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NIK ZAFRI BIN ABDUL MAJID,
CONSULTANT/TRAINER
Email: nikzafri@yahoo.com, nikzafri@gmail.com
https://nikzafri.wixsite.com/nikzafri

Kelantanese, Alumni of Sultan Ismail College Kelantan (SICA), IT Competency Cert, Certified Written English Professional US. Has participated in many seminars/conferences (local/ international) in the capacity of trainer/lecturer and participant.

Affiliations :- Network Member of Gerson Lehrman Group, Institute of Quality Malaysia, Auditor ISO 9000 IRCAUK, Auditor OHSMS (SIRIM and STS) /EMS ISO 14000 and Construction Quality Assessment System CONQUAS, CIDB (Now BCA) Singapore),

* Possesses almost 30 years of experience/hands-on in the multi-modern management & technical disciplines (systems & methodologies) such as Knowledge Management (Hi-Impact Management/ICT Solutions), Quality (TQM/ISO), Safety Health Environment, Civil & Building (Construction), Manufacturing, Motivation & Team Building, HR, Marketing/Branding, Business Process Reengineering, Economy/Stock Market, Contracts/Project Management, Finance & Banking, etc. He was employed to international bluechips involving in national/international megaprojects such as Balfour Beatty Construction/Knight Piesold & Partners UK, MMI Insurance Group Australia, Hazama Corporation (Hazamagumi) Japan (with Mitsubishi Corporation, JA Jones US, MMCE and Ho-Hup) and Sunway Construction Berhad (The Sunway Group of Companies). Among major projects undertaken : Pergau Hydro Electric Project, KLCC Petronas Twin Towers, LRT Tunnelling, KLIA, Petronas Refineries Melaka, Putrajaya Government Complex, Sistem Lingkaran Lebuhraya Kajang (SILK), Mex Highway, KLIA1, KLIA2 etc. Once serviced SMPD Management Consultants as Associate Consultant cum Lecturer for Diploma in Management, Institute of Supervisory Management UK/SMPD JV. Currently – Associate/Visiting Consultants/Facilitators, Advisors for leading consulting firms (local and international) including project management. To name a few – Noma SWO Consult, Amiosh Resources, Timur West Consultant Sdn. Bhd., TIJ Consultants Group (Malaysia and Singapore) and many others.

* Ex-Resident Weekly Columnist of Utusan Malaysia (1995-1998) and have produced more than 100 articles related to ISO-9000– Management System and Documentation Models, TQM Strategic Management, Occupational Safety and Health (now OHSAS 18000) and Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000. His write-ups/experience has assisted many students/researchers alike in module developments based on competency or academics and completion of many theses. Once commended by the then Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia for his diligence in promoting and training the civil services (government sector) based on “Total Quality Management and Quality Management System ISO-9000 in Malaysian Civil Service – Paradigm Shift Scalar for Assessment System”

