for MSMEs, operated by CGC Digital. This integration is set to increase visibility and accessibility, helping more businesses identify and secure suitable financing solutions.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to accelerating MSME growth by collaborating with alternative finance providers,” said Yushida Husin, CEO of CGC Digital. “At CGC Digital, we champion open and inclusive partnerships that go beyond platforms. By embracing innovation and collaboration, we are building a more inclusive financing ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of Malaysian MSMEs.”

Through this strategic alliance, CGC Digital and B2B Finpal are poised to make a meaningful impact on the country’s MSME financing landscape.

For more information, please visit
www.cgcdigital.com.my | www.imsme.com.my | www.b2bfinpal.com
About CGC Digital
CGC Digital is a FinTech company, established as the digital arm of Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad. Registered in July 2022, its primary goal is to empower Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by creating a simpler and more seamless financing experience in the digital ecosystem.
For more information about CGC Digital, please visit www.cgcdigital.com.my.

About B2B Finpal
B2B Finpal is an approved peer-to-peer (P2P) financing platform registered with the Securities Commission Malaysia. Focused on serving the needs of Malaysian businesses, B2B Finpal connects creditworthy MSMEs with investors, offering fast, flexible, and transparent financing solutions to support business growth.
For more information about B2B Finpal, please visit www.b2bfinpal.com.

SOURCE: Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Media Contact
Name: Chin Sze Yuen
Head of Partnerships & Marketing
Tel: +60169776034
Email: szeyuen.chin@cgcdigital.com.my

Name: Er Chiang Chuan
Head of Business Development & Operations
Tel: +60178823971
Email: chiangchuan.er@b2bfinpal.com

--BERNAMA

THAILAND’S ASIAN RE CREDIT RATINGS UPGRADED - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has upgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Good) from B+ (Good) and the long-term issuer credit rating to “bbb” (Good) from “bbb-” (Good) of Thailand’s Asian Reinsurance Corporation (Asian Re).

The outlook of these credit ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive, reflecting Asian Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

AM Best in a statement said the rating upgrades reflected Asian Re’s sustained improvement in operating performance in recent years, evidenced by a return-on-equity ratio of 9.4 per cent in 2024, and it has achieved positive operating results in four of the last five years.

The company’s investment returns, arising mainly from interest income, have consistently supported operating earnings. Prospectively, AM Best expects Asian Re’s operating performance to be supported by sound underwriting profitability and robust investment returns.

Asian Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which was at the strongest level at year-end 2024, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, and is expected to remain at that level over the medium term.

Notwithstanding, the company is viewed to have a relatively modest absolute capital base of US$76 million at year-end 2024, as compared with regional reinsurance peers, which increases the sensitivity of its balance sheet to shock events. (US$1=RM4.21)

AM Best views Asian Re’s business profile as limited, reflecting its position as a regional non-life reinsurer, with a modest-sized gross premium base of US$26 million in 2024, in which the company writes treaty and facultative business in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Despite persistent market and regulatory challenges in some of the markets where it operates, Asian Re is expected to continue to implement several strategic initiatives and business partnerships that are aimed at expanding its underwriting portfolio and market presence over the medium term.

-- BERNAMA

INFLUENCER TEARDOWNS HIGHLIGHT MIDEA’S ROLE IN GLOBAL AC SUPPLY CHAIN

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Chinese company Midea, the world’s largest producer of residential inverter air conditioners (ACs), has drawn attention to its self-developed inverter compressor following teardown reviews of ACs by influencers in Malaysia and Thailand, which have sparked widespread discussion.

Many viewers were surprised to discover that top Japanese brands like Panasonic and Daikin use Guangdong Meizhi Compressor Company (GMCC) compressors—a core component manufactured by Midea.

Malaysian tech DIYer Berani Buat disassembled units from both brands, uncovering the GMCC label and surprising viewers who expected Japanese-made core components, while Thai influencers including Daddy Tips, Lungchang, BT Beartai, and Extreme IT echoed similar findings, showcasing how the GMCC compressor plays a central role in cooling performance.

In a statement, Midea said these reviews challenge perceptions of brand origin and highlight its role not just as a supplier but as a global innovator in air conditioning, quietly powering ACs with cutting-edge compressor technology.

Often referred to as the “heart” of an AC, the compressor is the most critical component in an air conditioning system, directly influencing cooling efficiency and energy consumption, whereby inverter technology optimises the compressor's speed according to room temperature fluctuations.

Midea’s self-developed inverter compressor delivers up to 50 per cent energy savings over traditional models and 20 per cent over standard inverters, and its artificial intelligence algorithm analyses indoor temperatures to reduce fluctuations, boosting comfort and efficiency.

Furthermore, Midea’s advanced compressor and inverter technology deliver strong cooling, quiet performance, and energy efficiency ideal for Southeast Asia’s hot climate, as Midea ACs feature Prime Guard with seven key protections, designed for regional challenges.

