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KUALA LUMPUR, Gradiant, a global provider of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, has secured a US$50 million corporate credit facility from HSBC, bringing its total credit lines to more than US$100 million. (US$1 = RM4.21) The new financing underscores Gradiant’s financial strength and supports the company’s continued expansion of sustainable water solutions across its global markets. Gradiant co-founder and chief executive officer Anurag Bajpayee said the funding reflects the company’s financial maturity and the confidence that global lenders have in its performance and profitability. “Working with HSBC enhances our ability to deliver mission-critical water solutions to our industrial customers,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile, Gradiant’s chief financial officer Ananth Padmanabhan said the additional financing would strengthen the company’s balance sheet and liquidity as it expands project delivery worldwide. Structured as a corporate revolving credit facility, the HSBC line will support Gradiant’s working capital needs in the United States, providing flexible, on-demand liquidity to execute projects for its blue-chip North American customers. The company said its credit facilities were secured at single-digit interest rates, demonstrating a strong credit profile and robust support from institutional investors. Gradiant also sources financing directly from lending partners rather than through intermediaries, ensuring alignment between its financial strategy and long-term mission. With operations in over 90 countries, Gradiant plans to use the HSBC facility primarily to bolster its U.S. projects, while other credit lines will fund global expansion, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions. The financing marks another milestone in Gradiant’s growth trajectory as it continues to deliver innovative, sustainable water and wastewater solutions to industries worldwide.

Shopee has rolled out a RM50 million “Shopee Rai Lokal” MSME growth package to strengthen support for Malaysian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and help them thrive in the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy. The initiative is designed to empower local entrepreneurs with comprehensive digital tools, training programmes, and incentives to build sustainable online businesses while expanding access to both domestic and international markets. “The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry welcomes Shopee’s commitment through the RM50mil Shopee Rai Lokal MSME growth package, which aligns with the Government’s aspiration under Budget 2026 that allocates RM20mil for the Buy Malaysian Products initiative,” said Armizan. According to Shopee, the initiative reflects its long-term commitment to supporting local sellers in growing resilient businesses and contributing to Malaysia’s economic transformation. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely contribution that aligns with the Government’s “Buy Malaysian Products” campaign and its broader efforts to uplift local entrepreneurs. “The RM50 million Shopee Rai Lokal MSME growth package is in line with the Government’s aspiration under Budget 2026, which allocates RM20 million for the Buy Malaysian Products initiative. It also supports KPDN’s central theme for 2025, ‘Jom Beli Lokal’, and reinforces our shared determination to empower local entrepreneurs to stay competitive in the digital economy,” he said. Shopee Malaysia country director Saovanee Chan-Somchit said that as Shopee celebrates its 10th year in Malaysia, its mission remains focused on helping local MSMEs scale their businesses and reach wider audiences. “With this Shopee Rai Lokal growth package, we are deepening our commitment to helping sellers build resilient businesses, access the right digital tools, and grow sustainably online. We aim to walk alongside our local sellers as true partners in their long-term success,” she said. Under the RM50 million Shopee Rai Lokal MSME growth package, Shopee is offering support across several key areas — financial incentives, marketing tools, and capacity building. New sellers will benefit from commission fee waivers of up to RM2,000 and platform support fee exemptions. Shopee will also provide a complimentary six-month trial of its Fulfilled-by-Shopee (FBS) service, which includes warehousing support, faster delivery options such as same-day or next-day delivery, and free return-to-seller and storage services. In addition, sellers will receive RM60 in advertising credits to boost store visibility, while those using the GMV Max feature will have access to Shopee’s Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) Protection Programme — offering free ad credits if their campaigns do not achieve the expected performance. To help MSMEs strengthen their business capabilities, Shopee will expand access to the ShopeeXpert Community, providing personalised mentorship, expert guidance, and peer learning opportunities. Shopee University will continue offering targeted webinars and training sessions on store optimisation, digital marketing, and cross-border selling strategies. Beyond this package, Shopee continues to support local MSMEs through complementary initiatives such as the Shopee International Platform (SIP), which connects Malaysian sellers to regional markets in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. Its SLoan for Sellers programme also provides flexible financing to help entrepreneurs invest in inventory, scale operations, and capture growth opportunities. These initiatives have already proven effective in helping small businesses achieve measurable success. Raymond Leong, founder of Hiasani — a DIY home essentials store — shared that Shopee’s integrated tools simplified everything from delivery logistics to advertising campaigns. “Once I learned how to optimise my storefront and marketing, my sales grew by 40%. The data dashboards gave me the confidence to scale my business,” he said. Similarly, chili farmer-turned-entrepreneur Mansur Remely credited Shopee for helping him turn his passion into a sustainable livelihood. “Shopee allowed me to reach customers far beyond my hometown. What started as a small business has now become my full-time venture,” he said. Through the Shopee Rai Lokal initiative, the company aims to continue building a more inclusive digital ecosystem, empowering Malaysian MSMEs to compete on both regional and global stages while fostering national pride in local products.