Among Nik Zafri’s clients : Adabi Consumer Industries Sdn. Bhd, (MRP II, Accounts/Credit Control) The HQ of Royal Customs and Excise Malaysia (ISO 9000), Veterinary Services Dept. Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (Aspects of Project Management – KLCC construction), Corporate HQ of RHB (Peter Drucker's MBO/KRA), NEC Semiconductor - Klang Selangor (Productivity Management), Prime Minister’s Department Malaysia (ISO 9000), State Secretarial Office Negeri Sembilan (ISO 9000), Hidrological Department KL (ISO 9000), Asahi Kluang Johor(System Audit, Management/Supervisory Development), Tunku Mahmood (2) Primary School Kluang Johor (ISO 9000), Consortium PANZANA (HSSE 3rd Party Audit), Lecturer for Information Technology Training Centre (ITTC) – Authorised Training Center (ATC) – University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Kluang Branch Johor, Kluang General Hospital Johor (Management/Supervision Development, Office Technology/Administration, ISO 9000 & Construction Management), Kahang Timur Secondary School Johor (ISO 9000), Sultan Abdul Jalil Secondary School Kluang Johor (Islamic Motivation and Team Building), Guocera Tiles Industries Kluang Johor (EMS ISO 14000), MNE Construction (M) Sdn. Bhd. Kota Tinggi Johor (ISO 9000 – Construction), UITM Shah Alam Selangor (Knowledge Management/Knowledge Based Economy /TQM), Telesystem Electronics/Digico Cable(ODM/OEM for Astro – ISO 9000), Sungai Long Industries Sdn. Bhd. (Bina Puri Group) - ISO 9000 Construction), Secura Security Printing Sdn. Bhd,(ISO 9000 – Security Printing) ROTOL AMS Bumi Sdn. Bhd & ROTOL Architectural Services Sdn. Bhd. (ROTOL Group) – ISO 9000 –Architecture, Bond M & E (KL) Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9000 – Construction/M & E), Skyline Telco (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Knowledge Management),Technochase Sdn. Bhd JB (ISO 9000 – Construction), Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (IKIM – ISO 9000 & Internal Audit Refresher), Shinryo/Steamline Consortium (Petronas/OGP Power Co-Generation Plant Melaka – Construction Management and Safety, Health, Environment), Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Negotiation Skills), Association for Retired Intelligence Operatives of Malaysia (Cyber Security – Arpa/NSFUsenet, Cobit, Till, ISO/IEC ISMS 27000 for Law/Enforcement/Military), T.Yamaichi Corp. (M) Sdn. Bhd. (EMS ISO 14000) LSB Manufacturing Solutions Sdn. Bhd., (Lean Scoreboard (including a full development of System-Software-Application - MSC Malaysia & Six Sigma) PJZ Marine Services Sdn. Bhd., (Safety Management Systems and Internal Audit based on International Marine Organization Standards) UNITAR/UNTEC (Degree in Accountacy – Career Path/Roadmap) Cobrain Holdings Sdn. Bhd.(Managing Construction Safety & Health), Speaker for International Finance & Management Strategy (Closed Conference), Pembinaan Jaya Zira Sdn. Bhd. (ISO 9001:2008-Internal Audit for Construction Industry & Overview of version 2015), Straits Consulting Engineers Sdn. Bhd. (Full Integrated Management System – ISO 9000, OHSAS 18000 (ISO 45000) and EMS ISO 14000 for Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Consulting), Malaysia Management & Science University (MSU – (Managing Business in an Organization), Innoseven Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 MSPR8 – Awareness and Internal Audit (Construction), ISO 9001:2008 and 2015 overview for the Construction Industry), Kemakmuran Sdn. Bhd. (KVMRT Line 1 - Signages/Wayfinding - Project Quality Plan and Construction Method Statement ), Lembaga Tabung Haji - Flood ERP, WNA Consultants - DID/JPS -Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan - Prelim, Conceptual Design, Interim and Final Report etc., Tunnel Fire Safety - Fire Risk Assessment Report - Design Fire Scenario), Safety, Health and Environmental Management Plans leading construction/property companies/corporations in Malaysia, Timur West Consultant : Business Methodology and System, Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya ISMS/Audit/Risk/ITP Technical Team, MPDT Capital Berhad - ISO 9001: 2015 - Consultancy, Construction, Project Rehabilitation, Desalination (first one in Malaysia to receive certification on trades such as Reverse Osmosis Seawater Desalination and Project Recovery/Rehabilitation)

* Has appeared for 10 consecutive series in “Good Morning Malaysia RTM TV1’ Corporate Talk Segment discussing on ISO 9000/14000 in various industries. For ICT, his inputs garnered from his expertise have successfully led to development of work-process e-enabling systems in the environments of intranet, portal and interactive web design especially for the construction and manufacturing. Some of the end products have won various competitions of innovativeness, quality, continual-improvements and construction industry award at national level. He has also in advisory capacity – involved in development and moderation of websites, portals and e-profiles for mainly corporate and private sectors, public figures etc. He is also one of the recipients for MOSTE Innovation for RFID use in Electronic Toll Collection in Malaysia.

Note :


TO SEE ALL ARTICLES

ON THE"LABEL" SECTION BELOW (RIGHT SIDE COLUMN), YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY TAG - TO READ ALL ARTICLES ACCORDING TO ITS CATEGORY (E.G. LABEL : CONSTRUCTION) OR GO TO THE VERY END OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK "Older Posts"


 

Showing posts with label EU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EU. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EUROPEAN UNION VISITORS PROGRAM (EUVP)

ANYONE IN MALAYSIA INTERESTED - A ONCE AND A LIFETIME PROGRAM. 
(Once you've read this article - click on the banner)

 EUROPEAN UNION VISITORS PROGRAM

 EUROPEAN UNION VISITORS PROGRAM

What is the EUVP?

