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Professor Joseph Cherian, CEO, President & Dean of the Asia School of Business (ASB), and Professor Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, together inked a new extended pathway for ASB graduates. Leaders’ handshake seals pathway from ASB to Cornell. This collaboration enables eligible ASB MBA, Executive MBA and Master in Central Banking students, as well as alumni, to pursue the Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBA) in New York — deepening their analytical capabilities with global exposure. For ASB graduates, this pathway opens the door to further studies at Cornell, creating a more accessible route to one of the world’s top business schools. By extending their academic journey beyond ASB, graduates can gain global exposure, deepen their expertise, and broaden their international networks. From ASB to Cornell. From the heart of Southeast Asia to New York. More pathways. More connections. More possibilities. For info on the diverse post-MBA pathways offered by ASB, visit https://asb.edu.my/academic-program/mba-program/ A handshake between great leadership programmes. A pathway for the future. Signing ceremony at the sidelines of the AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting 2026. #AsiaSchoolofBusiness #GlobalInquiryLocalHeart

Vietnam plans to open seven new airports by 2030 as part of efforts to expand its aviation network and meet growing travel demand. The new airports include Long Thanh, Gia Binh, Quang Tri, Phan Thiet, Sa Pa, Tho Chu and Thanh Son. Combined with upgrades and expansions at existing airports, the projects are expected to raise the country’s annual passenger handling capacity to as much as 220 million. According to Vietnam’s Construction Ministry, the country aims to have 32 airports by 2030, comprising 15 international and 17 domestic airports. By 2050, three additional domestic airports are planned, bringing the total to 35. Vietnam currently operates 22 airports, while five more are under construction. Expansion or upgrade plans have been approved for 14 airports, with planning underway for the remaining eight. The ministry estimates that airport development between 2021 and 2030 will require investments of about 485 trillion dong (US$18.5 billion), with 55% expected to come from public funds and the rest from private investment. Passenger traffic is projected to exceed 191 million annually by 2030, growing at an average rate of 9.7% per year, while air cargo throughput is expected to reach 3.75 million tonnes, with annual growth averaging 19.3%.

The Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (KUSKOP), through SME Corp Malaysia, has launched the SINAR Programme, a RM205 million initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience and growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country. The programme introduces five key initiatives, including financing facilities, grants and business support measures, designed to help entrepreneurs overcome financial challenges, improve competitiveness and expand their operations. According to Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, the initiative seeks to ensure MSMEs have access to the resources needed to navigate ongoing economic uncertainties and seize growth opportunities. “In the face of global economic uncertainty, the government cannot allow MSMEs to confront these challenges alone,” he said. Five Initiatives Under the SINAR Programme The SINAR Programme (Program Sokongan Industri dan Perniagaan Rakyat) comprises three financing schemes, a business scaling grant programme and discounted MSME certification fees. 1. SME Easy Financing Scheme (SFSME 2.0) The scheme offers financing ranging from RM50,000 to RM5 million for business expansion, asset acquisition and working capital requirements. Implemented in collaboration with Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF), the financing carries a profit rate of 5% per annum based on monthly balances. 2. SME Capacity and Capability Enhancement Scheme (BAP) Developed with microLEAP, the BAP scheme provides financing between RM500,000 and RM1.5 million to help businesses strengthen operations and manage cash flow. Term financing is available at 5% per annum, while invoice financing rates range between 0.5% and 0.7% per month. 3. PRESTIGE 2.0 Financing Scheme Targeted at high-growth SMEs, the scheme offers financing from RM500,000 to RM1 million through a partnership with Funding Societies. Businesses can enjoy financing rates as low as 3% per annum, while invoice financing is available at 0.5% per month. Companies with strong repayment records may also qualify for rebates of up to 30%. 4. Inclusive Business Scaling Programme The programme supports SMEs seeking to adopt inclusive business models and strengthen supply chain participation. Eligible businesses can receive grants of up to RM200,000, with funding support covering up to 90% of eligible costs for development and training initiatives. 5. 50% Discount on MSME Status Certification To encourage more businesses to obtain official MSME recognition, SME Corp Malaysia is offering a 50% discount on MSME Status Certification applications from June to August 2026. The certification is often required when applying for government grants, financing facilities and other support programmes. Supporting MSME Growth The launch of the SINAR Programme comes as many businesses continue to face challenges from rising costs, economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions. With financing of up to RM5 million, grants of up to RM200,000, and a range of business support measures, the programme is expected to provide much-needed assistance for Malaysian MSMEs looking to strengthen operations, improve resilience and pursue long-term growth. More information on the SINAR Programme is available at www.smecorp.gov.my.

Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) and IJM Land have unveiled The Linque, a new transit-oriented development (TOD) in Cheras with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM600 million. Transport Minister Anthony Loke is seen during the launch of The Linque Cochrane at Cochrane MRT Station in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, June 15, 2026.  The project marks MRT Corp’s first TOD initiative in the Klang Valley and will feature approximately 586 serviced apartment units alongside curated retail spaces directly connected to the Cochrane MRT Station. Located above the station, The Linque is designed to provide residents with seamless access to public transportation and retail amenities. The development is connected to the wider MRT network, including the Kajang Line, which currently records the highest daily ridership in the MRT system. Speaking at the launch event in Kuala Lumpur, MRT Corp chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the project demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating long-term value around public transport infrastructure and surrounding communities. “One of its most distinctive features is its direct basement-to-concourse connection, a first-of-its-kind feature for an MRT-integrated residential development, allowing residents to access the rail network conveniently without needing to step outdoors. “This is the kind of connectivity that TOD is meant to deliver, where public transport is not simply nearby, but fully integrated into the way people live, move and connect every day,” he said. Mohd Zarif noted that MRT Corp played an active role throughout the planning and design stages of the development following the signing of a joint development agreement with IJM Land in December 2025. Rather than taking a conventional landowner-developer approach, MRT Corp worked closely with IJM Land to ensure the project’s design, connectivity and placemaking elements align with the long-term objectives of the MRT network. He added that IJM Land was selected after undergoing a thorough evaluation process, citing the developer’s strong track record. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Transport Minister Anthony Loke and IJM Land chief executive officer Datuk Tony Ling Thou Lung. Loke said the project aligns with the Ministry of Transport’s objectives to maximise the value of strategic public assets while encouraging greater use of public transportation. “Through our network and its surrounding land, where it can be developed into real estate, shopping malls and other projects, value can be generated for the government while also increasing ridership for the MRT network. “This is a win-win situation and a catalyst for economic development,” he said. The minister also encouraged developers to collaborate in creating connected pedestrian networks that link MRT stations with surrounding buildings, destinations and public spaces, helping to strengthen urban connectivity and accessibility.