KUCHING, Singapore-based Health Management International Pte Ltd (HMI Medical) will establish a state-of-the-art smart specialist hospital, Regency Hospital Kuching, within The NorthBank township — a flagship mixed development by Ibraco Bhd. The proposed 300-bed hospital will feature comprehensive specialist and subspecialty services, advanced digital healthcare systems, and internationally benchmarked clinical standards, said HMI Medical group chief executive officer Chin Wei Jia. She said the project aims to meet rising demand for quality healthcare services in Sarawak and across Southeast Asia, while creating more than 1,000 new jobs and cross-training opportunities for healthcare professionals to enhance patient-centred care. With over 27 years of experience in healthcare operations across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, HMI Medical currently manages Mahkota Medical Centre in Melaka and Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor. Dr Richard Chew, senior surgeon and board director of HMI’s hospitals in Malaysia — and a Sarawakian — will lead the development of Regency Hospital Kuching, which is scheduled to open in 2029. “This initiative will drive new economic opportunities and strengthen Sarawak’s position as a leading medical tourism hub in Southeast Asia,” said Chin during the signing of a share sale agreement between Ibraco and Kuching Health Holdings Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of HMI Medical. Under the agreement, Ibraco will sell its 100% stake in NorthBank Specialist Hospital Sdn Bhd (NSHSB) to Kuching Health Holdings for RM900,000 cash. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the signing during the Sarawak Mega Fair 2025 at Singapore’s Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre last Thursday. In a Bursa Malaysia filing, Ibraco said the transaction was made on a “willing buyer, willing seller” basis, with no material gain or loss expected. NSHSB currently holds development approval for a private hospital project that has yet to commence operations. Ibraco said the disposal enables a reputable healthcare group to realise the hospital’s potential while enhancing Sarawak’s private healthcare landscape. “This collaboration supports the national agenda to expand high-quality private healthcare services and improve accessibility for the community,” it said. The hospital will be built on a 1.7ha leasehold site within The NorthBank, with land acquisition to be completed within six months.

KUCHING, Construction of the undersea power cable network to transmit renewable energy (RE) from Sarawak to Singapore is slated to begin by 2026 at the latest, according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the Sarawak government, together with the federal and Singaporean governments, aims to commence the project next year once the current global shortage of submarine cables is resolved. “The Singapore and Sarawak governments, with endorsement from the Malaysian government, have agreed that the construction of the undersea cable should begin no later than next year,” Abang Johari said after officiating the Sarawak Mega Fair 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre last Thursday. He added that Indonesia has responded positively to the project, as the cable route will pass through Indonesian territorial waters. Singapore’s Energy Market Authority has granted conditional approval to Sembcorp Utilities and its consortium partner, Sarawak Energy Bhd, to import one gigawatt (GW) of hydropower from Sarawak. Abang Johari also revealed that a special cross-border energy corridor is being developed between Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to facilitate the export of green electricity to Singapore. “There is already an agreement in principle for Sarawak to supply clean energy through this dedicated corridor,” he said.Hydropower currently accounts for more than 60% of Sarawak’s total energy generation capacity. Sarawak Energy owns and operates the Bakun (2,400MW), Murum (944MW) and Batang Ai (108MW) hydroelectric dams, with the 1,285MW Baleh dam currently under construction. To attract more foreign investment, particularly in renewable and sustainable industries, Abang Johari said Sarawak offers incentives equivalent to those from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), along with additional state-level benefits such as larger land allocations, lower premiums and competitive energy tariffs. “At present, Sarawak has the lowest industrial energy tariff in Malaysia,” he noted, adding that the state’s political and administrative stability continues to bolster investor confidence. Abang Johari emphasised that companies leveraging Sarawak’s renewable energy in their manufacturing processes will gain a “green premium” — a market advantage as global demand for low-carbon and eco-friendly products continues to rise. “Investors who produce goods using our green energy will find it easier to market their products, as they are aligned with global sustainability standards,” he said. He also announced that the soon-to-be-launched state-owned airline, AirBorneo, will enhance flight connectivity between Sarawak and Singapore, boosting both tourism and trade opportunities.

KUALA LUMPUR, AirAsia X Bhd is set to expand its fleet with smaller, more efficient aircraft as part of its medium-haul growth strategy, with deliveries of new Airbus models expected in the second half of 2026 (2H2026). Chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said the airline will take delivery of the Airbus A321neo and A321LR aircraft, which are designed for routes lasting between five and seven hours — ideal for expanding connectivity within the Asia-Pacific region. “These aircraft will allow us to explore new destinations such as Busan in South Korea, Adelaide and Darwin in Australia, as well as several secondary cities in China,” he said during a media trip for the airline’s inaugural flight to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The carrier launched its first service to Tashkent on Oct 15, offering three weekly flights between Malaysia and Uzbekistan’s capital. This marks AirAsia X’s second route to Central Asia, following the launch of flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in March 2024. Benyamin added that the airline is also focused on increasing flight frequencies across its existing destinations, driven by continued strong demand. “In Australia, we’re working on offering more consistent flight schedules, while China has rebounded strongly, so we’re ramping up capacity there,” he said, noting that demand for Japan and South Korea also remains solid. He said AirAsia X’s recent operational performance has been encouraging, with the airline maintaining a healthy average load factor of 84%, reflecting a strong post-pandemic recovery.