TPP targetted to be signed in March 2018



Malaysia has welcomed a breakthrough among trade negotiators of the remaining 11 countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in Tokyo, clearing the way for a revised agreement to be signed in early March 2018
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Moha­med said the free trade agreement, now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), is a high-quality agreement with a combined GDP worth US$11 trillion (RM42.9 trillion), covering a 476 million population and a 15% share of global trade volume.
“The signing of this agreement will be a significant boost to global trade and open doors for Malay­sian companies to expand their presence in the overseas market."
“We expect additional jobs to be created as a result of further investments that will come due to the improved trading and investing environment under the CPTPP. We are satisfied with the outcome of this meeting and our negotiators have once again successfully defended Malaysia’s interests,” Mus­­­ta­pa said in a statement.
The signing of the deal will be done without the United States, which has abandoned it under President Donald Trump.
The CPTPP involves Australia, Bru­­nei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malay­sia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
The agreement will incorporate all commitments from the original TPP, except for a limited number of provisions suspended temporarily and some remaining issues to be finalised.
Mustapa listed four issues, including Malaysia’s request for additional flexibility for the oil and gas sector under state-owned enterprises chapter, which were resolved.
“Malaysia’s request for additional flexibility to conduct preferential purchases for the upstream oil and gas sector will now commence on the date of entry instead of the date of signing."
“The other issues (involving other countries) are market access for the coal industry, trade sanctions related to dispute settlement and exception to cultural industries."
“Before the Tokyo meeting, there were 20 provisions that will be suspended under the CPTPP."
“The suspension would mean that these provisions will not be implemented until all CPTPP mem­ber countries agree to lift this suspension.
“The Tokyo meeting has agreed to add two more suspensions into the list – making it a total of 22 suspensions. One of them was on the additional flexibility for Malaysia in the oil and gas sector, after the relentless pursuit and consistent fight put forth by our negotiating team on this matter. The other one was on market access for Brunei’s coal industry,” the statement added.
According to Japanese media reports, nearly two-dozen stipulations sought by the US in the original TPP deal were shelved after Washington withdrew.

Some members sought easier terms on labour rights and state-owned companies, but it’s unclear how far the changes will go in watering down what was proclaimed by the Obama administration to be a “gold standard” for 21st century trade rules.
Japan’s top trade negotiator, Toshimitsu Motegi, said he hoped to expand the membership of the TPP and encourage a US return to the pact.
/theSTAR 25-01-2018
 
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Compulsory Licensing: Hepatitis C



The international community acknowledged Malaysia for being the first nation to invoke compulsory licensing allowing hepatitis C patients to gain access to affordable medicine.
The country was awarded the Leadership Award in Intellectual Property and Access to Medicines.
The Government received the award at the Global Summit of Intellectual Property and Access to Medicines in Morocco on Monday, said Health Director General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
“A pride to the nation. Malaysia is a trailblazer when it comes to access to medicine for hepatitis C. Congra­tulations to Dr Salmah Bahri and team,” he said.
The summit was organised by the International Treatment Prepared­ness Coalition (ITPC).
It brings together community representatives, governments, civil society, academics, experts and international agencies to look at the impact of international trade rules on public health.
It also highlighted the role of NGOs and patients in the implementation flexibilities of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS).
In July, The Star carried a front page story highlighting the plight of about 400,000 Malaysians who suffered from hepatitis C, with only a fraction of whom can afford the medication that can cost up to RM300,000 for the full course of treatment.
Malaysia is not given special prices for the newer drugs by pharmaceutical companies because it is considered a middle-income country.
The Health Ministry has teamed up with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Institute to come up with an affordable cure.
In the meantime, patients have to fork out huge sums for medication, try to get into clinical trials for other potential cures or seek treatment in other countries.
Subsequently, the Cabinet gave approval to issue a government-use licence to enable the import of generic versions of the hepatitis C drug Sofosbuvir.
Even if medicine is patented for 20 years, the Government has the right to issue compulsory licensing under the rights, flexibilities and safeguards vested to World Trade Organisation members by the agreement on TRIPS.
Governments can issue a compulsory licence to authorise a local import company to bring in the generic drug or to manufacture it itself by a local generic company.
The government-use licence is only applied for drugs to be used in government health facilities.
The Patents Act comes under the purview of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (known as MyIPO) of the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

 /theSTAR 18-01-2018


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Caring Pharmacy - Foreign interest?