The European Union Visitors Program (EUVP) invites young, promising leaders from countries outside the European Union to visit Europe to gain a first-hand appreciation of the EU’s goals, policies and peoples and to increase mutual understanding between professionals from non-EU countries and their EU counterparts.
The EUVP is jointly sponsored and administered by the European Parliament and the European Commission. An EUVP visit consists of an individual 5- to 8-day program of meetings with EU officials at the EU institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and/or Luxembourg. All programs are coordinated and arranged by the EUVP Secretariat rather than by individual participants. Travel and per diem costs are covered by the EUVP.
The program has been in operation since 1974. That first year, 5 selected Americans made their way across the Atlantic. Since then, more than 600 have followed – by the end of 2003, 611 American grantees had visited the EU through the EUVP. In its first years of operation, the program was only open to Americans, its original impetus being to improve knowledge and understanding of EU development specifically among “shooting stars” from the United States. Since then, however, the scope of the program has grown considerably so that, in 2004, the EU welcomed 170 grantees from more than 70 different countries. Nevertheless, American participants continue to make up the largest single-country group.  (Read about the history of the program)

Who is eligible to participate?

Eligible participants include government officials (local, state, and federal), journalists, trade unionists, educators, officials of non-profit and non-governmental organizations, and other professionals aged 30-40 with career-related interests in the European Union. Ideally, candidates will be professionals in a field where their EUVP experience will enhance their understanding of EU-U.S. relations and contribute positively to their chosen career path. Basic knowledge of EU institutions and their functioning is a plus.
Please note that the EUVP is not designed as a program for students: participants are required to have completed their university education or equivalent training and to have been employed for several years in their chosen career field.
As mentioned above, in addition to the United States, EUVP candidates are selected from a large number of non-EU countries throughout the world. Non-US applicants should contact the EU Delegation in the country in which they have citizenship.



How are participants selected?

EUVP participants are selected by a committee chaired jointly by staff of the European Parliament and the European Commission. Sixteen visitors from the United States are selected each year. The total number of visitors worldwide is generally about 160.

What is the application process?

The Washington Delegation is responsible for applications from Americans, living and working in the United States. Please complete the following forms and send the originals by mail and copy by e-mail to the Delegation, no later than the deadline of March 1st 2015.
Applications should be addressed to:

EUVP Coordinator

Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America
2175 K Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037


Faxed applications are accepted at (202) 429-1766, but must be followed by originals in hard copy.



Alumni Relations

Alumni Relations - Section for former EU Delegation interns, EU Visitors Program Participants, Graduate Journalism Students Press Visit Participants, EU Fellows, etc.

Brochure

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Nik Zafri's disclaimer :

The program has no absolute relation to Nik Zafri or this blog. This is a rewritten material or hyperlinks displayed are to promote the program (self-initiatve) to qualified Malaysians - please visit the European Union Visitors Program website for the official information.

Thursday, April 30, 2009




DEAR HEDGE FUNDS MANAGERS

Although hedging is done 'discreetly' by some 'hedge fund managers', I still think that Malaysia (in particular SC) should keep a close surveillance by having a revised version of regulations to monitor private equity company's especially. I heard stories from some European friends that EC has come out with such regulations. Finally EC has come to its senses and limit of patience. (the line must be drawn here..this far..no further...) Anything > 1:1 leverage is only a 'rumour' and excuse being protective but if you go on being stubborn about it - it may be 'the end' of private equity...(trust me)

I know that many may disagree with me and they are willing to see me to debate endlessly on the subject (hey..you guys are forgetting, I am well aware of the mechanisms..ok?) Everyone involve in hedge fund in Malaysia in whatever capacity should know better what's going on this world today. Even the most popular and oldest Rolodex is slowing down..so, you should think twice before moving on...(not to mention Alpha, Pequot and Andor - possible shut down is expected)

Bursa Malaysia is just showing the signs of curing but if you should all know the danger of 'reopening old wounds'...look around you..do you care? Volatile price, foreclosure even unemployment (not to mention crime rates) etc can be translated into 'not favouring' the hedge funds...in short - 'losses'!! But so many of us claimed that hedge funds is not the cause but quoting European policymakers :

"They many have exacerbated it by fueling bubbles with leveraged investments in the good times and then offloading assets by the bucket-load in the bad times"

Many people follow your assurance that they'll be making money but they didn't actually get what they should be getting - but most of you fund managers love to blame 'the economic crisis'...what an absurd statement! (excuse me!) You are 'hedging'!! (making money in down markets - this doesn't work anymore..face it!) Traders and portfolio managers have been sending e-mails to me that they are loosing money out of their pockets...ask them why? (20% on top of 2% management fee? Ring a bell?)

But despite of all these talks of mine - I ain't implying that hedge fund is no good but during unsuitable times like today, something should be done either follow the rules 'religiously' or off you go! Why Nik? Here's my answer : it's almost 1998 all over again...and I'm sure you don't want this to reoccur. 1998 is not because of hedge funds but a proper regulations were not really there yet.

