• 2012

3/1/2012 Businesses confidence on a knife edge heading into 2012

Kuala Lumpur, 3 January 2012: Global business confidence is balancing on a knife edge heading into 2012 according to new figures from Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR). With the global economic outlook dominated by the crisis in the eurozone, fears are increasing that business growth will become even more difficult than in 2011.

• 2011

19/7/2011 Grant Thornton honours Accountant General and First Accountant General

Kuala Lumpur, 19 July 2011:The Accountant General of Malaysia, YBhg Datuk Wan Selamah Wan Sulaiman and the First Accountant General of Malaysia, YBhg Dato’ Shamsir Omar were presented the Honour & Recognition Award by Grant Thornton in appreciation for their outstanding contribution towards the public accounting sector.

6/6/2011 Cost management main driver for Malaysian Businesses to practice CSR activities

Kuala Lumpur, 6 June 2011: An altruistic desire to preserve the natural environment remains low on the agenda of businesses according to the 2011 Grant Thornton International Business Report. Just 36% of businesses globally are motivated to move to more ethical practices by a desire to 'save the planet', down from 40% in 2008.

17/2/2011 MLEs in Malaysia increase M&A volumes for strategic growth

Kuala Lumpur, 17 February 2011: An increasing number of Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) are planning to grow through acquisition according to the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR). In its latest global study conducted at the end of 2010, the proportion of respondents anticipating making an acquisition in the next three years increased to 34% this year, an increase of 8% compared to twelve months ago (see figure 1).

14/2/2011 (Bernama) -- Higher Prices For Essential Items Cannot Impact High Income Nation
Malaysia need not worry much about the high prices of essential items such as food and oil, if it successfully moves to a high-value economy, and from a middle to high income nation.

11/1/2011 (Bernama) -- Impact From ETP Increasingly Visible, Says Najib
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said impacts from the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) were increasingly visible. "The confidence of the business sector and investors in the Malaysian economy is rising higher," he said during a media briefing on the Third Economic Transformation Programme Update here Tuesday.

5/1/2011 Malaysian businesses remain optimistic in year 2011 says Grant Thornton survey

Businesses in Malaysia remain positive about the outlook of the Malaysian economy for the year 2011. The results of the International Business Report (IBR), a survey of over 11,000 businesses per year across 30 economies have shown that a balance of +50% of Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) in Malaysia are optimistic for the year ahead as compared to a balance of +49% the year before. This is the highest recorded optimism level for Malaysia since its participation in IBR.

• 2010

10/11/2010 Guarding the standards of the accounting and auditing profession

Kuala Lumpur, 10 November 2010 - The convergence of Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (FRS) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is vital in attracting more foreign investment to Malaysia. Increasing foreign investment is in line with our economic plan to transform Malaysia into a developed and high-income economy. Full adoption of IFRS will help with this plan by increasing the transparency and credibility of financial reporting in our country.

15/10/2010 Budget 2011 – Malaysia, a shopping paradise.

Kuala Lumpur, 15 October 2010 - In line with the Government’s mission to achieve Vision 2020 and high income nation, the 2011 Budget has shown emphasis on spending in areas that encourage inclusive and sustainable development. Various changes and measures as can be seen, are set to ease the doing business of the entrepreneurs.

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• 24/05/2010 Emerging Nations lead the way to recovery

  Kuala Lumpur, 24 May 2010 - The future looks bright for emerging economies according to the Grant Thornton International Business Report 2010. A balance of +57% of Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) in 14 of the world's leading emerging markets indicated that they were optimistic about the prospects for their country's economy in the year ahead. At the same time, a balance of just +2 per cent of businesses in mature economies indicated that they were optimistic. These figures compare with a global average of +24 per cent.

15/04/2010 Malaysia’s the New Economic Model (NEM) and the challenges and opportunities in industry

Kuala Lumpur, 15 April 2010 - Earlier today, one of Malaysia’s most promising young Ministers, YB Dato' Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade & Industry joined the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) Premier Business Luncheon sponsored by Grant Thornton at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel Kuala Lumpur to share some key insights for companies doing business in Malaysia.

• 04/03/2010 Tough year ahead for employees but more hope for job seekers

  Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) across the world decreased their employee numbers during 2009, the first time since Grant Thornton began researching employment issues in its International Business Report (IBR) in 2003 that the number of businesses cutting headcount has exceeded those increasing it. The survey, of over 7,400 MLEs across 36 economies, shows a global balance* of -8% compared to +21% in 2009 - a drop of 29 percentage points.

