Friday, September 4th, 2009 10:57:00

AUCKLAND: Milk powder prices have taken a second consecutive significant jump in two months — rising 24.2 per cent at Fonterra's global DairyTrade Internet auction on Tuesday night, following a 25.8 per cent increase for the August auction.

The New Zealand Herald reported that Fonterra global trade managing director Kelvin Wickham was surprised by the higher than expected prices, but that a longer time was needed before it could be said markets had turned a corner.

Friday, August 21st, 2009 03:55:00 
 

THE Social Security Organisation or Socso was established to provide social security in the form of monetary awards and rehabilitative aid to its contributors.
 
From time to time it has to review its policies and services to meet the current demands and needs of the society, to continuously upgrade its efficiency in terms of coverage and delivery.

Published: 2009/09/08 
  
The Malaysian government may raise tobacco taxes by at least 11 per cent as it takes steps to discourage smoking and cut its budget deficit, according to Maybank Investment Bank Bhd.

The excise duty on cigarettes may be increased by 2 sen to 20 sen (5.7 cents) a stick when the government unveils next year’s budget on October 23, Khair Mirza, a Maybank analyst in Kuala Lumpur, said in a report today. He kept a “neutral” rating on Malaysia’s tobacco stocks.

 14 May 2009
Kuala Lumpur

Consumer confidence in Malaysia has plummeted to a record new low in the past six months, falling a further seven Index points from 88 to 81, according to the latest twice-yearly Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index which tracks consumer confidence, major concerns and spending habits among 25,140 internet users in 50 countries. This is Malaysia’s fifth consecutive decline from its high point of 114 recorded in late 2006.  (Chart 1)

Chart 1

1July 2009
Kuala Lumpur

Four in five Malaysians are reducing their spend on impulse buys, big ticket items and out-of-home dining as a result of the recession

As the global economic crisis wears on without any indication of a forthcoming respite, Malaysians are bracing themselves for a prolonged recession and making adjustments to their lifestyle to curb their living expenses. Recent studies conducted by The Nielsen Company reveal that the current downturn is turning consumers into more demanding, price-sensitive and cautious spenders.