1. ArifinLatif Consulting | Juruperundingan ArifinLatif

Founder & Chief Consultant/Economist · Nov 1991 to present ·

Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Federal Malaysian Government Pensioner · Since 10 May 2011 ·

 

• Former Perak State Director of Agriculture, Arifin Abdul Latif is an ANU educated development economist and an ‘economic chartist’ who now spends time writing, teaching and promoting the public interest – as a freelance consultant/economist.

 

• Freelance consultant/economist – internationally and locally – in forecasting economics & stock market trends, technical analysis (charting), econometric modeling, business forecasting; strategic management, mind mapping, project management, operations research; ICT management, internet marketing, e-commerce, website development, social webs & networking; project financing, agro-industrial development, agro-based industries, SME development, agricultural development planning & project formulation; agri-biotechnology, herbs & herbal products development, spa & wellness industry; training management, case studies methodology; desktop publishing, etc.

 

• Championing the Development of Herbs & Honey hub · since May 2009 Champion for Development of SMEs in spa-related services based on herbs - with themes centred on 'Merakyatkan industri herba', Traditional Medicare, 'Herba dalam Kehidupan’. Advisory in Herbal & Wellness Industry for Rural SMEs. Explore potential for exports of local herbal products (e.g. mahkota dewa) to Europe/EU.

 

• Championing e-commerce in agriculture via AgriBazaar · since Apr 2003Champion & Co-developer of AgriBazaar Portal ~ Malaysia's first e-commerce portal for agriculture, agribusiness & agro-based industries. Won various awards, accolades and recognitions – from international bodies/companies (e.g. FAO, BBC, UNIDO, AFITA, WSIS), and locally (MOSTI, MOA, INTAN, UPM, MARDI) – as an innovative way to bridge the IT digital divide by empowering rural farmers and agri-businesses.

 

 International/Global level:  Selected as one of the FOSS pioneering initiative in BBC World TV Documentary, entitled "The Codebreakers”.  Promoting AGRIBAZAAR portal (www.agribazaar.com.my) via online through YouTube clips; TV News; Online Reports; Adverts.  Papers presented at international forums (UNIDO, Geneva; AFITA 2006, Bangkok) & locally (AgrICT 2006, etc.) by Arifin Abdul Latif.  Selected as a Finalist - WSIS Challenge Award 2006 (Economic Development category), Stockholm.

 

 National level:  Jointly developed AGRIBAZAAR portal with jv partner, MIMOS (in a private-public partnership, PPP) ~ an e-commerce application for the agriculture sector & agribusiness (a first of its kind designed using FOSS in Malaysia).  Actively conducted Seminar/Training Roadshows at national level, as well as Showcases at the National Smallholders, Livestock Rearers and Fishermen Day Celebrations (HPPNK), MAHA – since 2003, and various other Related Events  e.g. DOA’s 100 Years Celebrations (2005, Serdang); ‘Seminar on Business Management in the Globalisation Era’ (12 Sep 2003, UiTM Segamat); Dialogue with Selangor’s Chinese Chamber of Commerce.  Interviewed on air – 5 Apr 2004, as an invited guest, on ‘Power Breakfast Show on Cyberjaya TV’ (www.cyberjaya.tv) – hosted by Suhaimi Sulaiman & Tengku Elida.  Launched by Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, 30 June 2004.

 

 State levels:  AgriBazaar portal won 'Special ICT Award Perak 2007'.

 Continuous efforts in line with K-Perak's initiative with practical content development, benefiting and empowering Perak's farming and agribusiness communities.  Actively conducted Seminar/Training Roadshows nationwide, as well as Showcases at the State levels Smallholders, Livestock Rearers and Fishermen Day Celebrations (HPPNK/Agrofest) – since 2003.

 

• Consulting in forecasting economics/stock market trends · since Jan 1991·  Consultation in forecasting economics & stock market trends for the investing public, including analysing/writing articles, websites/blogs and books on the forecasts. Initiate intellectual discourse online through discussion threads – in personal websites (e.g. Arifin’s The EDGE Articles), online portals (e.g. Global Malaysian Network, GMN).

 

• AGRO-INDUSTRIAL EXPERT, UNIDO Regional Office in Lagos, NIGERIA · Nov 2001 Regional Training Workshop on Sustainable Industrial Development for West African Economies (on Strategic Planning & Agro-industries).

 

• PROJECT EXPERT, The State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan (TFEB) · Mar 1998 to Sep 1998. Project Financing and Training for The State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan (TFEB), Department of Expertise & Project Financing.

