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The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Powering the future of email marketing
Petaling Jaya: Despite the rapid expansion of new channels and the rise of social media, email marketing still plays a crucial role in today's digital marketing landscape. 'Email marketing has been around for a long time, and in my opinion, it isn't going anywhere,' Jeffri Shahul Hamid, founder of Malaysian AI-powered email marketing platform Enginemailer Sdn Bhd, told StarBiz. 'Just like the Internet, it continues to evolve.' The advent of new technologies has enabled more advanced and optimised email marketing methods, providing marketers tools to better engage customers and drive conversions. 'It's no longer just about uploading a mailing list and sending a million emails, but rather an emphasis on quality over quantity,' said Jeffri. Strong database management systems now allow businesses to understand audiences more deeply, tailoring and targeting them based on distinct interests and profiles. User-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces and templates offer accessible ways to produce polished, well-made email newsletters. AI technology can help craft effective subject lines and generate content, as well as deliver real-time analytics and insights to inform business decisions. Additionally, email marketing platforms such as Enginemailer have the ability to automate and integrate various systems, offering synchronisation and interoperability with preferred customer relationship management software and social media platforms. Jeffri noted that while email marketing is not typically used as a top-of-funnel strategy to create awareness and generate leads, it is highly effective in steering the customer journey. Through emails, businesses have a wealth of opportunities for communicating, engaging, and nurturing the customers towards making purchases. For instance, emails can be used to send automated notifications, reminders, confirmation messages, birthday month promotions, which are customised and specific to each user. 'Email is not the only marketing channel, but it is an integral part of the whole customer experience,' he said. 'Our job is to make that part easier for businesses.' As a SaaS (software as a service) platform, Enginemailer provides database management, email marketing and transactional email for businesses of all sizes. According to Jeffri, the platform was created to empower more micro, small and medium enterprises and small businesses with email marketing and communication tools that only larger companies typically have access to. 'Our customers range from freelancers who send 100 emails on a monthly basis to enterprises that send 50 million emails a month,' he said. The platform uses a subscription-based pricing model, with a 'free forever' tier where users can send up to 10,000 emails per month at no cost. In contrast to other email marketing software services, Enginemailer's paid subscriptions plans are priced based on the number of emails sent, rather than the size of a customer's contact database. Customers also have the flexibility to upgrade and downgrade their existing plans at any given time to suit fluctuating needs for different seasons. 'It can be a cost burden on smaller companies that want to efficiently maintain their database,' he explained. Due to this, one of Enginemailer's notable features is an unlimited database for all users. 'As a company, your database is one of your biggest assets, so this is our way of giving back to smaller businesses and helping them grow.' On what makes a successful email marketing campaign today, the founder said relevancy is key. 'Almost anyone can run an email newsletter now. To stand out, you need to be sending the right information to the right people, giving them the content they are looking for using targeted techniques,' he said. 'With emails, you have an average of 10 seconds of the reader's attention. You cannot be putting out long, complex emails with all the information, expecting them to find the specific section that's relevant to them.' Strategies for email marketing should therefore be geared towards simplicity and personalisation. Beyond this, the importance of data privacy cannot not be overstated. 'Protecting your customer's data is essential for building trust in your brand,' said Jeffri. For this reason, Enginemailer's platform is General Data Protection Regulation compliant, and the system is designed to give email subscribers greater control by allowing them to access, correct or delete their personal data at any time. Lastly, a focus on quality-over-quantity is needed to more effectively reach readers and boost conversion rates, he added.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
TCL eyes Malaysia for new manufacturing base as South-East Asia sales soar
Li: The Malaysian market is among the most competitive and developed in Asean, and it has one of the highest purchasing powers. KUALA LUMPUR: TCL, a leading global technology brand, is exploring the possibility of setting up a manufacturing base in Malaysia, as part of its strategy to deepen its presence in South-East Asia and localise its global operations. Speaking during a visit to Malaysia, TCL founder and chairman Li Dongsheng said the company had dispatched project teams multiple times in the past six months to assess local opportunities. 'We are currently studying the possibility of setting up a manufacturing base in Malaysia,' Li told StarBiz in a language exclusive interview. 