The cost of quarantine at public training institutes will be reduced from RM150 to RM100 a day, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He said the decision was made after the special Cabinet committee reviewed charges imposed on those being quarantined at these facilities. Ismail Sabri said the government has decided to lower the rate as training institutes do not provide as many facilities compared to hotels.

Applications for cross-border travel between Malaysia and Singapore will be open on Monday. Immigration Department (JIM) director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud in a statement today said foreigners living in Singapore who wish to enter Malaysia for a short period of time for official purposes and business dealings could do so through the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) facility.

Pear Anderson has been keeping track of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Southeast Asian travel industry. Cambodia has modified its entry requirements. Laos studies fast-track immigration for China and Vietnam, and Indonesia considers travel bubbles on a destination to country basis. The Philippines overtakes Indonesia to have the highest number of cases in SE Asia. Click on the 'Read More' tab for the latest update as of August 9, 2020.

The Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA), supported by the Australian Government and on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, is undertaking the APEC Global Supply Chains Resiliency Survey. The survey is open to all businesses and other relevant organisations, including in Malaysia.

COVID-19 has forced companies to establish remote work as the norm, not the exception. Business leaders realize a digital workforce can improve business resilience by being able to work from anywhere, under any conditions. Register for The Economics of Remote Work Webinar on August 26 at 3 PM (GMT +8) now to learn about how a dynamic working environment can help your organization thrive during these uncertain times! Gary Tok, Tricor Group Chief Commercial Officer, will share insights to develop a practical business plan to enable the Agile Work Environment for your business.

Using data from Kantar and Bloomberg, a recent brand report released by BrandZ shows which tech companies are proving their worth to consumers during COVID-19 chaos. Multiple AMCHAM member companies make it to the top of the list.

In a recent interview, Muhammad Azmi Zulkifli, CEO of InvestKl explains how InvestKL facilitated large global MNCs to resume their business in the new normal during COVID-19. Click on the 'Read More' tab to view the video.

Southeast Asia's sizeable and growing population, steadily expanding economy as well as increasing technological adoption present many unique business opportunities. The sheer size of the region's population is one of its main draws. Its population totals 655 million, more than North America's or the European Union's. Coupled with its steadily increasing GDP per capita, more businesses are finding it appealing to build a stronger foothold in Southeast Asia.

Even as urban centres are engines of economic growth, they are challenged by rising physical and mental health concerns among large segments of people. Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, environmental conditions and community and social stress factors are key contributors to this disease burden. As the urban poor have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the challenges of urbanisation and access to healthy living have catapulted to the forefront of the global agenda.