3 Reasons Why Padang Serai Land For Sale Attract You

Padang Serai is in the southern part of Kedah is in Kulim district, Kedah, Malaysia. The town is located between Kuala Ketil and Lunas.

Reason [1]: Padang Serai is surrounded by oil palm and rubber plantations and the nearby Kulim High-tech Industrial Zone (KHTP) which is 10km away has 56 percent Malay, 23 percent Indians and 12 percent Chinese voters.

Reason [2]: Mix development in progress in the vicinity of Kulim International Airport (KXP), Kedah. The yet to build Kulim International Airport (KXP) is about 1km away from Padang Serai with estimated cost of RM1.6bil. The costs included land acquisition, the building of basic infrastructure of the airport and two runways.

There are few villages such as Kg Teluk Binu, Kg Sidam Kanan, Kg Sentosa, Permatang Durian and some estates like Ladang Bukit Selarong, Ladang Nagalilit. Labu Besar is 20km away.

Padang Serai is famous with its "Pekan Sehari Ahad" or Sunday's Market. Padang Serai is a fast expanding town with the mushrooming of many new housing estates.

Source | Wikipedia

Reason [3]: With the new housing estates been mushroomed, the demand of flat land in the district of Padang Serai is getting sought after by developers and investors with reasonable price. 

A piece of land currently consists of oil palm and rubber estate is up for sale. The subjected land is about 30 hectares with access from main road of Padang Serai and rectangular in shape.

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Note: If you've factory/warehouse/land/commercial building/condominium/house to sell/let or intent to buy/rent one, do call Mr Vulcan Lau +6 016 451 1321 . We will match the buyer/tenant or seller/landlord for you from our Multiple Listing Service .

Pe­nang And Kulim | Kedah | Employment Opportunity Buzzing Up North

We're going to conclude the month of January 2016 and the article below does shed some light regarding 'strategic hiring' which literally means hiring by demand on certain expertise fields or placement. Read on for your own benefits of how the employment opportunities in northern region of Malaysia for 2016.

Getting bigger: An indication of PENANG's EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES is the expansion plans of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, which has signed a deal to expand its plant, shown here in a file photo.

It's Buzzing Up North

While large-scale hiring is not happening, 'strategic hiring' is offering job opportunities.

IT's good news for job seekers in the engineering field, especially in Penang.

Recruitment firm Rober Walters Malaysia recently indentified the state as a hub for semiconductor and electrical and electronics (E&E) manufacturing with more foreign direct investment (FDI) focusing on the north of the country this year.

"In Penang and Kulim (Kedah), there's a lot of buzz. We're confident of growth," said Sally Raj, managing director of Robert Walters, when announcing that the company will open its second office in Penang this year.

"Riding on Penang's anticipated ICT and E&E growth, our focus will be on engineering, manufacturing, procurement and supply chain sectors," she adds.

Advising job seekers to keep options open and move to where the growth is, she says: "Don't get stuck in the 'I only want to work in the Klang Valley' mindset."

Malaysian American Electronics Industry chairman Datuk Wong Siew Hai points out that Penang has always been a semiconductor and E&E hub. It has grown and diversified with some expansion slated for this year. Large scale hiring, however, is not expected; rather, the key phrase is "strategic hiring", he says.

"Yes, there are pockets of hiring, especially in design development, to fill critical positions and work on new projects in areas like automation and cloud computing."

This still doesn't mean it's easy to get a job in Malaysia - you have to be the "right talent and a right fit", he stresses.

Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Datuk Shamsuddin Bardan says Johor, Malacca, Penang, Sarawak and Selangor accounted for 88.5% of total approved investments in the country last year.

The approved manufacturing projects translated to over 50,000 job opportunities with 33.9% in experienced, highly skilled jobs, including in the areas of E&E, mechanical and chemical engineers, and skilled craftsmen, he says.

Zooming in on Penang, he says a well-developed local supply chain, established infrastructure, and a supportive ecosystem have contributed to the state's reputation as a global hub for E&E.

"Employment opportunities will grow with foreign investment. While there have been retrenchments in some E&E companies, there is no massive retrenchment exercise in Penang despite some mergers and acquisitions activity."

Penang Freight Forwarders Association (PFFA) vicechairman P. Kalimuthu welcomes the Robert Walters forecast as about 70% of its business is semiconductor and E&E related. Based on last year's 3% contraction of cargo handled at Penang International Airport, PFFA had predicted growth in the industry would be flat this year.

"If the semiconductor and E&E industry is expected to be robust, of course we'll be very happy because it forms a large chunk of our industry. Hopefully, instead of another contraction, we'll see an expansion."

