It has been said that education levels dictate the economy power of a country. Through RAM, The World Bank presented a paper on such a concept. Very compelling and proves that education is a long term investment.
Showing posts with label Business Economic and Finance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business Economic and Finance. Show all posts
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Attended a World Bank Seminar on Education and Economic Growth organised by RAM
It has been said that education levels dictate the economy power of a country. Through RAM, The World Bank presented a paper on such a concept. Very compelling and proves that education is a long term investment.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Total renovation of the office space: Contractor interview; Part 01
Well, after so many years using the same furniture and fittings, it is time to refresh the office. We spent quite a sum of money for the IT refresh a couple of years ago and it is time to make the working environment more modern and livelier.
Preparing a complete renovation of an office space takes a lot of planning. Unlike home renovation, it would be best to have a professional project manager lead the exercise. To get the main contractor, an open tender should be conducted so as to allay fears of favoritism or even worst - corruption.
Below is a picture of a contractor interview that was conducted where we can query every aspect of the tender that was submitted.
Preparing a complete renovation of an office space takes a lot of planning. Unlike home renovation, it would be best to have a professional project manager lead the exercise. To get the main contractor, an open tender should be conducted so as to allay fears of favoritism or even worst - corruption.
Below is a picture of a contractor interview that was conducted where we can query every aspect of the tender that was submitted.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Lego shop in Bangsar Village II
One of the only few pure Lego shops in Malaysia. Lego should invest more in Malaysia. I can almost guarantee demand will be strong.
Friday, June 27, 2014
An old watch shop in a small town in Malaysia
This scene will be gone soon. Picture taken by a friend of mine in a small town in Malaysia shows an old woman managing an old watch shop.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Rule of thumb to use when setting a budget to get a watch
Here is a simple rule to follow is you want to budget for a watch. More often or not, a difficult rule to follow :)
Friday, April 11, 2014
Bucharest, Romania - Introducing the bond valaution concept at a World Bank conference and proud to know Malaysia has something unique to share with a lot of developing economies - Part 07
Continuation from Bucharest, Romania - Interesting find as part of the hotel room tidbits - Part 06
The Romanian Banking Institute is situated about 20 minutes walk away from the hotel. Here is where ongoing training of banking professionals in Romania are usually held.
On the third and final day of the conference was my turn to take to the podium to share the Malaysian bond market as well as the aspects of valuation experience in the last 10 years. This was the most liveliest moment of the conference as a lot of developing countries from Europe, Africa and Latin America have not had such concepts introduced into their respective jurisdictions. Questions came thick and fast.
Quite proud to know that Malaysians do have another working idea to share with the developing world and I am in the thick of it.
Another interesting fact about Romania: for the four days I was there, all mineral water comes from glass bottles. I don't see plastic bottle anywhere.
The picture below was taken when I set down after my presentation for the questions and answers session. Too embarrassed to take a good photo so I took this subtle/sneak picture.
A question being asked by a representative of an Eastern European Central Banker (I believe from Poland).
Its noon-time in Bucharest (I've yet to change the Malaysian time on my watch - Romania is 6 hours behind Malaysia). My session has just ended. Time for lunch!
To be continued.
The Romanian Banking Institute is situated about 20 minutes walk away from the hotel. Here is where ongoing training of banking professionals in Romania are usually held.
On the third and final day of the conference was my turn to take to the podium to share the Malaysian bond market as well as the aspects of valuation experience in the last 10 years. This was the most liveliest moment of the conference as a lot of developing countries from Europe, Africa and Latin America have not had such concepts introduced into their respective jurisdictions. Questions came thick and fast.
Quite proud to know that Malaysians do have another working idea to share with the developing world and I am in the thick of it.
Another interesting fact about Romania: for the four days I was there, all mineral water comes from glass bottles. I don't see plastic bottle anywhere.
The picture below was taken when I set down after my presentation for the questions and answers session. Too embarrassed to take a good photo so I took this subtle/sneak picture.
A question being asked by a representative of an Eastern European Central Banker (I believe from Poland).