Bhd, the local pharmaceutical retail chain with 110 outlets in the country, is said to have attracted the interest of a South Korean foreign equity firm.
Sources said the private equity firm that has interest primarily in companies with a specialised retail chain was keen on taking up a substantial block of shares in Caring Phamarcy.
“What Caring Pharmacy offers is its 110 outlets, growing presence in the most populated areas in Peninsular Malaysia and principal rights to distribute some pharmaceutical and personalised healthcare products,” said a source.
Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM17.79mil on the back of turnover of RM460mil for the financial year ended May 31, 2017. The profit was an improvement of 50% compared to the RM8.55mil recorded in the corresponding period last year.
In the first quarter this year, Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM4.33 mil, which is a vast improvement compared to the RM1.1 mil recorded last year.
The company attributed the growth in its bottom line to the increase in same-store sales from its existing chain of outlets.
Caring Pharmacy is a retail chain established in 1994 by five pharmacists from Universiti Sains Malaysia. It is the fastest-growing pharmaceutical retail chain and expected to open between 10 and 12 stores in 2018.
It is not known if the South Korean private equity arm is looking at buying new equity or taking up some existing shares.
The entry of a private equity fund into Caring Pharmacy should strengthen its existing portfolio of shareholders.
The major shareholder of Caring Pharmacy is Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd that owns 50.35% equity interest in the pharmacy chain. The shareholders of Motivasi Optima are Chan Yew Siang, Soo Chan Chiew, Tan Lee Boon and Ang Khoon Lim.
The second largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Bhd with 12.76% stake.
Berjaya Group’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan used to be a substantial shareholder through Jitumaju Sdn Bhd. However, Jitumaju ceased to be a substantial shareholder in February this year.
“If the South Korean firm takes up a substantial stake in Caring Pharmarcy, it will lend credence to its ability to attract shareholders with a medium to long-term approach to the company,” said an industry source.
On the local scene, Caring Pharmacy is fast catching up to its peers by adopting an active approach in maximising the locations of its stores compared to its competitors that have a larger chain of stores.
For instance, in the financial year ended May 2017, it closed eight underperforming outlets and opened a similar number in other locations. It also relocated one of its stores.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/01/02/caring-pharmacy-draws-interest/#xcCOJzPVhwi72ScJ.99
Bhd, the local pharmaceutical retail chain with 110 outlets in the country, is said to have attracted the interest of a South Korean foreign equity firm.
Sources said the private equity firm that has interest primarily in companies with a specialised retail chain was keen on taking up a substantial block of shares in Caring Phamarcy.
“What Caring Pharmacy offers is its 110 outlets, growing presence in the most populated areas in Peninsular Malaysia and principal rights to distribute some pharmaceutical and personalised healthcare products,” said a source.
Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM17.79mil on the back of turnover of RM460mil for the financial year ended May 31, 2017. The profit was an improvement of 50% compared to the RM8.55mil recorded in the corresponding period last year.
In the first quarter this year, Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM4.33 mil, which is a vast improvement compared to the RM1.1 mil recorded last year.
The company attributed the growth in its bottom line to the increase in same-store sales from its existing chain of outlets.
Caring Pharmacy is a retail chain established in 1994 by five pharmacists from Universiti Sains Malaysia. It is the fastest-growing pharmaceutical retail chain and expected to open between 10 and 12 stores in 2018.
It is not known if the South Korean private equity arm is looking at buying new equity or taking up some existing shares.
The entry of a private equity fund into Caring Pharmacy should strengthen its existing portfolio of shareholders.
The major shareholder of Caring Pharmacy is Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd that owns 50.35% equity interest in the pharmacy chain. The shareholders of Motivasi Optima are Chan Yew Siang, Soo Chan Chiew, Tan Lee Boon and Ang Khoon Lim.
The second largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Bhd with 12.76% stake.
Berjaya Group’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan used to be a substantial shareholder through Jitumaju Sdn Bhd. However, Jitumaju ceased to be a substantial shareholder in February this year.
“If the South Korean firm takes up a substantial stake in Caring Pharmarcy, it will lend credence to its ability to attract shareholders with a medium to long-term approach to the company,” said an industry source.
On the local scene, Caring Pharmacy is fast catching up to its peers by adopting an active approach in maximising the locations of its stores compared to its competitors that have a larger chain of stores.
For instance, in the financial year ended May 2017, it closed eight underperforming outlets and opened a similar number in other locations. It also relocated one of its stores.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/01/02/caring-pharmacy-draws-interest/#xcCOJzPVhwi72ScJ.99
Caring Pharmacy Group Bhd, the local pharmaceutical retail chain with 110 outlets in Malaysia, had attracted the attention of a South Korean foreign equity firm with interest in specialised retail chain.

