PM: M'SIA READY TO FACE ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is in a state of readiness to
face the global economic slowdown and will strive to avert protracted
unemployment, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said here Wednesday.

"Our experiences of past crises have put us in good stead and we are
prepared to act in a collective and coordinated fashion to minimise the impact
of the global economic downturn," he said at the launching of the 2008 annual
report of PEMUDAH, the special task force set up to facilitate business.

Also present was Chief Secretary to the Government, Mohd Sidek
Hassan, who is also PEMUDAH chairman.

"It may not be possible to avoid hardships or difficulties entirely but we
will certainly strive to avert protracted unemployment and suffering," he said.

Abdullah said the government was "doing its utmost to ensure that Malaysia
weathers its economic storms."

He said that the second stimulus package or mini-budget to be announced on
March 10 would be a comprehensive one that takes on board feedback from the
business community with major steps to facilitate commerce as well as ensure job
preservation.

In the face of these global economic chalenges, he said it was important
that Malaysia continues its drive to remain competitive.

To this end, he said that PEMUDAH would remain vital and relevant to the
business community and the people of Malaysia in the year ahead.

"During these trying times, we must continue to forge strong links between
the private and public sectors.

"Neither the government nor the business community will be able to achieve a
measure of success without the support and cooperation of others," he said.

He said the second stimulus package or mini-budget to be announced on
March 10 would be a comprehensive one that takes on board feedback from the
business community with major steps to facilitate commerce as well as ensure
ample jobs for the people.

In the face of these global economic chaLlenges, he said it was important
that Malaysia continues its drive to remain competitive.

To this end, he said PEMUDAH would remain vital and relevant to the
business community and the people in the years ahead.

"During these trying times, we must continue to forge strong links between
the private and public sectors.

"Neither the government nor the business community will be able to achieve a
measure of success without the support and cooperation of others," he said.

On PEMUDAH, set up on Feb 7, 2007, he said by the end of the first year,
many initiatives were undertaken by both the task force and its partner agencies
in the public sector to improve Malaysia's business environment from tax
processes, tax administration, land registration and property registration.

Electronic payments have been facilitated and now 89 government agencies
have started accepting online payments for 148 setrvices, said Abdullah.

He said one-stop centres have been set up at the Small and Medium
Industries Development Corporation (SMIDEC) to expedite business registrations.

The Prime Minister said the process of applying for expatriates and skilled
workers for employment at the Immigration Department has been improved.

As a result of PEMUDAH's commitment and the efforts of the civil service,
Malaysia had moved from 24th to 20th spot in the World Bank's Ease of Doing
Business Index 2009.

Malaysia also rose from 23rd to 19th posiiton in the IMD.'s 2008 World
Competitiveness Yearbook.

This progress in the international country rankings has been reflected by
tangible improvements in the business environment.

"These are great achievements and a testimony to real public-private sector
partnership," he said.

He commended PEMUDAH for aiming to pick up an even greater pace, having
placed much more on its plate this year and striving to move Malaysia to be
among the top 10 most competitive economies in two years from now.

Besides pursuing more efficiency improvememts, PEMUDAH would also contribute
ideas in the review of some policies which impact businesses such as fair trade
practices, foreign workers and government procurements, he added.

-- BERNAMA