Its noon-time in Bucharest (I've yet to change the Malaysian time on my watch - Romania is 6 hours behind Malaysia). My session has just ended. Time for lunch!
To be continued.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
In a very purple-like ballroom at the Loft Hotel, KL Sentral
Was at an economic briefing at the The Loft Hotel, KL Sentral a week ago. Very purple-like ballroom.
Dragon dance show.
Nearly the end of the briefing.
Dragon dance show.
Nearly the end of the briefing.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Tokyo Trip: 02 - Arriving in Tokyo and the shuttle from Narita Airport to the Prince Hotel Tokyo
Please refer to the previous posting.
I arrived in Tokyo in the early morning of 24 July 2013. Weather was wet and very humid. As we were approaching Narita Airport, low flying clouds covered the ground.
The cost of Japan see through the break in the clouds.
Despite Japan being an industrialized nation, it is still very much covered with farmland. Around Narita Airport, you can see cultivated fields.
Landed safely and immediately you can see the misty condition at that time.
The airline next to our gate was China Eastern.
The gantry operator maneuvering the walkaway towards the door of the plane. By the way, in case you were wondering, I flew with MAS.
The airport terminal was already full of people.
After buying a bus ticket, I proceeded to the allocated waiting area for the bus.
This is my first time to Japan and I am already impressed with the cleanliness and the systematic way public transport was organised.
In the bus. In Japan, bus passengers are required to wear seat belts.
Saw some cars at one of the car parks in the airport. I bet some of those cars will be destined to be reconditioned and shipped to Malaysia in the very near future.
The carpark design is very American. Provision for doors to swing open can clearly be seen in the photo below.
Crossing one of many rivers that pours out to Tokyo Bay.
The bus was relatively empty.
Good thing the roads signs have English translation as well.
The rain started. Wet but one brave soul still driving along with his car roof still tucked away.
Starting to enter the populated area. Buildings started to appear.
The city is still green with loads to trees.
The city of 20 million. Bustling and packed with low rise buildings.
As it lies on an active fault-line, Tokyo couldn't build many highrise.
Unfortunately, that means all the low rise buildings had to be built very close to each other.
Below is a typical housing flat.
Traffic into Tokyo during rush-hour is not that bad actually. Much smoother compared to Kuala Lumpur. This can only be explained by the extensive public transport system that practically everyone uses.
The business district.
A very ingenious way to greening a building. Plant trees on the facade of the building.
Passed the Imperial Palace and Park complex.
The ancient wall that surrounds the Imperial Palace grounds.
A typical junction.
Honestly, I was surprised by the lack of cars on the road during rush hour.
Turning into the hotel. The Tokyo Tower is directly behind the hotel.
To be continued.
I arrived in Tokyo in the early morning of 24 July 2013. Weather was wet and very humid. As we were approaching Narita Airport, low flying clouds covered the ground.
The cost of Japan see through the break in the clouds.
Despite Japan being an industrialized nation, it is still very much covered with farmland. Around Narita Airport, you can see cultivated fields.
Landed safely and immediately you can see the misty condition at that time.
The airline next to our gate was China Eastern.
The gantry operator maneuvering the walkaway towards the door of the plane. By the way, in case you were wondering, I flew with MAS.
The airport terminal was already full of people.
After buying a bus ticket, I proceeded to the allocated waiting area for the bus.
This is my first time to Japan and I am already impressed with the cleanliness and the systematic way public transport was organised.
In the bus. In Japan, bus passengers are required to wear seat belts.
Saw some cars at one of the car parks in the airport. I bet some of those cars will be destined to be reconditioned and shipped to Malaysia in the very near future.
The carpark design is very American. Provision for doors to swing open can clearly be seen in the photo below.
Crossing one of many rivers that pours out to Tokyo Bay.
The bus was relatively empty.
Good thing the roads signs have English translation as well.
The rain started. Wet but one brave soul still driving along with his car roof still tucked away.
Starting to enter the populated area. Buildings started to appear.