PFFA president Krishnan Chelliah, however, predicts minimal growth - if any at all. It's still a challenge for industry players, he says. The shrinking ringgit benefits exporters but the global slowdown, especially in China, will impact growth, he feels.

InvestPenang director Datuk Lee Kah Choon says the E&E sector is cyclical like most businesses. And it's very much tied to the general global economic growth. With a subdued general global forecast, the E&E sector will most likely maintain its current growth momentum. The depreciating ringgit is also a positive factor - at least in the short term if manufacturers are exporting in US dollars.

"Investment in Penang has been consistent over the years. It's a favourite destination for investors looking for a strong E&E supply chain and a talented and trained work force."

He, however, feels we must do more to upgrade our education system. "We must produce an industry-ready and industry-needed workforce," he stresses.

On Thursday, Osram Opto Semicondustors inked a deal with Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to expand its factory in the state. The Penang Government has approved the construction and lease of a RM15.5mil building.

During the event, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng shared how Penang recorded RM8.2bil in investments in 2014, a 110% increase compared to RM3.9bil in 2013. Between 2008 and 2014, the state recorded investments of RM48.2bil, a 93% increase compared to the period between 2001 and 2007.

Describing the Osram deal as a strategic investment for the state, Lim says the company's expansion will focus on high-skilled business and technology roles which will create high value employment for Penang talent.

Source | The Star Malaysia

Boldly go. LLAP

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Happy New Year 2016 | Cheers Twenty Sixteen

We wish you Happy New Year 2016 | Cheers Twenty Sixteen

Affordable Housing | The 5 Best Resources for Penang Developers New Projects In 2016

Projects worth RM4bil in Penang next year

Developers shift focus to higher-priced residential properties

• StarBiz
 
• December 28, 2015

Chan: ‘We still fore­see the vol­ume and value trans­ac­tions of prop­er­ties to con­tract in 2016. How­ever, the con­trac­tion this time won’t be so sharp.’

GEORGE TOWN: Five developers will undertake RM4.33bil in property projects in Penang next year despite a challenging year for the property market.

The developers planned to price their mostly residential properties from between RM480,000 and RM3.3mil.

The price range came on the heels of this year’s launches of between RM200,000 and RM400,000 in strategic locations.

The developers would be shifting their focus to higher-priced residential properties. The condominium units in Bayan Lepas will be from 1,000 sq ft and priced from RM480,000 while three-storey houses with built-up of 5,300 sq ft will be priced at RM3.3mil in Seri Tanjung Pinang.

The developers are IJM Land Bhd with gross development value (GDV) of RM415mil, Ideal Property Group (RM1.46bil GDV), Hunza Properties Bhd (RM600mil GDV), Eastern & Oriental Bhd (RM650mil GDV) and Mah Sing Group Bhd (RM1.2bil GDV).

Real Estate & Housing Developers’ Association (Penang) chairman Datuk Jerry Chan told StarBiz that developers could be shifting their focus to properties priced from RM400,000 as there was a large supply of housing priced between RM200,000 and RM400,000 targeting first-time buyers.

This did not mean that buyers have lost interest in affordable housing with built-up of 900 sq ft and priced from RM500 to RM600 per sq ft.

Chan pointed out that developers would continue to build housing in the affordable range to leverage on the higher density for plots of land but there would be a gradual shift to the “non-affordable” range.

He added that there would be fewer launches in 2016, due to the difficulties in obtaining bridging and end-financing loans from banks.

Referring to the incoming supply of housing that were currently under construction, Chan said this would be spread over a five- to 10-year period, depending on market demand and the size of the schemes.

The National Information Property Centre (Napic) report revealed that the state would see an incoming supply of 72,114 units into the market.

According to the Napic report, the existing stock of houses in the state stood at 393,303, compared with 383,484 in the first half of 2014.

“We still foresee the volume and value transactions of properties to contract in 2016. However, the contraction this time won’t be so sharp,” Chan said.

Ideal executive chairman Datuk Alex Ooi said the group had developed 4,840 units of affordable projects on the island for the last two years.

“We have sold about 60% of these properties. Moving ahead, the strategy is to move into the non-affordable range priced between RM400,000 and RM600,000.

“Ideal Property still has around 300 acres of land bank on the island. We have some 25,000 units of properties planned for the land bank.

“There are still 8,000 units of properties with more than RM4bil in GDV to be implemented over the next 10 years, priced between RM400,000 and RM600,000,” Ooi said.

'Moderate to flat' outlook

Ooi expected property market conditions to be “moderate” to “flat” in the coming year.

Mah Sing (North) senior general manager Law Wei Keong said the company had recently completed a survey on the preference of housing products in the country.

“The study revealed that a majority of the 6,000 surveyed favoured houses priced in the range of RM500,000 to RM700,000,” he said.

