From : mbsbstaff-by-email, also posted on The Star Global Malaysian Forum - Topic : Business and Professional Networking - Thread : Architectural and Sustainable Design.

From : mbsbstaff-by-email - "Encik Nik Zafri, are you the same person who sent an invitation card for the officiation ceremony of the Fibreglass Water Tank in Puchong recently? Can I have more info?"

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Hi back, are you from Malaysian Building Society Berhad (I notice the mbsbstaff)? Yes it's the very same Nik Zafri, I assure you.

But I'm very curious of where did you see that invitation? For whom it was meant to originally - if I may know? As a matter of fact, I don't recall sending the invitation to MBSB...(unless this MBSB means something else)

Can I make a small correction? It's not Fibreglass Water Tank, it's Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic (or Polymer) Hot Pressed Moulded Water Storage Tank.

I'm actually one of the consulting panel and not in any way have shares/interest in the company. The company's market is mainly UAE with one of the subsidiaries of the reputable Bin-Zayed Group.

My job over there is to help out the company's long term business plans focussing (for the time being) the possibility of exploring local market - specifically on the issues of :

a) Vendor Development Program
b) Capital Financing possibilities via avenues of grants and perhaps SME
c) Business Diversification (as composite materials can be applied to construction industry (e.g. Fibreglass Reinforced Concrete), Aerospace and even military applications)

That's all for now..I don't want readers to think that I'm a salesman or something. :-)

Anyway, if you have any business interest, you can call 03-8060-4040 and talk to Encik Azman or Encik Zahari. I rarely go there except when required - so I won't be there all the time - so don't put your hopes to speak to me - I'm just a 'small guy' over there.

ISSUANCE OF 'GDP-LINKED' BONDS

There has been some interesting stories I heard in the market about the intention of the Government to issue bonds to stabilize the economy. When plan of economic stabilization involves, these bonds are known as "GDP-linked"

Just a short comment (I hope)

There are a number of things to talk about whenever anybody touched about GDP and linking it to bonds.

But one of the most popular reactions would be the increasing interest in creating bonds.

1. Bond servicing is higher during rapid growth but lower if the growth is slow.

2. For borrowers - issuance may stabilize public spending as Government can service more debt during affordable times and less during difficulties. It is also said to lower down crisis of debts and defaults. When you reduce the service of country's debt during recession, it may help in the recovery process.

3. For investors - losses may happen due to defaults. Thus, comapred to the conventional bond, this kind of bond (GDP-linked) can ensure higher total payment hence reducing default probability (what am I saying? )

4. The Government can help in financing some potential sectors if GDP-linked bonds are issued. In theory, some emerging or new sectors (any industry esp. manufacturing) can target to be listed in the Bursa Malaysia if they wish as bond issuance can help correction in the stock market.

5. It also helps in improving capital market as well (esp. corporate bonds - in Malaysia's case - the bonds issued by GLC). The corporate sector can reduce cost and improve capital efficience once bonds are integrated into the financial stucture.

Having said the above, there are disadvantages as well...I'll save the 'bad news' for another day.