The Royal Thai Embassy, Kuala Lumpur, wishes to inform the media representatives of the followings:

1. “Thai Film Festival in Malaysia 2017” is the first film festival organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations of Thailand, as part of the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Thailand in 2017. It is also intended to promote cultural understanding between the peoples of our two countries.

2. This festival will feature five Thai films, namely “A Gift”, “One Day”, “Take Me Home”, “Mr. Hurt” and “The Crown” at three cinemas, namely GSC Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, GSC One Utama and GSC Mid Valley.

3. All Thai Films in the Festival will be screened for FREE. To redeem the free tickets, only need to present a printout or take a snapshot of any Thai Film Festival in Malaysia 2017 photos or articles in any publication, online postings from facebook fanpage (https://www.facebook.com/TFFMalaysia/) or GSC digital channels and get 2 complimentary tickets at GSC Pavilion KL, GSC Mid Valley or GSC One Utama ticketing counters.

4. Prior to the festival, an opening night Reception & premier screening of “A Gift” will be held on 19th April 2017 at GSC Pavilion 5th Floor, Hall 3. Before the screening of “A Gift”, Ms. Note Panayanggool, a Thai singer/actress from the film will be performing “a royal composition called “Love at sundown” and will be taking questions from the press after the screening. In addition, there will also be a performance by Thai Students from Malaysian Secondary School in Kajang.

5. The Embassy has also invited students and faculty members in filmmaking and content field from various Malaysian universities to attend the screening of ‘Mr.Hurt” on 20th April 2017, with a special interview session with Mr. Ittisak Eusunthornwattana, director, and Ms. Mashannoad Suvanamas, leading actress.

Check out GSC Cinemas for more information

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is ranked higher than Thailand in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

According to the report released on April 5, Singapore topped the table among the nine nations in South-East Asia with Malaysia second, followed by Thailand and Indonesia.

Globally, Malaysia dropped one spot from 2015 to be placed 26th among 136 countries, although it improved on its overall performance from various indicators by rising from 4.41 points in 2015 to 4.50 in 2017.

The report which is released every two years, said Malaysia’s strong performance was attributed to its price competitiveness, strong air connectivity, and beautiful natural resources.

The WEF report engages leaders in the travel and tourism industry to carry out an in-depth analysis of its industries’ competitiveness of 136 economies that account for over 98% of the world’s GDP.

The index measures a set of “factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector”, which includes international openness, prioritisation of travel and tourism, human resources and labour market, health and hygiene, and safety and security.

The report also said that Malaysia could become more competitive by further prioritising the travel and tourism industry via investing in the development of its cultural resources and business travel.

It added that Malaysia should address environmental sustainability and preserve its beautiful natural environment.

There were more than 25 million tourist arrivals into the country last year, contributing almost RM80bill in inbound receipts, according to the report.

Spain which had a score of 5.43 tops the rankings for the second time due to its unique offering of both cultural and natural resources.

It is followed by France, Germany, Japan and United Kingdom.

The WEF is a Swiss non-profit foundation that engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

– Star Online

Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Muhammad bin Ibrahim and Governor Bank of Thailand, Veerathai Santiprabhob today signed a MoU on banking supervision and financial development cooperation in Cebu Island, Philippines.

KUALA LUMPUR: The central banks of Malaysia and Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the supervision of banks operating in both countries as well as to improve coodination in key areas.

In a joint statement, the central banks of both countries said the MoU served as a solid foundation for effective supervision of the banking institutions operating in both countries, as well as a basis for closer coordination in the areas key to ensuring sustainable financial development.

Bank Negara governor Datuk Muhammad Ibrahim and Bank of Thailand governor Veerathai Santiprabhob signed the MoU on Banking Supervision and Financial Development Cooperation on Thursday.

“To support deepening regional integration and expanding trade and investment linkages between the two countries, cross border banking activities have increasingly significant roles in the financial system. “In recognition of these important financial developments, the MoU reflects enhanced cooperation between the two authorities to ensure financial stability and sustainable financial development,” it said.
The banks added that the MoU also provided a strong basis for further development of effective supervisory systems in accordance with principles set out in the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision.

The MoU outlines various areas of supervisory and developmental cooperation, including cross-border and on-site supervision, market conduct supervision, consumer protection, financial inclusion, financial literacy as well as combatting financial crimes activities.

– Star Online

Looks good: Dr Ahmad Zahid, accompanied by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (second from left), sampling a dish during a tour of the exhibition area after launching the Malaysia International Halal Showcase trade fair in Kuala Lumpur. Looking on is Matrade chairman Datuk Noraini Ahmad (right).

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian companies that sell halal products and services can benefit from the lucrative market offered by China’s Belt and Road trade route, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Companies should seize this opportunity as they can profit from the high growth potential of the halal market in the area, he added.

“We are seeking to tap the growth opportunities arising from the Belt and Road trade routes with China which has some 30 million Muslims with an annual halal market growth of 10%,” he said in his speech at the launch of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) trade fair here yesterday.

Mihas is billed by Matrade, its organiser, as the world’s largest halal trade show.
The event, first held in 2004, generated RM1.14bil in sales last year.

Last year, Malaysia exported RM39.3bil worth of halal goods and services globally, with China, Singapore, the United States and Japan the four biggest importers.
Dr Ahmad Zahid said the halal market was still under-served as the supply of halal products was not matching the growing demand.

“Only a few countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Australia are exporting halal goods. Demand has overwhelmed supply. There is an urgent need to create more halal suppliers in these areas,” he added.
He said a challenge facing the industry was the lack of a single unified halal standard.
“There are now more than 200 bodies issuing their own halal certificates and logos.

“The countries involved should foster mutual recognition of each others’ certification to overcome the problem,” he added.

He also called on Asean member countries to develop the halal industry by creating structured programmes, and an efficient and seamless global supply chain in order to move halal from a niche to a mainstream industry.

– Star Online