Of the RM2bil worth of housing projects launched in the country this year, about 16% were priced from RM1mil, while the remaining 84% are below RM1mil, according to Law.

IJM Land senior general manager (north) Datuk Toh Chin Leong said despite the weak market sentiment, the company would continue to launch properties priced below RM800,000.

“It will be a slow year for the property market in 2016,” Toh said.

IJM Land’s pipeline of projects for next year in Penang included the RM232mil Waterside Residence in The Light Waterfront project next to Penang Bridge, the RM64.7mil Trehaus Condo Villa scheme in Bukit Jambul, and the RM118.4mil Senjayu Terrace project in Jawi, South Seberang Prai.

The Trehaus and the Waterside Residences scheme would be launched in the second quarter of 2016, while the Senjayu Terrace would be introduced in late 2016.

“The price of the three property schemes ranged between RM730,000 and RM1.3mil,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ideal would be launching the RM460mil Forestville, RM600mil Queens Waterfront Residences, and RM400mil Camerlina, located in Bayan Lepas, priced between RM480,000 and RM800,000.

“There is still growing need for mid-range houses that is reasonably priced, located within mature township, surrounded and supported by amenities such as schools with good accessibility, lower density with lifestyle concept,” he said.

Eastern & Oriental will develop the recently launched RM482mil Tamarind and 50 units of terraced houses with a RM168mil GDV in Seri Tanjung Pinang.

The Tamarind units, ranging between 1,000 sq ft and 1,770 sq ft, are priced around RM691,000 and RM1.16mil, while the terraced units, with built-up areas of 5,300 sq ft, are priced from RM3.3mil.

Its general manager (marketing and sales) Christina Lau said the Tamarind was scheduled for completion in 2019.

No date has been set for the completion of the 50-terraced properties.

Mah Sing to unveil Ferringhi Residence 2

Mah Sing will launch the RM735mil Ferringhi Residence 2, the RM350mil Icon Residence and an unnamed RM150mil project in Southbay City, Batu Maung.

“We are targeting the Ferringhi Residence 2 launch in the first quarter,” Law said.

The Ferringhi Residence 2 consists of three blocks offering 632 units with built-up areas from 1,208 sq ft to 2,910 sq ft, priced from RM775,265.

Law said the pricing for the unnamed project would be below RM680 per sq ft.

“The units have built-up areas of 750 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hunza will develop the RM600mil Alila 2 project in Tanjung Bungah, 270 units which have built up of between 1,900 sq ft and 3,300 sq ft, priced from RM775 per sq ft.

“We will promote the 9.8acre project in Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore early next year.

“The key attractions are the size of the units, which are extremely scarce on the island nowadays,” group managing director Khor Siang Gin said.

Source | StarBiz

Question: The prediction of 2016 of continue slowdown as a continuation from 2015 seems to hold water. Are the developers moving in right direction for affordable homes? What do you think? [Kindly share your comment below]

Bear in mind, Penang Government just published its massive blueprint of RM27 billion Penang Transportation Master Plan (PTMP) and location, location, location is there to consider for your hard earned money.

Boldly go. LLAP

VulcanInternational could be contacted at +6 016 451 1321 | #VulcanInternational | #VulcanFocus | #YouCallWeMatch

More details: http://vulcaninternational.blogspot.com .

You're welcome to write your constructive comment below.

investPenang | 5 Amazing Merges And Acquisitions

Malaysia Industry News | Penang State's invest Penang has came out with facts and figures including information on employment to clear the air on what's going on with the current industrial merges and acquisitions as in press statement published in Mutiara Buletin Issue of Nov 1-15, 2015 directory as below:

invest Penang director Datuk Lee Kah Choon

PRESS STATEMENT—CURRENT INDUSTRY M&A        

[ investPenang | url address:http://www.investpenang.gov.my ]

27 Oct 2015

1. As the State's investment promotion agency, investPenang wishes to address the current spate of on-line news and speculations regarding corporate movements of a few semiconductors / E&E (Electrical and Electronic) multinationals in Penang.

2. In today's industries and business, mergers and acquisitions are commonly carried out not only to consolidate operations but also for other reasons such as increase in market share and technology synergies. This is happening globally in the semicon and E&E (Electrical and Electronics) technology companies and Penang, as an electronic hub, with its many international companies, is invariably impacted.

3. In 1H 2015 alone, globally, $72.6 billion worth of M&A (mergers and acquisitions) were announced. This was more than four times the value of M&A reported in fiscal 2014. The 3 major M&A include:

- $37 billion acquisition of Broadcom by Avago

- $16.7 billion acquisition of Altera by lntel

- $11.8 billion acquisition of NXP Semiconductor by Freescale.

4. In Penang, 5 multinationals recently announced their M&As:

[a.] AMD joint venture with Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronic Co.

