ID :
164914
Tue, 03/01/2011 - 09:32
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/164914
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MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE MANDATORY STANDARDS FOR ALUMINIUM SHEETS AND FOILS
KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government will introduce mandatory standards for aluminium sheets and foils sometime this year, to ensure products produced in the country, meet standards and safety requirements for both the domestic and international markets.
International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said
the implementation of the mandatory standards is also expected to enhance competitiveness and quality of locally produced aluminium products.
In his opening remarks at the ministry's dialogue with the iron and steel industry here Tuesday, he said the metal industry was severely affected by the economic downturn in 2009 due to the contraction in the construction industry, but fortunately recovered last year.
Overall, he said the metal industry registered a sales value of RM38 billion last year, which was 15.9 per cent higher than sales in 2009 due to the higher demand from the fabricated metal manufacturing and construction sectors.
From 1980 to 2010, 1,373 projects in the metals sub-sector were implemented with a total investment of RM38.9 billion (US$1=RM3.04).
In 2010, Mustapa said employment in the overall metal industry, which includes iron and steel, non-ferrous and fabricated metal, rose by 4.5 per cent to 72,895 workers from 69,730 workers in 2009.
Total exports for the metal industry last year was RM26.9 billion,
an increase of 15.5 per cent compared with 2009.
However, he said exports of iron and steel products decreased by 3.4 per cent to RM8.5 billion last year, attributed to lower demand from the international market as well as increased competition from major producing countries such as China.
The main export items were tubes and pipes valued at RM2.6 billion and billets at RM1.2 billion, with exports mainly to Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.
Non-ferrous metal and fabricated metal products recorded an export value of RM8.4 billion last year, registering an increase of 47.4 per cent compared with RM5.7 billion in 2009.
Major exports were copper valued at RM4.5 billion and aluminium at RM1.9 billion.
According to Mustapa, major export destinations of both non-ferrous and fabricated metal products were Singapore with exports amounting to RM4 billion, Thailand RM1.7 billion, Japan RM1.5 billion and China RM1.3 billion.
He said the trade performance of Malaysia this year is expected to show some improvement, indicating a positive outlook for the rest of the year.
"With the world recovering from the economic crisis, the demand for our products, including metal products, will pick up. It is important for us to be ready, so that our products remain competitive, and are sought after by major importing countries," he explained.
Mustapa also highlighted that the industry should also take advantage of the market access opportunities created by various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) entered into by Malaysia.
In 2010, he said, Malaysia had signed two bilateral FTAs with Chile and India, which will be implemented this year.
International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said
the implementation of the mandatory standards is also expected to enhance competitiveness and quality of locally produced aluminium products.
In his opening remarks at the ministry's dialogue with the iron and steel industry here Tuesday, he said the metal industry was severely affected by the economic downturn in 2009 due to the contraction in the construction industry, but fortunately recovered last year.
Overall, he said the metal industry registered a sales value of RM38 billion last year, which was 15.9 per cent higher than sales in 2009 due to the higher demand from the fabricated metal manufacturing and construction sectors.
From 1980 to 2010, 1,373 projects in the metals sub-sector were implemented with a total investment of RM38.9 billion (US$1=RM3.04).
In 2010, Mustapa said employment in the overall metal industry, which includes iron and steel, non-ferrous and fabricated metal, rose by 4.5 per cent to 72,895 workers from 69,730 workers in 2009.
Total exports for the metal industry last year was RM26.9 billion,
an increase of 15.5 per cent compared with 2009.
However, he said exports of iron and steel products decreased by 3.4 per cent to RM8.5 billion last year, attributed to lower demand from the international market as well as increased competition from major producing countries such as China.
The main export items were tubes and pipes valued at RM2.6 billion and billets at RM1.2 billion, with exports mainly to Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.
Non-ferrous metal and fabricated metal products recorded an export value of RM8.4 billion last year, registering an increase of 47.4 per cent compared with RM5.7 billion in 2009.
Major exports were copper valued at RM4.5 billion and aluminium at RM1.9 billion.
According to Mustapa, major export destinations of both non-ferrous and fabricated metal products were Singapore with exports amounting to RM4 billion, Thailand RM1.7 billion, Japan RM1.5 billion and China RM1.3 billion.
He said the trade performance of Malaysia this year is expected to show some improvement, indicating a positive outlook for the rest of the year.
"With the world recovering from the economic crisis, the demand for our products, including metal products, will pick up. It is important for us to be ready, so that our products remain competitive, and are sought after by major importing countries," he explained.
Mustapa also highlighted that the industry should also take advantage of the market access opportunities created by various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) entered into by Malaysia.
In 2010, he said, Malaysia had signed two bilateral FTAs with Chile and India, which will be implemented this year.
