MALAYSIA TO LOOK AT LIBERALISING MORE SERVICES SECTORS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is looking at
liberalising other services sectors in line with its commitment to Asean but
beyond that it is still under deliberation, Minister of International Trade and
Industry Mustapa Mohamed said Monday.

"I don't want to be too specific. We are looking at it comprehensively at
all sectors and this review is on-going. We will be coming up with some
proposals to the government," he said.

The ministry is looking at it in "great details", Mustapa told a media
briefing in conjunction with the Forbes Global CEO Conference, which kicks off
Monday.

"It is just a beginning and more to come in the coming months," he said,
when asked which sectors were likely to be liberalised to attract more foreign
investments.

Early this year, the government had liberalised 27 services sub-sectors as
well as relaxed some of the foreign investment rules to spur business
activities.

Mustapa said the government had removed red tape and bureaucracy to boost
business activities and stimulate economic growth.

Meanwhile, Mustapa said the ministry had submitted proposals to the Treasury
for consideration in Budget 2010, which would be tabled by Prime Minister Najib
Tun Razak on Oct 23.

"We hope the proposals will be considered by the government in order to spur
more business activities and stimulate economic growth in the country," he said.

Starting Sept 28, some 400 global business and think thank leaders will
converge here to share best practices and winning strategies to address critical
issues of the global economic downturn.

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Najib and his deputy,
Muhyiddin Yassin, will be among the Malaysian speakers at the forum.

-- BERNAMA