'The Malaysian market is among the most competitive and developed in Asean, and it has one of the highest purchasing powers. Products made here can serve not just local consumers, but also be re-exported to other global markets.' TCL has already established more than 10 production bases worldwide over the past two decades, including in Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico, as part of its broader strategy to internationalise operations. Li said its first overseas foray within this region began in Vietnam in 1999. Last year, TCL's revenue from South-East Asia surged by 30%. In the Malaysian market alone, the total revenue across all categories in 2024 saw a year-over-year increase of 467%. After more than 40 years of transformation, TCL, through TCL Industries and TCL Technology, is now focusing on three core industries: consumer electronics, display technology, and clean energy. From a global perspective, the group earned over RM82.3bil in overseas revenue last year, making up almost half its total revenue of about RM184.9bil. 'We have transformed our business model to move beyond just exporting products to building localised industrial chains and supply networks,' said Li. 'This creates employment, tax revenue, and stronger partnerships in host countries.' In Malaysia, TCL already operates a research and development (R&D) centre focused on high-end products, which also serves its global customer base. 'This is also one of the reasons for my visit—to look into expanding our production and manufacturing footprint here,' he added. Li said TCL is also leveraging its partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to boost its global brand image. As an official worldwide Olympic and Paralympic partner representing the home audiovisual equipment and home appliances category, he said TCL will supply smart and green energy-saving products—including display panels, air conditioners and AR glasses—for use in Olympic venues. Through these intelligent products, the company aspires to present an extraordinary experience for both the athletes and global audiences, allowing billions of viewers worldwide to immerse themselves in the breathtaking audiovisual feast of the Olympic event. 'This collaboration is a major milestone,' said Li. 'It will allow us to expand the global visibility of our smart technologies and reinforce our brand through one of the most recognised platforms in the world. As a leading global technology brand with a sports gene and humanistic care, TCL consistently upholds the brand spirit of 'Inspire Greatness', which perfectly aligns with the Olympic ideal of pursuing excellence.' Following on from the 'Inspire Greatness' activation, TCL also expanded its partnership with Arsenal in May this year, becoming the club's Official Global Consumer Electronics Partner. Looking ahead, Li expressed confidence in TCL's ability to maintain strong momentum in Southeast Asia. 'Our growth in Malaysia will continue at a very high level. I hope we can launch our first manufacturing project in Malaysia within this year.' "To put it simply, leading a company requires keeping up with the times,' he said. 'You must constantly adapt, learn, and grow. That's the only way to build a company that can thrive in a fast-changing world.' For more information about TCL:
The Star
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
FBM KLCI set to remain range-bound
PETALING JAYA: As the world at large heaved a sigh of relief at the conclusion of the United States-China trade discussions in London on Tuesday, attention has turned back towards Malaysian equities, as investors wonder what is in store for the FBM KLCI. This is especially relevant given that Malaysia has yet to conclude its own trade talks with Washington as the former continues its effort to reduce the 24% hitherto provisional tariffs that were imposed on April 2 by US President Donald Trump. Most analysts, however, are of the view that at the very least, the conclusion of trade meetings between the United States and China have put paid to any foreseeable escalation of trade tensions between the two superpowers in the near term, and while cautious sentiments still surround the FBM KLCI, the benchmark index should perform better in the second half of financial year 2025 (2H25). Rakuten Trade head of equity sales and analyst Vincent Lau believes that the announcement from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that the Trump administration may extend the 90-day tariff pause on some countries in order to continue trade negotiations, signals further goodwill. 'We feel things can only improve from here, and 2H25 could be stronger for the FBM KLCI following slightly underwhelming 1Q25 corporate results, especially if Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz can conclude a deal with the Trump administration promptly in next week's talks,' he told StarBiz. As such, Lau acknowledged investors could still adopt a wait-and-see approach over the next week, which has caused the FBM KLCI to lag behind other regional and global bourses, predicting that the index could trade between 1,520 and 1,550 points in the third week of June. He said this is because investors may still be concerned that Malaysia is largely an export-driven market, as businesses are also taking time to adjust to the impact of the expanded sales and services tax (SST) that will come into effect on July 1. On the other hand, he opined that with the European Central Bank having reduced rates by 25 basis points this month, and Bank Negara and the US Federal Reserve also considering a similar move within the next quarter, funds are ready to return to the market. Lau added that the SST broadening by the government is necessary, which would assure investors that the current administration is serious in improving its tax revenue. Of interest, Areca Capital chief executive Danny Wong commented that the US-China trade tension may not have been as bad as have been portrayed in the mainstream media in recent months, given this week's developments. 'If both sides willingly continue to resolve these tariff issues, we believe the FBM KLCI will recover significantly. Short-term outlook remains dependent on news, but we now see an upside bias. 