So, what sort of regulations Nik? You have ideas? Ok..first of all private equity and hedge funds 'people' must be transparent from now on...no more 'disreet'..no more 'classified'..no more 'confidentiality'. I know sometimes taxation is a big issue to you but give it a thought for just a short while - give your lending ears to listen to what I have to say before you click 'x' on this blog.
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Initial proposal from Nik Zafri to anyone out there reading my blog - who wish to listen :

You must first reveal your plan (To the proper authorities..I don't know..maybe SC, Inland Revenue, BNM) on:

a) managing level of capital,

b) managing risk,

c) valuation of assets and most important

d) your strategy in doing business.

2nd - STOP NOW if you're involved in any trade relating to MONEY LAUNDERING!! (so, is this the thing you're being discreet about?) Get out now before it's too late!

3rd - It's time to pay based on gains not losses!! Otherwise, we will go back to square 1...make money during down market..gosh...

Having this sort of regulations may help our economic recovery further but of course if the regulations are not strict enough and having loopholes...definitely there can be abuse - some people in the market will always creatively found a way to do 'evasive maneuvers'

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More to come...

Monday, June 09, 2008

A good article from The Globalist Dot Com where I'm one of the subscriber.

Nik

---------------------------------
Acknowledging China By Jianxiong Zhang | Thursday, February 28, 2008

China's economic boom of the last three decades has raised concerns about resource scarcity, pollution and trade. While China's development has made it one of the world's largest economies, hundreds of millions still live in poverty. Jianxiong Zhang argues that the United States and the European Union must acknowledge China's efforts to address climate change and trade disputes.

In the context of globalization, the economy increasingly influences international relations. This is because strengthening interdependence and intensifying frictions between economies tend to go hand-in-hand. As a result, it is no wonder China is worried about the impacts on its relations with the United States and the European Union.

The scale of China's growth

It is well-known that China's economy has been growing at an average rate over 9% for 27 years now. And, in the past five years, its annual growth rate exceeded 10%.

In 2006, China’s GDP reached $2.6 trillion (in purchasing power terms), or 5% of the world total — ranking fourth in the world.

Growth and poverty

China’s development is as an evolutionary stage, rather than an obstacle to its relations with the United States and European Union.

China has reached the top ranks of economies in the world by GDP — but it still lags behind 109 other countries in terms of per capita income.

China needs to further develop, so as to improve the living standards of its citizens, allowing them to enjoy a life comparable to that in medium-developed countries.

This is their right — and indeed one of their fundamental human rights.

Supporting the world economy

The continual growth in China makes significant contributions to the world economy. Firstly, China’s economy contributed 13.8% of the global GDP growth during the 2003-2005 period.

The rate is second only to that of the United States. That is to say, with China’s continued growth, the world economy will not substantially slide down even if the U.S. economy falls into recession.

Benefits from China

China needs to further develop, so as to improve the living standards of its citizens. This is their right — and indeed one of their fundamental human rights.

Second, cheap goods exported from China are helpful to prevent inflation in its trading partners. Third, the fruits of economic growth in China are shared by industrialized countries in general — and in the United States and the European Union in particular.

They receive a great deal of profits from their place in the international division of labor, and gain significant returns from their financial services, foreign direct investment and patent income from China.

For example, about 20% of revenues from each mobile phone, 30% from each computer and 30-40% from numerically controlled machine tools made in China go to investors or patent owners in the United States, the European Union or other countries.

Concerns from abroad

Kind-hearted people in the rest of the world are happy to see and hail the economic progress in China, for it helps millions of people there escape from poverty. Thus, it brings new impetus to economic growth globally.

However, the United States and Europe are very concerned about the consequences of China’s development. Apart from positive expectations, they wonder what negative impacts China’s development will have on them.

Managing growth

Kind-hearted people in the rest of the world hail the economic progress in China, for it helps millions of people there escape from poverty.

For instance, they wonder whether China will compete for natural resources, energy and markets with them

— and to what extent China’s development will lead to pollution and climate change. A more extreme observation even views China’s development as a “threat.”

As regards climate change, it should be noted that Beijing has already set about tackling the problem.

The Chinese government pursues a policy of “scientific development” and carries out programs to build China into a resource-conserving society, which contain a series of measures to save resources and energy.

Resources in historical perspective

From 1990 to 2005, the energy consumption per thousand dollars of GDP was cut from 2.19 to 1.17 tons of coal equivalent, with an annual reduction rate of 4.1%. This figure, however, as well as greenhouse gases emissions per unit of GDP in China, is still higher than those in the United States and the European Union.