The company’s technological leadership has gained global recognition, serving over 400 million users in 200 countries. It has exported 8.3 million inverter ACs to Southeast Asia in 2022, hence contributing significantly to regional growth.

-- BERNAMA

CLOUDERA JOINS AI-RAN ALLIANCE TO POWER INTELLIGENT, AI-DRIVEN TELECOM NETWORKS

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Cloudera, a hybrid platform for data, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), has joined the AI-RAN Alliance, a global consortium focused on AI into telecommunications infrastructure.

In a statement, Cloudera said it joined major industry players including Dell, NVIDIA, SoftBank, T-Mobile, KT and LG U+, with the collective aim of transforming telecom networks into intelligent platforms powered by real-time data and AI.

Cloudera Chief Strategy Officer, Abhas Ricky said Cloudera is proud to bring its data and AI expertise to the AI-RAN Alliance.

“We look forward to accelerating innovation alongside alliance members and helping define the data standards and architectures for AI-native networks,” he said.

Meanwhile, AI-RAN Alliance Chair and SoftBank’s Research Institute of Advanced Technology Principal Fellow, Dr Alex Jinsung Choi described Cloudera as an incredible addition that will play a vital role in advancing AI-native telecom infrastructure.

The AI-RAN Alliance seeks to standardise the integration of AI across existing and future networks, support shared infrastructure for AI optimisation, and fast-track the deployment of edge AI applications, while also aiming to develop reference architectures to help operators implement AI solutions profitably and at scale.

With the rising complexity of deploying AI across distributed edge environments, telecommunication providers must adopt strategic, enterprise-wide efforts to operationalise AI within radio access networks (RAN).

As a new member, Cloudera will contribute to the ‘Data for AI-RAN’ working group, focusing on data orchestration, large language model (LLM)-driven automation, and machine learning operations (MLOps) for hybrid AI workloads. The initiative is expected to align data and AI pipelines with telecom operational needs, enabling faster deployment of AI-native use cases.

The company will also support the alliance’s three core objectives—AI-for-RAN, AI-and-RAN, and AI-on-RAN—while working with partners to pilot AI applications such as real-time anomaly detection and service-level agreement (SLA)-driven network availability.

-- BERNAMA

Recognising Early Signs, Celebrating Every Mind: ParkCity Medical Centre Champions Neurodiversity

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- ParkCity Medical Centre (PMC) recently hosted Advancing Neurodiversity, a vibrant community event held in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month. The event brought together families, professionals, and advocates at Pusat Kreatif Kanak-Kanak Tuanku Bainun to promote early intervention, inclusion, and greater understanding of neurodivergent individuals.

The spotlight was on Charlotte Cheng Tze Lin—an educator, artist, and successful entrepreneur—who shared her personal journey as a neurodivergent individual. “There wasn’t much awareness or understanding about neurodivergence growing up, which made everyday life difficult,” she recalled. Today, Charlotte runs a thriving artisanal chocolate business, turning her challenges into creative strengths. “Neurodivergence is not a flaw—it’s simply a different way of experiencing the world.”

Her story captured the spirit of the event: celebrating unique minds and breaking down barriers through education, dialogue, and shared experiences.

PMC CEO Dr Savitha Dharan said, “We believe that every individual, regardless of their neurological profile, deserves the opportunity to thrive in an environment that recognises and respects their unique strengths. Advancing Neurodiversity was more than an awareness event, it was a call to action to embrace inclusivity and to support families in their journey.”

A key feature of the event was the panel discussion Supporting Different Minds, moderated by Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, Consultant General and Developmental Paediatrician at PMC. The panel featured a diverse group of voices including a speech therapist, clinical psychologist, audiologist, neurodivergent individual, parents, and representatives from Care2Run. They shared insights on how early recognition and community support are critical to helping neurodivergent individuals thrive.

“Neurodiversity includes natural differences in brain function, such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia,” explained Dr Rajini. “These are not flaws, but they do require support. With the right support, structure, and understanding, neurodivergent individuals can thrive. Events like Advancing Neurodiversity play a key role in helping families access reliable information, connect with professionals, and feel less alone in their journey.”

The day also featured engaging activities for children and families, including art sessions in the Creative Calming Zone, storytelling in the Young YouTuber Studio, football, bubble play, and the Medallion Challenge. Informative booths offered therapy tools and learning resources for parents and caregivers.

Students from Fugee School volunteered at the event, gaining valuable exposure to the neurodivergent community. In appreciation, PMC donated RM6,000 worth of books to the school, matched by BookXcess—a collaboration that underscored shared values of empathy, learning, and inclusion.

The event was further enriched by community partners including Bake With Dignity, United Voice, Autism Cafe Project, and Charrolmarc Chocolates. Together, they showcased the talents and contributions of neurodivergent individuals, demonstrating that true inclusion is possible when communities come together.

