PROMOTING MALAYSIAN PRODUCTS WILL RAISE DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Trade expositions promoting Malaysian
products will be a good way to generate more income for domestic products and
services in the current gloomy economic period, says Deputy Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said such promotions will increase the demand for domestic products and
services and this in turn will generate more cash flow in the country.

Citing China's example where the government encourages the people to buy
local products through its 'Patriotic Consumption' programme, he said such a
campaign is aimed at creating a symbiosis or a mutually beneficial relationship
between the producers and consumers of the goods.

Explaining further, he pointed out that if there was no production there
would be no consumption and if consumption ceased, so will production.

Muhyiddin said this in his speech at the launch of the "Buy Malaysian
Products Mega Expo" here Thursday.

The government is therefore confident that trade expositions being held in
the country to promote the buying of Malaysian goods will bring about the same
symbiosis or mutual benefits for producers and consumers, he said.

His speech text was read by Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Minister of
Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism, who also officiated the event which
is being at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

The expo which took off June 24, participated by 206 local companies
taking up 390 booths, will end on June 28.

The event is the highlight of the expositions held around the country since
the launch of the Buy Malaysia Campaign in January.

Muhyiddin said the campaign is part of government efforts to help potential
local industries promote their products.

He said many Malaysians have successfully established their name in the
international area and were proud to introduce their products as Malaysia-made.

"This is the attitude that is needed in each Malaysian citizen. We should be
rid of our prejudices against our product and give them the chance," he added.

-- BERNAMA