The city is still green with loads to trees.
The city of 20 million. Bustling and packed with low rise buildings.
As it lies on an active fault-line, Tokyo couldn't build many highrise.
Unfortunately, that means all the low rise buildings had to be built very close to each other.
Below is a typical housing flat.
Traffic into Tokyo during rush-hour is not that bad actually. Much smoother compared to Kuala Lumpur. This can only be explained by the extensive public transport system that practically everyone uses.
The business district.
A very ingenious way to greening a building. Plant trees on the facade of the building.
Passed the Imperial Palace and Park complex.
The ancient wall that surrounds the Imperial Palace grounds.
A typical junction.
Honestly, I was surprised by the lack of cars on the road during rush hour.
Turning into the hotel. The Tokyo Tower is directly behind the hotel.
To be continued.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The yield of my solar power plant since it went live - go green power!!!
Below is a snapshot of the energy generated from my solar power plant which I installed on top of my roof in Putrajaya. On 22 May 2013, I was able to pump in 32.89 kWh of energy into the national grid.
The snapshot below shows the yield of my power plant since it went live this year. I was able to generate 4.88 MWh of energy into the national power grid.
Note the sophistication of the system that one can employ even in a home environment. Wireless access to the plant using the mobile network. Taking a step back, I am actually amazed with the technology currently available now. Can you imagine how it would be like in 5 years time?
The snapshot below shows the yield of my power plant since it went live this year. I was able to generate 4.88 MWh of energy into the national power grid.
Note the sophistication of the system that one can employ even in a home environment. Wireless access to the plant using the mobile network. Taking a step back, I am actually amazed with the technology currently available now. Can you imagine how it would be like in 5 years time?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Business trip to Jakarta, March 2013
Had to go to Jakarta for a couple of days for meetings. This time flew by KLM so, I can't check in immediately at KL Sentral. As I will be lugging my bag around, I took a small one this time around.
Waiting at the ERL platform. Free wifi, which is always nice.
Afternoon flight so the train was not full at all. I guess, I was the only one in my coach.
After checking in, another train ride to the main terminal - Terminal C.
The B777 of KLM that I would be using. Weather was overcast with occasional showers.
Self-portrait.
Economy class.
Stayed at Novotel Hotel in Jakarta, the one close to Plaza Indonesia. A small room but has everything. Was told that this was originally the Nikko Hotel.
First evening went to old Jakarta to this old colonial restaurant called the Batavia situated in the old Dutch Governor's mansion.
What they serve. The menu is actually the pictures hung on the wall. Every picture has a menu printed at the back.
The front of my menu.
Next day, dressed for work.
Fighting the Jakarta traffic.
A very quiet corridor of a building in Jakarta.
Meeting room in one of the company I visited.
Jakarta city from the highway.
Pool area of the hotel.
Gazebos.
The pool. Pity it is not secluded from the other buildings.
Part of the Plaza Indonesia mall as seen from my room.
Another view of the same.
Waiting at the ERL platform. Free wifi, which is always nice.
Afternoon flight so the train was not full at all. I guess, I was the only one in my coach.
After checking in, another train ride to the main terminal - Terminal C.
The B777 of KLM that I would be using. Weather was overcast with occasional showers.
Self-portrait.
Economy class.
Stayed at Novotel Hotel in Jakarta, the one close to Plaza Indonesia. A small room but has everything. Was told that this was originally the Nikko Hotel.
First evening went to old Jakarta to this old colonial restaurant called the Batavia situated in the old Dutch Governor's mansion.
What they serve. The menu is actually the pictures hung on the wall. Every picture has a menu printed at the back.
The front of my menu.
Next day, dressed for work.
Fighting the Jakarta traffic.
A very quiet corridor of a building in Jakarta.
Meeting room in one of the company I visited.
Jakarta city from the highway.
Pool area of the hotel.
Gazebos.
The pool. Pity it is not secluded from the other buildings.
Part of the Plaza Indonesia mall as seen from my room.
Another view of the same.
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