“What Caring Pharmacy offers is its 110 outlets, growing presence in the most populated areas in Peninsular Malaysia and principal rights to distribute some pharmaceutical and personalised healthcare products,” said a source.


Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM 17.79 mil on a turnover of RM 460 mil for the financial year ended May 31, 2017. The profit was an improvement of 50% compared to the RM 8.55 mil recorded in the corresponding period last year.

In the first quarter this year, Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM 4.33 mil, which is a vast improvement compared to the RM 1.1 mil recorded last year.

The company attributed the growth in its bottom line to the increase in same-store sales from its existing chain of outlets.

Caring Pharmacy is a retail chain established in 1994 by five pharmacists from Universiti Sains Malaysia. It is the fastest-growing pharmaceutical retail chain and expected to open between 10 and 12 stores in 2018.

It is not known if the South Korean private equity arm is looking at buying new equity or taking up some existing shares.

The entry of a private equity fund into Caring Pharmacy should strengthen its existing portfolio of shareholders.

The major shareholder of Caring Pharmacy is Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd that owns 50.35% equity interest in the pharmacy chain. The shareholders of Motivasi Optima are Chan Yew Siang, Soo Chan Chiew, Tan Lee Boon and Ang Khoon Lim.

The second largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Bhd with 12.76% stake.

Berjaya Group’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan used to be a substantial shareholder through Jitumaju Sdn Bhd. However, Jitumaju ceased to be a substantial shareholder in February, 2017

“If the South Korean firm takes up a substantial stake in Caring Pharmarcy, it will lend credence to its ability to attract shareholders with a medium to long-term approach to the company,” said an industry source.

On the local scene, Caring Pharmacy is fast catching up to its peers by adopting an active approach in maximising the locations of its stores compared to its competitors that have a larger chain of stores.
For instance, in the financial year ended May 2017, it closed eight under performing outlets and opened a similar number in other locations. It also relocated one of its stores.

