ID :
35763
Mon, 12/15/2008 - 17:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/35763
The shortlink copeid
MINISTRY TO PROMOTE GROWTH OF NEW INDUSTRIES By Hamdan Ismail
BARAM (Sarawak), Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The International Trade and Industry
Ministry has taken several measures to encourage the growth of new industries to
cushion the impact of the global economy which is expected to worsen next year,
said Deputy Minister Jacob Dungau Sagan.
He said the moves like expediting establishment of new factories and tax
exemptions were among the proactive steps being identified by the ministry to
mitigate the problems following the global economic crisis that started this
year.
"Although the impact of the economic downturn has not been felt throughout
this year in Malaysia, we expect 2009 to be a challenging year, so we have to be
prepared," he told Bernama during his recent visit to the district in this East
Malaysia state of Sarawak.
Sagan said facing the global economic downturn would not be a new
experience for Malaysia which had already weathered similar downturns
before.
"The experiences of dealing with the past economic situations were taken
into account and the government is also open to new ways of tackling the
economic problems," he said.
Sagan, who is also the Baram Member of Parliament, said rural folks like
those in his constituency should not feel that being outside the urban circles,
they were exempted from feeling the impact of the global economic
downturn.
He said the drop in price of commodities such as oil palm and rubber being
experienced now were a sign requiring them to re-strategise their agricultural
activities.
He added that the number of oil palm smallholders in Baram had grown in the
past few years and the price plunge of the commodity was obviously affecting
them.
According to Sagan, the smallholders should not confine themselves to a
single type commodity but also be involved in other agricultural activities that
could generate income.
"During this period of worsening economic situation, it would be best for
the smallholders to diversify their activities, including going into fruit and
food production or even the fish rearing industry. Although the returns may not
be as lucrative, the demand will always be there," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Ministry has taken several measures to encourage the growth of new industries to
cushion the impact of the global economy which is expected to worsen next year,
said Deputy Minister Jacob Dungau Sagan.
He said the moves like expediting establishment of new factories and tax
exemptions were among the proactive steps being identified by the ministry to
mitigate the problems following the global economic crisis that started this
year.
"Although the impact of the economic downturn has not been felt throughout
this year in Malaysia, we expect 2009 to be a challenging year, so we have to be
prepared," he told Bernama during his recent visit to the district in this East
Malaysia state of Sarawak.
Sagan said facing the global economic downturn would not be a new
experience for Malaysia which had already weathered similar downturns
before.
"The experiences of dealing with the past economic situations were taken
into account and the government is also open to new ways of tackling the
economic problems," he said.
Sagan, who is also the Baram Member of Parliament, said rural folks like
those in his constituency should not feel that being outside the urban circles,
they were exempted from feeling the impact of the global economic
downturn.
He said the drop in price of commodities such as oil palm and rubber being
experienced now were a sign requiring them to re-strategise their agricultural
activities.
He added that the number of oil palm smallholders in Baram had grown in the
past few years and the price plunge of the commodity was obviously affecting
them.
According to Sagan, the smallholders should not confine themselves to a
single type commodity but also be involved in other agricultural activities that
could generate income.
"During this period of worsening economic situation, it would be best for
the smallholders to diversify their activities, including going into fruit and
food production or even the fish rearing industry. Although the returns may not
be as lucrative, the demand will always be there," he said.
-- BERNAMA
