AWANI Review: Banking on Women Micro-entrepreneurs

Starting with a mission to enhance the pre-loved motorcycle market, iMotorbike has become a leader in Malaysia and is making significant strides in Vietnam. Founder and CEO Gil Carmo shares insights on how the platform plans to scale its business model, leveraging the vast growth potential across Southeast Asia and beyond.

In 2023, PayNet processed RM5.15 trillion in transactions—3.3 times Malaysia’s Real GDP. As Malaysia advances its cashless journey, Group CEO Farhan Ahmad discusses the future of digital payments and financial inclusion, impact of Gen AI on payments and preparing for evolving threats.

Despite women increasingly outpacing men in higher education enrollment, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Prabha Sundram, Head of Education at the British Council Malaysia, examines this persistent gap, its impact, and strategies for universities to achieve true equity and inclusivity.

Astro is rapidly evolving into a leaner, more efficient model to tackle challenges in the pay TV industry. Group CEO Euan Smith highlights their focus on delivering top-notch content and leveraging technology to discover new revenue streams and win back customers.

Langganan TV berbayar tradisional semakin menurun apabila penonton beralih ke perkhidmatan penstriman, fenomena yang jelas di seluruh dunia termasuk Malaysia. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan Astro, Euan Smith, membincangkan kesan trend ini terhadap pendapatan Astro dan strategi inovatif yang digunakan untuk kekal berdaya saing.

Qarbotech is shaking up agritech with a product that boosts plant photosynthesis, resulting in higher crop yields for farmers. Founders Dr. Suraya Rashid and Chor Chee Hoe discuss what's driving the next big leap for the company.

With over 40 years in Malaysia, Thales has grown from a defense and aerospace expert to a digital transformation leader. CEO François-Xavier Boutes shares exciting opportunities in Malaysia and the push for localisation.

Why do so few Malaysians can afford retirement? Joseph Cherian, Practice Professor of Finance at the Asia School of Business, delves into pension challenges and proposes fairer, sustainable alternatives to ensure inclusive coverage in their later years.

Small business owners, often needing just RM1000, struggle to access bank funding. Fintech MADCash offers interest-free micro-funds, aiming to break financial barriers and uplift women entrepreneurs.

What’s driving the data center investment boom? Cheam Tat Inn, Managing Director of Equinix Malaysia, a global leader in digital infrastructure, reveals the impetus behind investing RM650 million into data centers in Malaysia.

VC funding may be down, but not all hope is lost for startups. Low Zhen Hui, managing partner of early-stage investor Artem Ventures, talks about where the money is going, spotting promising investments and exciting markets for 2024.

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When faced with financial pressures, many people turn to fast credit options, sometimes resorting to unregulated methods with high-interest rates and potential debt traps. Direct Lending strives to offer a safe and affordable alternative for borrowers who might be overlooked by traditional financial institutions.

Paramount Group CEO Jeffrey Chew discards the notion of "If it ain't broken, don't fix it”. Despite the property developer's current success in its core business, he says that it is precisely during periods of prosperity that the company needs to proactively embrace change to stay ahead.

As solar panel prices decrease, more Malaysians are turning to solar power. Verdant Solar CEO Zeth Lim notes a strong demand surpassing the current renewable energy capacity, and discusses ways to make the switch more accessible and attractive to everyone.

Today's global problems call for evidence-backed solutions, yet there's often a disconnect between science and policy. We explore how science diplomacy can lead change, whether in conflict prevention or addressing common challenges.