85% share in AMD's manufacturing sites in Penang and Suzhou, China were sold to Nantong Fujitsu Microelectronics for $371 million cash; with AMD retaining 15% stake. The manufacturing site in Penang will remain in operation. The JV is the “latest step in AMD's strategic transformation to further sharpen focus and operations on designing high-performance products." The company announced that "there are no planned workforce reductions in Penang AMD facility”. The deal expected to be closed first half 2016, as long as regulatory and other  approvals are obtained.

[b.] Sanmina Corp to take over Motorola Solutions’ manufacturing facility in Bayan Lepas.

Motorola's manufacturing in Technoplex facility will be taken over by Sanmina Corp, a leading integrated manufacturing service provider; whilst it focuses on R&D in Penang. They confirmed that the "sale does not change Motorola's commitment in Malaysia" and ”allows Motorola Solutions to deliver best in class service to its partners and customers”. They also reported in a local press on Oct 14th, 2015 that the "transfer does mean there will be a reduction in staffs". Employees will be transferred to Sanmina at no lesser terms than what they currentlv have. The transaction is expected to be finalized by early 2016.

[c.] Western Digital acquiring SanDisk

WD announced on 21 Oct 2019, its plan to acquire SanDisk for $19B cash and stock. The deal is scheduled to be closed by Q3 2016. There are currently 1042 employees in SanDisk Penang.

[d.] Amphenol to close one part of its business.

Amphenol is consolidating its mobile consumer products division in Asia Pacific, closing one of its plants in Penang. 150 employees will be affected. The Company will continue manufacturing of high speed connectors in 2 other plants in Penang, employing 800 staffs.

[e.] Dell acquired EMC at $67billion

Acquisition, announced on 12 Oct, 2015, was made to ‘evolve the company into the most relevant areas where lT is moving’.

From the above, it can be seen that only 150 jobs in Penang are affected. More job consolidation could be happening due to other M&As but there are no news of closure to date. Corporate movements will impact Penang, as host to many MNCs, and also other States in Malaysia.

5. In Penang, investments in the manufacturing sector remain robust. Recently, Jinko Solar as well as JA Solar, both multinational Chinese companies, started operations in Penang offering a total of 1,900 jobs. HP is currently constructing their factory in Batu Kawan and will employ 1,000 staff when it is in full operation. Overall, according to MIDA (Malaysian Investment Development Authority) , a total of 17,896 new jobs will be created in Penang via approved investments in 2014 and 13,199 new jobs via approved investments in 1H 2015.

6. Penang managed to attract RM48.2 billion worth of investments from 2008 to 2014, which is 93% higher than the RM24.9 billion invested on a similar 6 year period from 2001 to 2007.

7. In addition to manufacturing, the services sector, especially Global Business Services and Shared Services Outsourcing continues to offer high value job opportunities. HP recently started a finance centre at PDC Technoplex. Others include Osram‘s GBS center employing 150 staff and Jurong Engineering Design Center with 200 staff.

8. The Penang Career Assistance and Talent (CAT) Center continues to provide assistance to job seekers and employers looking for right candidates. As at 26 Oct, 2015, a total of 3,246 vacancies in Penang can be found in job portals linked to the CAT Centre.

9. The State government via invest Penang is working closely with companies that have made announcements to assist and smoothen transition. However, for companies that have yet to make any official statements, due to confidentiality requirements at this stage or other reasons, whenever they can, we urge them to clarify matters to quell the spread of rumours. Further updates and clarifications will be given by investPenang when necessary.

10. As an international city where many multinationals are located, Penang will be subjected to vagaries of global business trends directly. We however remain positive in facing these challenges and steadfast in assisting all our investors and employees.

Source | Mutiara Buletin

You should also read related articles:

Penang | Silicon Valley of East losing position?

Adios Fairchild Semiconductor (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Malaysia | investPenang | Penang Capital Investments 1QFY2015 In One Easy Step (Infographic)

Malaysia | investPenang | Penang State's Capital Investments From 2010-2014

Malaysia | Exclusive Penang Factory/Warehouse Rental and Sale Price Report FY2014/2015

Malaysia Investment | investPenang | PSDC | PDC | IT-BPO | 5 Reasons For Penang FDI Moving Forward?

Cause for concern: Is Penang on the cusp of losing its position as the Silicon Valley of the East following news of relocations, mergers, retrenchment and even plant closures involving several major foreign electronic players in the state? What's your opinion? (Before you form your opinion do read through the related articles above)

Boldly go. LLAP

#VulcanInternational could be contacted at +6 016 451 1321 | #VulcanInternational 

http://vulcaninternational.blogspot.com .

You're welcome to write your constructive comment below.