/theSTAR 02-01-2018
Bhd, the local pharmaceutical retail chain with 110 outlets in the country, is said to have attracted the interest of a South Korean foreign equity firm.
Sources said the private equity firm that has interest primarily in companies with a specialised retail chain was keen on taking up a substantial block of shares in Caring Phamarcy.
“What Caring Pharmacy offers is its 110 outlets, growing presence in the most populated areas in Peninsular Malaysia and principal rights to distribute some pharmaceutical and personalised healthcare products,” said a source.
Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM17.79mil on the back of turnover of RM460mil for the financial year ended May 31, 2017. The profit was an improvement of 50% compared to the RM8.55mil recorded in the corresponding period last year.
In the first quarter this year, Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM4.33 mil, which is a vast improvement compared to the RM1.1 mil recorded last year.
The company attributed the growth in its bottom line to the increase in same-store sales from its existing chain of outlets.
Caring Pharmacy is a retail chain established in 1994 by five pharmacists from Universiti Sains Malaysia. It is the fastest-growing pharmaceutical retail chain and expected to open between 10 and 12 stores in 2018.
It is not known if the South Korean private equity arm is looking at buying new equity or taking up some existing shares.
The entry of a private equity fund into Caring Pharmacy should strengthen its existing portfolio of shareholders.
The major shareholder of Caring Pharmacy is Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd that owns 50.35% equity interest in the pharmacy chain. The shareholders of Motivasi Optima are Chan Yew Siang, Soo Chan Chiew, Tan Lee Boon and Ang Khoon Lim.
The second largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Bhd with 12.76% stake.
Berjaya Group’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan used to be a substantial shareholder through Jitumaju Sdn Bhd. However, Jitumaju ceased to be a substantial shareholder in February this year.
“If the South Korean firm takes up a substantial stake in Caring Pharmarcy, it will lend credence to its ability to attract shareholders with a medium to long-term approach to the company,” said an industry source.
On the local scene, Caring Pharmacy is fast catching up to its peers by adopting an active approach in maximising the locations of its stores compared to its competitors that have a larger chain of stores.
For instance, in the financial year ended May 2017, it closed eight underperforming outlets and opened a similar number in other locations. It also relocated one of its stores.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/01/02/caring-pharmacy-draws-interest/#dcPr8CMfLlVhqe05.99
Bhd, the local pharmaceutical retail chain with 110 outlets in the country, is said to have attracted the interest of a South Korean foreign equity firm.
Sources said the private equity firm that has interest primarily in companies with a specialised retail chain was keen on taking up a substantial block of shares in Caring Phamarcy.
“What Caring Pharmacy offers is its 110 outlets, growing presence in the most populated areas in Peninsular Malaysia and principal rights to distribute some pharmaceutical and personalised healthcare products,” said a source.
Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM17.79mil on the back of turnover of RM460mil for the financial year ended May 31, 2017. The profit was an improvement of 50% compared to the RM8.55mil recorded in the corresponding period last year.
In the first quarter this year, Caring Pharmacy recorded a profit after tax of RM4.33 mil, which is a vast improvement compared to the RM1.1 mil recorded last year.
The company attributed the growth in its bottom line to the increase in same-store sales from its existing chain of outlets.
Caring Pharmacy is a retail chain established in 1994 by five pharmacists from Universiti Sains Malaysia. It is the fastest-growing pharmaceutical retail chain and expected to open between 10 and 12 stores in 2018.
It is not known if the South Korean private equity arm is looking at buying new equity or taking up some existing shares.
The entry of a private equity fund into Caring Pharmacy should strengthen its existing portfolio of shareholders.
The major shareholder of Caring Pharmacy is Motivasi Optima Sdn Bhd that owns 50.35% equity interest in the pharmacy chain. The shareholders of Motivasi Optima are Chan Yew Siang, Soo Chan Chiew, Tan Lee Boon and Ang Khoon Lim.
The second largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Bhd with 12.76% stake.
Berjaya Group’s Tan Sri Vincent Tan used to be a substantial shareholder through Jitumaju Sdn Bhd. However, Jitumaju ceased to be a substantial shareholder in February this year.
“If the South Korean firm takes up a substantial stake in Caring Pharmarcy, it will lend credence to its ability to attract shareholders with a medium to long-term approach to the company,” said an industry source.
On the local scene, Caring Pharmacy is fast catching up to its peers by adopting an active approach in maximising the locations of its stores compared to its competitors that have a larger chain of stores.
For instance, in the financial year ended May 2017, it closed eight underperforming outlets and opened a similar number in other locations. It also relocated one of its stores.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/01/02/caring-pharmacy-draws-interest/#dcPr8CMfLlVhqe05.99

Disclaimer: Views or opinions expressed are solely those of the Author and should be used with discretion. The Author shall not be held liable for any acts or omissions arising from the use of the information. The user will be personally liable for any damages or other liability arising hereof.

Post a Comment