MACROKIOSK expects to be listed on Bursa Malaysia soon

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 - Macro Kiosk Bhd, a mobile data technology enabler, expects to get the green light from the Securities Commission for its listing plan on the Mesdaq market of Bursa Malaysia.

"We submitted our application in August last year and expect to hear from them in one month's time," Macro Kiosk chief executive officer, Kenny Goh told reporters after a media briefing here today.

He added that Macro Kiosk hoped to be listed within the next few months.

For its initial public offering (IPO) on Mesdaq market, the company expects to generate RM19 million which will be used for research and development (R&D) and expansion.

On its expansion plan, the company aimed to be the leader in mobile communication technology enabler in Asia Pacific region.

"We have our presence in five countries in Asia Pacific and expects to expand our operation in other five countries in the region namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea, by the end of next year," he said.

To date, the company operates in five countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand and China.

Goh said since the company started its operation in 2000, Malaysia had significantly contributed to the company's revenue with more than 90 percent.

In its financial year ended Jan 31, 2004, the company recorded a net profit of RM700,000 on the back of RM6 million in revenue.

"Our financial year ended Jan 31, 2005 will be announced soon and the result is expected show better performance and improvement in overseas contribution," he said

For China, Macro Kiosk is set to become the first Malaysian short messaging services (SMS) gateway provider in the country following the signing of two joint venture agreements on Feb 21, 2005.

Goh said China was a fast growing market and has 262 million mobile subscribers with 152 million SMS users in 2003, surpassing other countries such as Hong Kong, Australia and Taiwan.

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), China is exoected to have 361 million mobile subscribers in 2005 with 255 million of them being SMS users.

"With the rise of mobile users in China and their demand for quality content, both joint venture vehicles are ready to rise up to the challenge of helping content providers to bring quality content into China," he said.

The first joint venture was between Macro Kiosk Pte Ltd (MKPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Macro Kiosk Bhd, and Beijing JieChuang Age Tech Co. Ltd (Beijing JC).

Its joint venture vehicle, Macro Kiosk Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd has a registered capital of more than RMB1.2 million (RM1=RMB2), in which MKPL holds 49 percent shares.

The second joint venture between Macro Kiosk Bhd and VogueZone Beijing Tech Co. Ltd (VogueZone), will result in Macro Kiosk holding 49 percent in MacroVogue Beijing Tech Co Ltd (the vehicle) and VogueZone holding the remaining shares.

The MacroVogue Beijing (MV Beijing) has a registered paid-up capital of RMB10 million.

Goh said both MK Beijing and MV Beijing incorporated in China, would be involved in the provision of mobile telecommunications, technology services and mobile data solutions for two major mobile operators in China namely China Mobile and China Unicom, that had already captured more than 327 million mobile subscribers.

Its SMS gateway, etracker, a Malaysian-developed Global Mobile Communication Network, is globally connected to 95 major SMS centres.

Macro Kiosk is one of the first Malaysian companies to obtain a Service Provisioning Licence (SP Licence), which allows them to provide services in many countries.

Macro Kiosk Bhd, a subsidiary of Main Board listed GOLD IS Bhd, has already linked with 364 telecommunication companies in over 115 countries worldwide.