 

• SENIOR FELLOW/ECONOMIST, CIDA/Agriculture Canada, Vancouver · Dec 1989 to Feb 1991. Malaysian Counterpart, CIDA Project No. 600/ 12419 Agricultural Information System Malaysia-Canada (Farm Level Land Evaluation - Software model development).

 

 

2. Deputy Director, Fruits Section, Horticulture Division, Dept. of Agriculture Malaysia • Putrajaya • Dec 2010 to May 2011  [Pensioner, since 10 May 2011]

 

• Formulating New Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) for Agriculture (Horticulture and Herbs).

 

• Contribute in PEMANDU-led labs drawing up of a blueprint for Economic Transformation Program (ETP), to formulate New Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) for Agriculture (inclusive of Horticulture and Herbs). Planning & fine-tuning entry point projects (EPPs), e.g. for EPP 7 - in the enhancement of fruit production nationwide.

 

3. Perak State Director of Agriculture, Perak State Dept. of Agriculture  • Ipoh, Perak • 14/5/2007 – 30/11/2010

Leading and advising the State Secretary, Perak in agricultural development in the state of Perak.

 

• Development of Production of Wild Honey at Pulau Besar, Banding · May 2010 to Nov 2010

  • Development of National Centre for Production of Tualang Honey at Pulau Besar, Banding, Gerik. Preliminary recce/survey conducted around Pulau Besar (by boat). Promoted and showcase the concept for the development of the Centre during Agrofest Perak 2010.

  • Commissioned a UPM-led Team to conduct a feasibility study for the Centre.

 

• Championing the Development of Herbs & Honey hub · May09 to Nov1 

  • Champion for Development of Herbs & Honey hub for Perak State - with thematic “Merakyatkan industri herba”, Traditional Medicare and “Herba dalam Kehidupan”.

  • Development of herbs/spices cluster at Bkt Gantang, LMS.

  • Development of Herbal Academy at the Perak State Herbal Park, Agri-Biotechnology initiative and Agro-tourism based on herbs. * Officially launched by DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Perak Darul Ridzuan, 16 June 2009. * Promoting Perak State Herbal Park – with thematic “Terokailah Alam Herba”, and as one of 10 icons for Perak (Fascinating Malaysia) at international level. * Main mover in planning for the development of Traditional Medicare".

 

 

​4. Deputy Director, Crops Seed Quality Control Section, Crop Quality Control Division, Dept. of Agriculture Malaysia • Putrajaya • 14/4/2006 – 13/5/2007

 

5. Deputy Director, Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Registration Section, Crop Quality Control Division, Dept. of Agriculture Malaysia • Putrajaya • 1/9/05 – 13/4/06

 

6. Assistant Director, Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Section, Planning Division, Dept. of Agriculture Malaysia  • Wisma Tani, 50632 Kuala Lumpur • 1/10/01 – 30/8/05

 

7. AGRO-INDUSTRIAL EXPERT | International Consultant (UNIDO) • UNIDO Geneva; Attached to UNIDO Regional Office in Lagos, NIGERIA • 19 - 30 Nov 2001

 

8. Senior Project Coordinator, Business Management Unit, Agric Dev Section, Centre for Economic Development & Business Management (EKONOMI), National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) Malaysia, 50480 Kuala Lumpur • 1/12/1998 – 30/9/2001

 

9. PROJECT EXPERT | International Consultant (IDB) • IDB TCO, Jeddah; Attached to The State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan (TFEB), Ashgabat • 16/3 – 15/9/1998

 

10. Project Coordinator, Agric. Development Unit, Centre for Economic Development, INTAN Malaysia, 50480 Kuala Lumpur • 16/11/92 – 30/11/98

 

11. SENIOR FELLOW/ECONOMIST | International Consultant (CIDA) • Attached to Land Resource Research Centre, Agriculture Canada, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1X2, CANADA • Dec 1989 - Feb 1991

 

12. Project Coordinator (Management), Regional Extension Training & Development Centre (RETDC), Dept. of Agric., P.O. Box 104, 86100 Ayer Hitam, Johor • Mar 1986 - Dec 1989; Mar 1991 - Nov 1992

 

13. Agricultural Officer (Planning), Planning & Development Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Wisma Tani, Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, 50632 Kuala Lumpur • July 1985 - Feb 1986

 

14. Agricultural Officer (Supernumerary Post), Post Graduate Studies at ANU, Canberra, AUSTRALIA • ADAB/Colombo Plan Scholar • July 1983 - June 1985

 

​15. Agricultural Officer (Extension), Agricultural Extension Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Wisma Tani, Kuala Lumpur • May 1978 - June 1983

 

16. Attachment Teacher, Tengku Bariah Secondary School, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia • Jan - June 1973