This is largely because the United States and the European Union have been in the post-industrialized stage (where more than 70% of GDP is contributed by service sectors), while China is still in the industrializing stage (where almost half of GDP comes from the industrial sector). This can be changed only by further development — and the change is under way at an accelerating pace.

Tackling climate change

Between close trading partners, disputes are a normal phenomenon. This should not be a factor to undermine relations between them.

The Chinese government set the targets of bringing down energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20%, cutting the total discharge of major pollutants by 10% and increasing forest cover from 18.2% to 20% between the end of 2005 and 2010.

The National Program on Tackling Climate Change released in May 2007 formulates that, by 2010, China will cut CO2 emissions by one billion tons through improving technologies and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies.

If international cooperation in developing greenhouse gas zero-discharge technologies can be accelerated, the impacts of China’s development on climate change will be further minimized.

The rights of the poor

As for the equitable distribution of energy, as well as natural resources and markets, this matter requires bilateral or multilateral consultations. Such consultations must be carried out on an equal basis.

In this process, two issues should be considered. One is the development right of poor countries. There are quite a few countries in the world where people live a life far below the living standards of industrialized countries.

A sense of equity

If international cooperation in developing greenhouse gas zero-discharge technologies can be accelerated, the impacts of China’s development on climate change will be further minimized.

When distributing the world's resources, rich countries should give more considerations to the interests and rights of poor countries. Up to now, the per capita income in China is just equal to 4.5% of that in the United States, 5% of that Japan, 5.8% of that in the eurozone and 10% of that in South Korea.

There are still 135 million people in China who live on less than $1 per day. There are 750 million such people in the world, of which China accounts for 18%.

The other issue is the principle of equality. According to the World Bank, the 2000 per capita consumption of energy was 3.8 tons of oil in the euro zone, 8.2 tons in the United States — while just 0.9 ton in China. The per capita consumption of energy in the United States is nine times that in China.

Measuring China's growth

At the same time, the per capita rate of CO2 emissions in China was two tons, compared with eight tons in the eurozone and 21 tons in the United States. In 2004, the per capita CO2 emissions in China increased to four tons.

This figure, however, was only 87% of the world average — and 33% of the OECD average.

Accepting disputes, improving relations

Along with China’s development, the trade disputes between it and the United States as well as the European Union are on the rise. Between close trading partners, disputes are a normal phenomenon. This should not undermine relations between them.

The economic structure of China can be changed only by further development — this is happening at an accelerating pace.

Trade disputes occur between the United States and the European Union, the United States and Japan, as well as the European Union and Japan. Since its inception, the WTO dispute settlement mechanism has been mostly used to deal with disputes between the United States and the European Union. The disputes, however, have never undermined the bilateral relationship.

In short, the contributions of China’s development are a net plus — even in light of its negative influences on the rest of the world. The negative effects brought about by development are controllable.

China’s development should be taken as an evolutionary process, rather than an obstacle to its relations with the United States and European Union.
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Here's something better from China Daily

China is not decoupling from US Economy
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-21 10:14

BEIJING - China's central bank on Sunday poured cold water on the idea that the country's economy can decouple from the United States.

China's exports will be badly hit if US consumption weakens, Zhang Tao, deputy head of the international department of the People's Bank of China, told a financial forum.

Figures due this week are expected to show that China's gross domestic product grew more than 11 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007 from a year earlier, despite a deepening US credit crunch.

But Zhang said he saw mounting risks to US consumer demand. He noted that retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.4 percent in December, while property prices were falling and rising petrol prices were crimping disposable incomes.

"If US consumption really comes down, that's bad news for us," Zhang said. "That will have a pretty severe impact on our exports."

Wang Jian, head of the China Society of Macroeconomics, agreed that China's growing trade with Europe was unlikely to insulate it from a drop in exports to the United States.

If US demand weakened, Europe would export less to America and, in turn, would buy less from China, Wang said.

"Global demand is ultimately driven by the United States," he said.

More US interest rate cuts or a further fall in the dollar in response to a weakening economy would have an impact on Chinese monetary policy, Zhang said without elaborating.

He said the subprime crisis would not divert China from the path of financial innovation.

"It will not change our general direction. However, it serves as a warning that we need to pay attention to risk controls and launch new businesses in a steady, orderly way," he said.

Dai Genyou, director of the central bank's credit bureau department, said higher Chinese interest rates would have little impact on the ability of companies to service their debts. Nor would they derail corporate investment plans, Dai said.