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The world’s leading mobile-phone manufacturer, Apple Inc, plans to invest up to US$1 billion (Bt35 billion) to build an Asia-focused database centre in Vietnam, according to local media.
The new facility would operate as a research and development centre of the company. It would be the first project Apple has ever initiated in Vietnam.
The project is still in the planning stage. Apple is considering locations for the facility, possibly in Hanoi, according to baodautu.vn.
The US technology giant hinted at its increasing interest in the Vietnamese market when it established a wholly owned subsidiary, Apple Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City last October. The subsidiary is headed by Gene Daniel Levoff, Apple’s vice president for corporate law and corporate governance, who is also in charge of Apple’s international operations.
Apple recently announced vacancies for both an iPhone distribution director and iOS retail director in Vietnam, fanning hopes that the US multinational will soon open stores in the country. – Viet Nam News

Malaysian companies invest Bt98 bn in Asean

Some 1,500 Malaysian companies have investments totalling 11.46 billion ringgit (about Bt98 billion) in Asean, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.
“Malaysia is among the main investors in Asean, with our firms investing widely in banking, commodities, hotels and tourism, aviation, manufacturing, and utilities and infrastructure.
“Intra-Asean investments have also increased,” the prime minister said in reply to an MP.
Najib noted that the inflow of investments into Asean stood at 562.42 billion ringgit in 2014, more than that of China at 529.34 billion ringgit.
On the formation of the Asean Economic Community, Najib said the objective was to see the creation of a single market covering a population of 625 million.
Malaysia, Najib added, is committed to seeing the integration of Asean economies with the abolition of import duties and the liberalisation of the service sector. – The Star

Creador enters Malaysia
Private equity firm Creador is allocating 100 million ringgit (Bt854 million) in its venture into Malaysia’s pharmacy retail business through RedCap Pharmacy.
Brahmal Vasudevan, founder and CEO of Creador, on Tuesday unveiled plans to grow the chain into a major national player.
He said that as Malaysian consumers became more sophisticated, there would be increasing healthcare needs and retail pharmacies would play an important role serving this need.
“Based on our estimates, the Malaysian pharmacy space is still fairly under-penetrated. Creador sees an exciting opportunity for us to invest in and create a modern retail pharmacy offering world-class experience for our customers. We have set aside 100 million ringgit to support RedCap’s growth,” he said.
In Phase 1, Creador acquired D’Apotic Pharmacy last April as the platform to grow this investment.
For Phase 2, Creador teamed up with Ian Cruddas, who was instrumental in building out some of the large retail chains in Malaysia. – The Star