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

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.