MALAYSIA-JAPAN TRADE TO FACE MINOR HICCUP

KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's trade with Japan is expected to face a minor hiccup in the short-term due to the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last week, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Jacob Dungau Sagan said Tuesday.

He also said although the natural disaster would setback the Japanese economy it would however, have a minor effect on Malaysia's trade.

"Japan's economy is very resilient. We believe it will come back stronger," he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Malaysian Automotive Institute and Universiti Malaysia Pahang here Tuesday.

Jacob said the government would look at ways to minimise the impact and a meeting would be held between International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed and the President of the Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry, Malaysia, Takashi Hibi.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Automotive Association President Aishah
Ahmad said the sector would feel some impact from the temporary distruption as many association members sourced their products from Northern Japan.

However, she said the effect was expected to be only short-term as the association believed Japan would recover quickly.