'As suggested, developing markets including Asian bourses are expected to perform better in 2H25,' he told StarBiz. While also expecting a gradual recovery for the FBM KLCI in 2H25, Tradeview Capital chief investment officer Nixon Wong is predicting the index to trade 'neutral' range-bound, as investors take to the sidelines as they wait for conclusive trade talk updates between Putrajaya and the Trump administration. 'However, signals from China and the United States have been stable and less hostile for the time being. 'We should see gradual recovery in the last six months of 2025 as business sentiment may recover, and fund flows may be more risk-on after getting more details and clarity on the US trade policies after mid-July,' he said. Meanwhile, a head of research and analyst at a foreign brokerage firm is projecting for the premier index to trade within a narrow range of 1,510 to 1,530 for this week, reflecting cautious optimism from the Washington-Beijing trade truce, but tempered by uncertainty in the US-Malaysia talks. 'For next week ending June 20, the index could test 1,500 to 1,550, with potential upside toward 1,550 if trade talks progress favourably and domestic sectors such as banking and construction remain supportive. 'However, a bearish scenario could see the index drop below 1,500 if US-Malaysia trade talks falter or global trade tensions escalate,' she said. Elaborating, she said the US-China resolution in London provided some clarity, reducing immediate uncertainty about a potential escalation in the trade war, although the relatively high US tariff rate of 55% on China could disrupt global supply chains, particularly in Asia, where Malaysia is a key player in manufacturing and electronics exports. Beijing has tagged the United States with a 10% levy rate in return. The agreement's positive signal of a trade truce may boost global market sentiment, but the high tariffs could pressure Malaysian exporters reliant on the US or Chinese markets, especially in technology and semiconductors, she pointed out. The analyst explained, 'The market's reaction to the United States-China trade truce will likely solidify next week. 'If the framework is ratified by Trump and Xi, optimism could drive the FBM KLCI toward the 1,550 resistance level, especially if global equities rally. 'However, ongoing trade talks between Malaysia and the United States will remain a headwind. 'Any indication of punitive tariffs on Malaysian exports, such as electronics, which account for about 40% of Malaysia's exports, could pressure the index, particularly tech-heavy components like Inari Amertron Bhd and Nationgate Holdings Bhd .' On the flipside, positive domestic factors, such as foreign inflows and a stronger ringgit may offset some external pressures, supporting sectors like construction, property and renewable energy, she said. 'Technical forecasts suggest a potential rebound if the 1,600 support holds, with upside targets at 1,620 to 1,630. However, a break below 1,500 could signal a bearish trend toward 1,487, driven by trade war fears,' added the analyst. Taking a look at notable sectors, she said banking is expected to lead gains due to its strong earnings growth and domestic liquidity, while export-driven industries such as technology and commodities will be vulnerable to US tariff developments, although they could stabilise if trade talks progress favourably. 'Investors should focus on quality, dividend-paying stocks in resilient sectors like banking and construction, while monitoring export-driven sectors like technology for tariff-related risks,' she said.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Export growth hinges on trade talks
PETALING JAYA: The possibility of Malaysia's economic growth outlook being weighed down by the overall exports performance is now becoming more apparent with the latest industrial production index (IPI) and manufacturing data released by the Statistics Department. The government forecasts gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.5% to 5.5% this year. For the first quarter of financial year 2025 (1Q25), GDP grew 4.4% after expanding 5% in 4Q24. The prevailing sentiment continues to be that overall exports performance would depend on the outcome of the ongoing trade negotiations to lower the now paused reciprocal tariffs portion of the Liberation Day tariffs imposed by the United States while demand for the country's manufactured goods would depend on global economic conditions and shifts in the supply chain. The April IPI expanded 2.7% compared to the 3.2% growth in the same month a year ago mostly due to the 5.6% rise in the manufacturing index, with the mining and electricity indices contracting 6.3% and 1.6% respectively. Drilling down further, export-oriented industries grew 6.4% after registering a 4.8% increase in March. On a month-on-month basis, the IPI contracted 8%, with export-oriented industries decreasing 10.2%. Socio-Economic Research Centre executive director Lee Heng Guie told StarBiz that the April IPI data presages a weak start to the country's 2Q25 GDP growth and potentially indicates a weakening economy. He expects the front-loading of shipments to the United States under the 90-day reciprocal tariff pause to wane going into May and June. This was reflected in the IPI's April manufacturing index, which rose 5.6% following a 4% gain in March. The reciprocal tariffs portion of the Liberation Day tariffs comes into effect on July 9 following the announcement of a 90-day pause while the baseline tariff of 10% imposed on all goods imported into the United States remains and have been effective since April 5. Malaysia's reciprocal tariff rate was 24%. 'Pending the outcome of tariffs negotiation expected in July, the export-oriented industries are expected to grow moderately in tandem with the anticipated slowing global demand due to the tariffs impact. 