  05/01/2010 Optimism bounces back for businesses globally

  Optimism amongst Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) around the world has bounced back to give the Grant Thornton global optimism/pessimism index for 2010 an optimism balance* of +24%, compared to its lowest ever score of -16% this time last year. The International Business Report (IBR) survey of over 7,400 MLEs across 36 economies, now in its 18th year, also highlights a group of ten economies where businesses are more optimistic about the outlook for their economies than International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts might suggest.

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• 2009

• 23/10/2009 Budget 2010 – Setting the Tone for Change

  It may be a subdued budget at first glance, but it plants the seeds of change in its policy making. After the announcement of the recent heavy stimulus package, the annual Budget 2010 is no doubt a challenging one to the policymakers as structural changes are needed to cater for the largest budget deficit since 1987.

• 29/04/2009 Women hold a quarter of senior management positions in MLEs

  New research from Grant Thornton International reveals that Malaysia ranked fifth globally for senior positions held by women with 31% compared to the global average of 24%. The percentage of women in senior management of business has increased as much as +8% from 23% in the year of 2007. A total of 39% of businesses in Malaysia have three or more women holding senior positions.

• 18/03/2009 No pay rises at a quarter of MLEs - globally

  Employees at nearly a quarter of Medium and Large Enterprises (MLEs) around the world could be worse off in the year ahead. Research from the Grant Thornton International Business Report reveals that 21% of businesses plan to offer no pay rise in 2009 while 3% of businesses actually expect to reduce pay.

• 10/03/2009 Stimulus budget brief commentary

  The economy is growing at a slower pace now. As the Government has promised to fulfill its mission, providing short-medium proposals to heal the country’s fiscal condition, a number of tax incentives have been introduced in the current stimulus package in order to face the economy crisis currently in progress.

• 20/02/2009 Shortage of orders hits growth – need for effective stimulus

  Malaysian business growth is suffering from reduced demand, with 58% of businesses reporting it as a major constraint. In fact, 49% of Medium and Large Enterprises (MLEs) globally rank it as a constraint on expansion a rise from 31% in 2008. 25 of the 36 economies surveyed in the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) placed reduced demand at the top of the league of business constraints.

• 05/01/2009 Slump in Optimism amongst MLEs but also pockets of hope

  Optimism amongst Medium to Large Enterprise (MLEs) around the world has slumped by 56% in the last 12 months and pushed the Grant Thornton International optimism/pessimism barometer to a record negative balance of -16% compared to +40% this time last year.

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• 2008

• 29/08/2008 2009 Budget Commentary

  The recent budget announcement had good news for the individuals. A noteworthy announcement was the reduction in the tax rates in the top bracket and the middle bracket.

  15/07/2008 Grant Thornton releases International Business Report (IBR) 2008

  The Malaysia results from the 2008 Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) was released today at an event that also saw the announcement of a new branding exercise for the international accounting and consulting firm.

  25/06/2008 CORPORATE LEADER AWARD to honour CSR efforts by CEOS

  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important to us all, both as individuals and in our professional lives. Lately many firms have come forward to express their CSR agenda. Despite much public focus on large companies, many failed to recognise the various contributions by corporate individuals who continue to successfully promote CSR single-handedly on many levels.

  07/05/2008 Malaysia amongst top ten emerging economies

  Malaysia is amongst the top ten emerging economies, with neighbouring countries Indonesia and Thailand also making the list, according to the International Business Report (IBR), produced by Grant Thornton International. The emerging markets index produced using a weighted calculation of key indicators*, shows China and India are still occupying the top two places this year.

  25/04/2008 Half of MLEs to grow through acquisition

• According to the International Business Report, produced by Grant Thornton International, despite the turbulence in the world financial markets, 44 per cent of medium-to-large-enterprises (MLEs) globally are planning to grow through acquisition in the next three years and 23 per cent of those businesses anticipate a cross border deal.

• 10/04/2008 Staff Costs escalating for MLES

  Globally, 63 per cent of Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) are paying significantly more in staff costs than a year ago according to the International Business Report, produced by Grant Thornton International. China (91 per cent), India (85 per cent) and Turkey (83 per cent) have the highest percentages of businesses reporting higher staff costs.

