MDV funds Codemasters Studios’ Colin McRae: DiRT 2

RM36 million funding for the development of the contemporary rally racing game

KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, 6 January 2009: Reinforcing its commitment to develop emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Biotechnology and high growth sectors, Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance, Inc. today signed an agreement with Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd for the development of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (DiRT 2), a sequel to the very successful DiRT which sold 1.3 million units worldwide.

The second funding of RM36 million from MDV is for the tenure of 16 months and will be utilised to develop DiRT 2, which features a variety of rally racing styles that expose players in aggressive multi-car and intense solo races in environments such as canyon racing, jungle trails and city stadium based events. While DiRT featured a variety of rally styles and real motor sport locations around the world, DiRT 2 will provide players with contemporary off-road events at the most diverse and challenging real-world settings. DiRT 2’s garage houses a best-in-class collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles to deliver aggressive and fast paced racing.

Furthermore, DiRT 2 differs from the average racing games, for it is powered by the third generation EGO Engine award winning game technology, benefitting it with tune-up car handling physics system and new damaged engine effects. DiRT 2 also offers an improved and advanced level of visual fidelity which makes the visuals twice more detailed than those seen on Racedriver GRID (GRID).

The signing marks the second partnership between MDV and Codemasters Studios. The first being the RM44 million for the development of the first-ever Malaysian made computer game entitled the GRID which was launched last year. GRID was the first new-generation console and triple-A rated game ever produced in Malaysia.

Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MDV said that the partnership with Codemasters Studios is yet another development which is part of MDV’s efforts to nurture and develop local talents.

“As a financier and development facilitator of ICT, Biotechnology and other high-growth sectors, MDV is proud to be able to finance and be an active contributor to Codemasters Studios’ advancements. We are not only looking at assisting the content industry but also the local market in terms of creating job opportunities, especially in the current time,” added Zubir.

“Having grown rapidly from a team of only 30 people in 2006 to 76 people currently, we plan to increase our staff strength to 100 in the next 12 months. DiRT 2 is one of our biggest projects after the success of GRID, which was Malaysia’s first locally designed computer game,” said Maxime Villandre, General Manager of Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd.

Villandre also said that the knowledge and technology transfer has developed local talents. From specialising in animation, Codemasters Studios has now expanded its expertise to include programming, a more advanced technique in game development.

Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd was established in 2006 to meet the demands of the promising gaming industry. Codemasters Studios is a joint-venture between Codemasters UK Ltd, Europe’s largest independent developer and publisher of visdeo games and Vision New Media Sdn Bhd. Codemasters Studios, Malaysia is the only foreign operation for Codemasters UK.

“Moving forward, built upon the foundation of the knowledge, technology and skill transfer, Codemasters Studios subsequently intends to expand its capacity to provide game development services to other international game developers and eventually become an independent quality game developer,” added Villandre.

Representatives at the signing ceremony were Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of MDV; Simon Parsons, Group Chief Finance Officer of Codemasters Studios; and Maxime Villandre, General Manager of Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd.
“We are pleased with the progress made by Codemasters Studios, our only operation outside of the UK. The commitment and dedication of the Malaysian team is evident from the quality work produced - GRID being a good example, the team expansion and the progress made in games development. We hope to further expand the Malaysian operations and maybe emulate this successful model in another country,” said Parsons.

MDV hosts 3rd Business & Technology Speakers’ Series

Themed ‘Broadband – Delivering Convergence, Enabling Society’

13 November 2008 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance Inc, hosted the third Business & Technology Speakers’ Series (B&T Speakers’ Series) themed ‘Broadband - Delivering Convergence, Enabling Society’ on the 11 November 2008. The B&T Speakers’ Series is MDV’s innovation to create a platform for industry leaders and players to network as well as exchange ideas and insights, thus fulfilling MDV’s role as a development facilitator for Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Mr Nitin Bhat, Senior Vice President for ICT Group, Asia Pacific, Frost and Sullivan gave the outlook and perspectives in broadband penetration in Malaysia, which stood at 15 per cent for first quarter 2008. He also highlighted the Government’s aim to increase broadband penetration by 50 per cent by year 2010.

(from left to right): C.J. Ang, President of Pikom; Dr Zakaria Abd. Hadi, Director, Electronic Government Development Division, MAMPU; and Sharil Tarmizi, Chief Operating Officer, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) during the forum.

Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahya, MDV managing director and chief executive officer said, “Broadband is an essential technology catalyst to further propel the country’s development. Participation by small, medium enterprises (SMEs) is crucial especially in improving their business processes and we look forward to a more competitive broadband environment which will benefit the end users.”

