KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed higher on Wednesday, with the key index rising 1.10 per cent, in line with firm gains across regional markets following a strong rally on Wall Street overnight, said an analyst. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan said the improvement in sentiment was underpinned by easing geopolitical concerns and a decline in oil prices. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) increase 18.54 points or 1.10 per cent to 1,708.90 from Tuesday’s close of 1,690.36. The benchmark index opened 25.58 points higher at 1,715.94, marking its intraday high, and hit a low of 1,700.20 during the mid-morning session. The broader market was positive, with gainers leading decliners 780 to 444. A total of 475 counters were unchanged, 926 untraded and 11 suspended.
Sweeping Deregulation to Ease Corporate Burdens
- The European Commission plans to reduce corporate reporting requirements by 25%, potentially saving €40 billion (US$42.06 billion) for businesses.
- The "Simplification Omnibus" package aims to loosen rules on sustainability reporting (CSRD) and supply chain due diligence (CSDDD) to help European companies compete with the U.S. and China.
Key Changes in the Proposal
1. Looser Environmental & Supply Chain Rules
- The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) will now apply only to companies with over 1,000 employees and €450 million in turnover, excluding 85% of previously covered firms.
- This reduces reporting obligations from over 50,000 companies to fewer than 7,000.
- The CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) will now apply only to direct suppliers, easing supply chain transparency requirements.
2. Clean Industrial Deal & Energy Plan
- New incentives for energy-intensive industries and clean tech investments.
- Faster permits for renewables to support EU's net-zero goals without excessive bureaucracy.
- Plan to lower energy costs for businesses and consumers.
Business vs. Environmental Concerns
- France & Germany support the relaxation of green rules, citing concerns over corporate competitiveness.
- Industry lobbies argue that current ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) policies stifle business growth.
- Environmentalists and some EU lawmakers strongly oppose the deregulation, warning it could slow down climate progress and green investments.
What’s Next?
- The proposal must be approved by the European Parliament and a majority of the 27 EU member statesbefore becoming law.
- Final details could change before publication.
Summary:
- EU proposes major cuts in corporate red tape to boost competitiveness.
- Sustainability & supply chain reporting will be significantly eased, exempting thousands of companies.
- New industrial and energy plans aim to lower costs while maintaining net-zero goals.
- Environmentalists and some lawmakers oppose the move, warning of reduced climate ambition.
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