• 27/03/2008 Shortage of skilled workers is major business constraint

  Malaysian business growth is suffering from a shortage of skilled workers, with 42 per cent of businesses reporting it as a major constraint. This is above the global average of 37 per cent but lower than the regional average of 47 per cent.

• 17/03/2008 Corporate Social Responsibility- a necessity not a choice for businesses

  Medium to Large Enterprises (MLEs) are adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies not just to save the planet but because they are having to in order to survive and prosper.

• 21/01/0008 2008 appears less optimistic for Malaysian businesses compared to their Asian counterparts

  Despite the subprime credit crunch panic in the US, Asian business owners continue to be the most optimistic in the world, with Philippines, India, Vietnam and Singapore taking the top four positions in a survey, Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR 2008) revealed.

• 03/01/2008 Credible accountants key to avoiding accounting fraud

  While many business owners are under the impression that their company will not become subject to accounting scams, taking early measures to avoid corporate accounting scandals is deemed necessary to sustaining business growth and becoming a world class entrepreneur, according to SJ Grant Thornton Managing Partner Dato’ N. K. Jasani.

• 2007

• 26/06/2007 IBR 2007 Reveals Key Findings of Malaysian Business Owners

• The Malaysia results from the 2007 Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) is released today at a launch event officiated by the Deputy Finance Minister I Dato’ Dr. Ng Yen Yen.

• 11/05/2007 Grant Thornton Unveils ICIF

• Growing interest in Asian countries has prompted Grant Thornton Malaysia to launch a unique service that will facilitate its clients to focus on three key investment and business destinations - Indonesia, China and India.

• 09/05/2007 Malaysian Businesses Lead in Managing Energy Costs

• Companies in the emerging markets have done most to manage energy cost pressures, according to the latest findings from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR).

• 28/03/2007 Matured Growth for Malaysian Companies

• Malaysia is ranked at a low 26 in the world for countries with super growth companies, a decline from last year’s eight position, according to a world league table released by the 2007 Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR).

• 08/03/2007 Women in Business

• Malaysia is ranked in the top 3 for businesses with women in senior management positions, according to a worldwide survey released in conjunction with the United Nation’s International Women’s Day.

• 27/02/2007 Synergy Between PEMUDAH and Private Sector for an Impactful 9th Malaysia Plan

• Joint efforts between the Government and the Private Sector organisations are vital if Pemudah is to achieve its objective, as it is imperative in ensuring the successful implementation of the 9th Malaysia Plan.

• 07/02/2007 Growth of BRIC Economies Boosts Business Worldwide

• Businesses capitalising on opportunities in the world’s fastest growing economies.

• 10/01/2007 Asia Continues To Be Driver Of Global Confidence

• Global Business Confidence Up For 2007.

• 01/01/2007 Grant Thornton Launches International Business Report 2007

• This global research examines the attitudes, plans and trends of 7,200 businesses in 32 countries across six continents that include all G8 and the majority of the World Bank’s top 20 economies which account for 81% of global GDP.

• 2006

• 07/07/2006 E-Commerce

• As the world comes to rely ever more heavily on the rapid exchange of information over the internet, e-commerce is becoming a key feature of the global economy.

• 26/05/2006 First results for Malaysia from the 2006 IBOS released today

• The first results for Malaysia from the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey (IBOS 2006) is released today at a launch event officiated by the Second Finance Minister, YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

• 10/04/2006 Malaysia ranks 2nd in the world on the impact of increased businesses from the Chinese economic boom

• Owners of medium to large enterprises (MLEs) in Malaysia see net benefit from the fast growing economy in China, according to the results released today from the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey (IBOS).

• 14/03/2006 Malaysian ranks top 10 for super growth companies in the world

• Malaysia is ranked among the top 10 countries with super growth companies, according to a world league table released today from the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey (IBOS).

• 20/02/2006 Malaysian business owners the 7th most stressed in the world, reveals global study

• Owners of medium to large enterprises (MLEs) in Malaysia are found to be the 7th most stressed in the world, according to a global business stress index released today from the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey (IBOS).