B&T Speakers’ Series was attended by prominent ICT industry leaders who formed two panels for the speakers’ forum. Dr Mohamed Awang Lah, CEO, Jaring Communications Sdn Bhd; Ganesh Kumar Bangah, CEO, MOL AccessPortal Bhd; Yow Lock Sen, Director at MyICMS, Technology & Standards Division, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC); and Afzal Abdul Rahim, Chairman, Communications and Multimedia Licensees’ Association discussed the issues of broadband infrastructure, accessibility, incentives for service providers and the development of the internet ecosystem.

Meanwhile Mr Nitin Bhat; C.J. Ang, President of Pikom; Dr Zakaria Abd. Hadi, Director, Electronic Government Development Division, MAMPU; and Sharil Tarmizi, Chief Operating Officer, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) talked about the factors and measures required to enable a digitally-aware society.

B&T Speakers’ Series is an annual knowledge sharing session organised by MDV with the aim to enhance industry knowledge for ICT players. “At MDV we go beyond financing accessibility. We provide advisory services to customers in their respective industries which is in line with the government’s objective to move Malaysia up the ICT and Biotechnology value chain,” said Encik Md Zubir further.

MDV was set up in 2002 to help finance companies in fast-developing sectors such as ICT. Since its inception, it has approved loans amounting to RM3.5 billion to more than 250 companies, mostly SMEs. MDV employs a loan process model made simple for borrowers, taking no more than 45 working days from the date of submission of completed documents.

MDV Launches RM1.5 billion Islamic-sourced Second Fund

Second Fund will expand MDV’s financing offering to technopreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, 14 October 2008: Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance Inc, today launched its RM1.5 billion Second Fund. With the second fund, MDV is able to provide information communication technology (ICT) and biotechnology customers with an alternative to its existing conventional financing - Shariah-compliant financing programme for their growth and development.

MDV’s second fund will be domestically sourced and raised via a RM1.5 billion Islamic Medium Term Notes (Islamic MTN) Programme. CIMB Investment Bank Berhad is the lead arranger and Shariah adviser, and together with Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and RHB Investment Bank Berhad, are the joint lead managers.

Officiated by Minister of Finance II, YB Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, the launch further strengthen the Malaysian government’s commitment to establish the country as an Islamic Financing hub in the region.

The launch of MDV’s Second Fund is another initiative by the company to further develop the ICT, biotechnology and other high-growth sectors in Malaysia.

Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MDV, said the launch is a significant milestone for MDV as it reflects the Government’s endorsement and confidence in the way MDV has managed the first fund.

“The Second Fund launch will also enhance MDV’s revenue channels as well as meet customer demand for Islamic facilities.”

“Increasing awareness of the socio-economic benefits of Islamic financing in the market has encouraged us to proceed with the launch of this Islamic fund. We know that it will be embraced by technopreneurs in the ICT, biotechnology and other high growth sectors as an appropriate alternative to conventional financing,” Zubir said.

Zubir also added that with the second fund, MDV will create new and relevant Shariah-compliant products and services, expanding MDV customers’ financing options to meet their growth requirements. “And this is in line with the government’s effort to move Malaysia up the value chain and the mandate given to us as a catalyst of growth,” he concluded.

MDV was set up in 2002 to help finance companies in fast-developing sectors such as ICT. Since its inception, it has approved loans amounting to RM3.5 billion to more than 250 companies, mostly SMEs, from its initial fund of RM 1.6 billion from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). This year, MDV has also expanded its portfolio by venturing into the biotechnology sector by setting up the Biotechnology Financing Programme.

MDV employs a loan process model made simple for borrowers, taking no more than 45 working days from the date of submission of completed documents. For small project financing, the process is reduced to 14 working days. The company accepts soft collaterals, such as director’s guarantee, assignment of contract proceeds and debentures instead of hard asset collaterals. MDV goes beyond financial accessibility by providing advisory services to customers in their respective industries.