'The implementation of the Sales and Service Tax (SST) expansion is expected to soften domestic demand, and hence impacting domestic-market oriented industries,' Lee added. The expanded SST, which would be effective July 1, covers an additional six services categories while there would be higher sales tax rates on selected imported luxury goods. Meanwhile, the April manufacturing data showed manufacturing sector sales value rising 4.8% in April to RM160.6bil compared to the same month a year ago after growing 3.7% in March. Electrical and electronics (E&E) products saw sales value expand 9.8% after increasing 7.4% in March. Month-on-month, sales value dropped by 2.3% compared to RM164.3bil in March. April sales value growth of the export-oriented industries, which accounted for 70.3% of total sales, rose 5.3% compared to the same month a year ago after increasing 4.6% in March. Sales value growth of computer, electronics and optical products increased 10.6% from the same month a year ago after rising 8% in March. On a month-on-month basis, export-oriented industries' sales value growth saw a decline of 3.2%. E&E veteran and Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai said the direction of US tariff policy, global economic growth and the ongoing supply-chain shifts would continue to have an impact on the country's manufacturing sector outlook. 'We need to see the outcome of the negotiations on the reciprocal tariffs to know better the impact on E&E, the tariff levels and how we can prepare for it. 'What we can say for now is that Malaysian companies have benefitted US companies in the half-century that we have worked together and that this relationship should continue,' he said. Wong noted that Malaysia has been a beneficiary of the supply-chain shifts related to the US-China trade rivalry in recent years and may continue to benefit as businesses plan for various outcomes, including on policy uncertainty and geopolitical uncertainty. 'There are many plus one strategies today, not just China+1 but also Europe+1,' he said. Wong said the E&E growth outlook would also hinge on global economic growth, which the World Bank projected to be 2.3% for the year, or nearly half a percentage point lower than projected at the start of the year on heightened trade tensions and policy uncertainty in its latest Global Economic Prospects report. 'Growth for E&E will depend on the sub-sector, we are still seeing demand in artificial intelligence, but this could slow in consumer electronics,' he said. MIDF Research expects IPI growth of 2% this year after the 3.7% increase in 2024, with front loading providing a temporary boost to trade activities and support industries vulnerable to external headwinds. 'Although there could be short term support following the United States decision to pause from implementation reciprocal tariffs, encouraging progress from the ongoing trade talks will be crucial to reduce the adverse impacts of trade tensions on future demand outlook and production activities,' the research house said.
The Star
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Global issues cloud 2H25 IPO outlook
PETALING JAYA: The initial public offering (IPO) market, which started the year on a subdued note, faces an uncertain second half (2H25) as weak market sentiment, global headwinds and poor earnings season continue to dampen investor appetite. A market watcher says the outlook for IPOs in 2H25 hinges on several unresolved global issues – including the outcome of potential US reciprocal trade tariffs expected in July, US-China trade tensions and the timing of a US interest rate cut, if any. 'The market sentiment isn't good. Last year, about 80% to 85% of IPOs performed well post-listing. 'This year, it's the complete opposite – nearly 80% have traded below their offer prices,' Tradeview Capital chief executive officer and founder Ng Zhu Hann told StarBiz. 'So, what changed? Largely, to me, it is – of course – market fatigue, fund flows, and also because the global situation has made a lot of investors, whether local, institutional, foreign funds or even local retail investors, very risk-averse. 'A lot of people are holding on to their cash rather than participating in the equity market.' Domestically, Ng said a lacklustre corporate earnings season has added to investor caution. To-date, 28 companies have been listed on Bursa Malaysia this year, with Paradigm Real Estate Investment Trust making its debut yesterday. Another three are expected to list by end-June – Ping Edge Technology Bhd (June 13), Cuckoo International (M) Bhd (June 24) and Pan Merchant Bhd (June 26) – bringing the first-half total to 31 IPOs. This puts Bursa Malaysia slightly past the halfway mark of its full-year target of 60 IPOs, but Ng warned that delays and repricings suggest growing caution among potential debutants. 'We've already seen two or three companies pushing back their listings,' said Ng. 'Several IPOs also revised their offer prices downward.' Cuckoo, which was initially scheduled to list on April 30, deferred its debut to June 24 due to 'near-term market challenges'. Its IPO price was also reported to have been revised to RM1.10 per share from RM1.29 previously, although this has yet to be confirmed by the company. Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd, which has since listed, similarly trimmed its IPO price to RM1.13 from RM1.21 before going public. Whether Bursa Malaysia hits its target of 60 listings this year now depends not just on pipeline readiness – but on whether the broader market gives debutants a reason to come forward. Across the shore, Singapore is taking a markedly different approach to reinvigorate its equity market. In February, the Monetary Authority of Singapore or MAS rolled out a bold S$5bil Equity Market Development Programme to boost liquidity on the Singapore Exchange by investing through selected fund managers focused on actively managed strategies targeting local small and mid-cap stocks. This is complemented by tax exemptions on fund manager income 'derived from funds investing substantially in Singapore-listed equities', a narrowed Global Investor Programme to channel more capital into listed equities, and expanded research grants to improve coverage and investor engagement in the equity market.