• 06/01/2006 Optimistic economic outlook among MLE business owners in Malaysia

• Owners of medium to large enterprises (MLEs) in Malaysia are optimistic about the local economy for the next 12 months, according to the first results from the 2006 Grant Thornton International Business Owners Survey (IBOS) released today.

• 2005

• 07/11/2005 Grant Thornton and ECM Libra collaborate on International Business Owners Survey

• Accounting and consulting firm Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton, the local member of Grant Thornton International will be collaborating with premier boutique investment advisory group, ECM Libra Berhad to launch Grant Thornton International's International Business Owners Survey 2006 (IBOS).

• 13/06/2005 Four global new markets power ahead as our MESDAQ and the rest are left reeling behind

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• 07/04/2005 Is Malaysia struggling to keep corporate social responsibility alive in corporate restructuring

• The subject of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is gaining prominence and has a profound effect on the conduct of business, not only in Malaysia but also across the world. It covers a wide spectrum of issues including business ethics, corporate governance, socially responsible investing, environmental sustainability and community investment.

• 2004

• 03/09/2004 (Pre-Budget 2005 Commentary) Another year of agricultural revolution?

• The 2005 Budget will be the first ever presented by the new Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi, and by all reckoning, it is expected to be a growth-orientated budget.

• 24/05/2004 Iraq war fails to derail improving performance on leading global new markets but over half fail to deliver

• During 2003, global new markets have enjoyed a protracted and steady recovery which has seen market liquidity improve and volatility drop substantially.

• 2003

• 15/09/2003 (Post-Budget 2004 Commentary) Budget reinforces stimulus

• The 2004 Budget is a timely move designed to halt a faltering economy after the earlier Stimulation Package announced in May 2003.

• 02/09/2003 (Pre-Budget 2004 Commentary) Malaysia... do we still have the potential to attract foreign direct investment?

• Malaysia was once among the front-runners together with Hong Kong and Singapore in receiving FDIs.

• 2002

• 06/11/2002 Large family businesses is the answer to our FDI shortfall

• Leading accounting and business advisory firm Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton says that owner-managed businesses form the backbone of Malaysia's economy, and the larger ones are the answer to Malaysia's shortfall in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

• 23/09/2002 (Post-Budget 2003 Commentary) Highlights on tax amendments

• The budget presented by the Finance Minister on 20th September, is laudable for its long-term impact on the economy and national development.

• 13/09/2002 (Pre-Budget 2003 Commentary) 2003 Budget expectations

• It is expected that the Budget 2003 will be tabled in Parliament on 20 September 2002, rather early this year.

• May 2002 Financing family businesses

• Financing has remained a problematic area for owner-managed businesses in Malaysia. This was reflected in a recent survey jointly conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Management and Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton.

• April 2002 Training needs of family businesses

• Small and medium-size industries (SMIs) are recognized as an important component of any nation's economy. It is more so in Malaysia, a developing nation.

• February 2002 Succession: the crucial factor in family-owned businesses

• Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton and research partner, the Malaysian Institute of Management, today officially release the survey findings from their nationwide survey which was launched on 24 September last year.

• 23/01/2002 Official release of PRIMA survey findings in Malaysia

• Pete and his brothers have taken over the company from their father. The chain of drugstores has grown in strength. Together with his three brothers, he decided that it was time to retire.

• 2001

• 20/10/2001 (Post-Budget 2002 Commentary) What Grant Thornton has to say…

• The 2002 budget presented in Parliament yesterday by the Honorable Finance Minster was a timely and appropriate budget, focusing on the core issues for a recovering economy facing worldwide recessional trends and the specter of gloom and uncertainty following the September 11 terrorist attack in the United States, according to Consultants from Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton.

• 12/10/2001 (Pre-Budget 2002 Commentary) Budget 2002 - Should be business friendly to boost the economy

• Undoubtedly, the challenges in the 21st century are imposing sophisticated information technologies, advanced research and development capabilities, and high intellectual or rather “brain power” related industries.

• 26/09/2001 Launch of PRIMA research in Malaysia

• Shamsir Jasani Grant Thornton, the Malaysian member of Grant Thornton International has today announced its collaboration with the national management organisation, the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) to conduct a nationwide research project in Malaysia.

• 21/08/2001 Capital flows needed to spur recovery

• International accounting and business advisory firm, Grant Thornton says that the one commodity in short supply for business enterprises in Malaysia is capital for liquidity, investment and operations.