创投基金推出第二项总值15令吉的亿伊斯兰集资基金

第二项基金对像是扩大对资讯科技企业的融资

吉隆坡2008年10月14日讯－财政部独资子公司马来西亚创投有限公司（Malaysia Debt Ventures，MDV）今天推出第二项总值15亿令吉的基金。第二项基金提供资讯科技和生物科技顾客除了传统的融资以外，多一个融资选择。这个根据Syariah法的融资计划是为了融资有关的业务成长和扩充。

创投的第二项基金是通过回教中期票据（Islamic Medium Term Notes, MTN），并从国内集资。联昌投资银行有限公司将是主导安排者，马来西亚回教银行和兴业投资银行则是联合安排经理人。

这项由第二财长丹斯里莫哈末耶谷主持推介仪式的基金将进一步加强马来西亚政府要建立我国成为本区域伊斯兰融资中心的承诺。

创投公司推出第二项基金是要进一步开发马来西亚的资讯科技、生物科技和其它高效成长领域的一项主动。

创投首席执行员兼董事经理因仄末祖比安素里耶哈也说：“上述推介是创投的一个重大里程碑，因为它反映公司管理第一项基金获得政府的认同及信心。

他说：“推出第二项基金将提高创投的收益不源，及迎合顾客对伊斯兰教设施的要求。”

祖比说：“市场上对伊斯兰融资给社会经济带来的好处醒觉的增加，鼓励我们推出这项伊斯兰融资计划。我们知道它将成为资讯科技，生物科技和其它高效成长领域传统以外的适当融资选择。”

祖比尔也指出，创投将在第二项基金中创造新和相关的Syariah条规的产品和服务及扩大创投顾客的融资选择以符合他们的成长要求。这是把我们做为成长催化剂，以符合政府把马来西亚推向价值连的使命。”

创投是在2002年成立，以融资快速成长的领域，如资讯科技。自从它创立以来，已经批准了总共35亿令吉的贷款给超过250家公司，而其中主要是中小型企业。它的起步资金是来自日本国际合作银行（JBIC）的16亿令吉。今年，创投扩大它的融资范围到生物科技，并设立生物科技融资计划。

创投采用简单的贷款程序。完整文件呈上45个工作日内就会获得批准。至于小额贷款，过程则减少到14个工作日。公司接受软抵押而非固定资产，如公司董事担保、合约工程收益委托或信用债券。 除了融资，创投还为各种领域的顾客提供咨询服务。

MDV Partners Codemasters Studios to Launch Malaysia’s First Locally Designed Computer Game

(From L-R) Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of MDV and Maxime Villandre, General Manager of Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd during the launch.

KUALA LUMPUR, Wednesday, 11 June 2008: Reinforcing its commitment to develop emerging ICT and high growth sectors, Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (“MDV”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minister of Finance, Inc. partnered Codemasters Studios to launch the first-ever Malaysian-made computer game.

Entitled Racedriver GRID, the game is designed for racing enthusiasts and is available on the PC as well as PS3 and Xbox 360 gaming consoles. It is the first new-generation console and triple A rated game produced in the country.

Encik Md Zubir Ansori Yahaya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MDV stated that MDV is proud to partner Codemasters Studios and to play a major contributive role in a historic milestone for the Malaysian gaming industry.

“As a financier and development facilitator of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and high-growth sectors, MDV is proud to be associated with a world-renowned gaming developer such as Codemasters. To be able to finance and be an active contributor in the design of Malaysia’s first-ever locally produced computer game is a privilege and we are glad to be a part of it.”

“We believe that Malaysia has the capability and infrastructure to design state-of-the-art games as well as to nurture local talents, shaping them into world class designers. Codemasters has today paved the way for aspiring designers to step forth and we are certain that it will only be a matter of time before Malaysia’s gaming industry takes off.”

MDV has identified creative content as one of the high growth sectors in Malaysia and hopes to be able to fund many more aspiring entrepreneurs with the aim to put Malaysia in the world map as being a producer of quality creative content.

Maxime Villandre, General Manager of Codemasters Studios Sdn Bhd said, “The establishment of Codemasters Studios in Malaysia is part of Codemasters’ aggressive growth effort and we are thankful to MDV for providing us the support to expand in this region. We are also looking into other new growth opportunities which hopefully will have Malaysia and MDV collaborating with Codemasters toward future venture successes.”

To date, MDV has provided funding totalling RM283 million to 17 companies in the content industry.

Beyond financial accessibility, MDV also provides value-add nurturing services encompassing advisory services in project management, marketing conceptualisation and the adoption of industry best practices to ensure that their clients are competitive and resilient enough for the global platform.

“We want to partner and support our clients at every stage of development. Our philosophy is to ensure that they maintain full ownership of their business while benefiting from the value added services that MDV provides”, added Zubir.

Also present from the UK at the launch were Ralph Fulton, Chief Game Designer for GRID; Gavin Cheshire, Vice President of Codemasters Studios and Simon Parson, Chief Finance Officer of Codemasters Studios.