Source: Advertising.com.my

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Carmen Ng
Assistant Manager Marketing
Tel: +60 12-716 7620
Email: carmen.ng@asia1health.com

--BERNAMA

MALAYSIA PRODUCTIVITY CORPORATION (MPC) AND BIMP–EAGA BUSINESS COUNCIL (BEBC) FORMALISE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST LOGISTICS PRODUCTIVITY

 

The signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation document by Pengiran (Dr.) Haji Haris Pg Haji Duraman, Chairman of BEBC (right), together with the Chairman of LPN, Dato Seri Michael Tio (left), witnessed by the Director General of MPC, Datuk Zahid Ismail (center)

MIRI, June 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and BIMP–EAGA Business Council (BEBC) have officially signed a Letter of Collaboration, marking a pivotal step toward enhancing productivity and efficiency in the logistics sector. The partnership focuses on strengthening cross-border trade and connectivity between Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and Brunei.

The collaboration signing ceremony was held in Miri, Sarawak, with YBhg. Datuk Zahid Ismail, Director General of MPC, and YBhg. Pengiran (Dr.) Haji Haris Pg Haji Duraman, Chairman of BEBC, representing their respective organisations. Both parties share a unified vision to future-proof the logistics industry by implementing targeted programmes that address key challenges and streamline operations to reduce costs. Representing BEBC Brunei as Country Directors, Thomas Koh and Haji Alimen Haji Jaafar were present to witness the signing demonstrating BEBC Brunei’s active and direct involvement in driving cross-border connectivity efforts among Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak under the BIMP-EAGA framework.

Cross-border trade between Sarawak and Brunei increased by 23.8% in 2023, reaching RM3.76 billion. This significant growth underscores the urgent need for reforms to eliminate regulatory and logistical barriers such as permit duplications, inconsistent transit fees, and manual customs procedures that have traditionally impeded smooth goods movement.

Key focus areas of the collaboration include:

· Streamlining regulatory frameworks and closing infrastructure gaps to improve connectivity.
· Driving digital integration and productivity frameworks, led by MPC, including digitised permit systems and harmonised customs processes.
· Simplifying processes to reduce clearance times.
· Strengthening business partnerships to connect value chains and unlock new economic opportunities.
· Promoting sustainable and resilient trade practices to ensure long-term competitiveness

The partnership aims to reduce transport costs by up to 50% through the removal of redundant permits and improved procedures. By 2030, the collaboration targets a 25– 30% increase in trade volume, a reduction in clearance times, and the creation of over 15,000 new jobs in the logistics sector.

MPC will lead the development of productivity frameworks and digital reforms, while BEBC will ensure the industry’s needs are effectively represented. The sustained cooperation among Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and related authorities is vital to maintain efficient, secure, and future-ready trade flows.

This initiative positions BIMP-EAGA as a competitive economic corridor in the ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s national productivity and economic growth.

SOURCE: Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Nik Haneez Amizan Nik Rosdi
Tel: 019-7181804
Email: nikhaneez@mpc.gov.my

Name: Nazahiah Mohamad
Tel: 018-3757451
Email: nazahiah@mpc.gov.my

--BERNAMA

DUCK CREEK TECHNOLOGIES TO DRIVE CORE INSURANCE MODERNISATION AT CAPRICORN MUTUAL

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Duck Creek Technologies, the global provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, has announced a new strategic partnership with Capricorn Mutual, the insurance arm of one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest member-owned organisations, Capricorn.

“We are thrilled to welcome Capricorn Mutual to the Duck Creek flock. Throughout the selection process, Capricorn Mutual rigorously reviewed and tested the range of solutions available in the market to ensure that their members would receive the best experiences and outcomes possible.

“Duck Creek is privileged to be recognised as the leading solution and we look forward to helping Capricorn Mutual build even deeper member relations,” said Duck Creek General Manager of APAC, Christian Erickson in a statement.

Meanwhile, Capricorn Risk Services Chief Executive Officer, Rod Scanlon said: “We identified that technology should be a key enabler of our business strategy and objectives. Duck Creek enables us to enhance our automation capabilities, improve workflows and integrate our insurance system with our other member benefits solutions.”

Under the partnership, Capricorn Mutual will adopt Duck Creek’s full-suite of Software as a Service (SaaS) core insurance solutions—including Policy, Rating, Billing, Claims, and Clarity (data and analytics)—delivered through the OnDemand cloud platform.

This implementation will replace Capricorn Mutual’s incumbent legacy technology stack, enabling enhanced coverage offerings and experiences for Capricorn’s 30,000 small and medium auto business members.

With their auto-trade members operating in a dynamic and high-risk environment, Capricorn Mutual needed a core delivery solution that supported their strategy of deepening relationships with members, uplifting processes to deliver best-in-class experiences, and continually improving products, services and risk management.

-- BERNAMA