Malaysian trade minister on industry and globalization

development of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) to spearhead the growth of the ICT sector. Special incentives are provided under the MSC Bill of Guarantees for companies, these include:

Pioneer Status with a tax exemption of 100 per cent for 10 years or Investment Tax Allowance of 100 per cent for 5 years;
R&D grants;
duty-free import of multimedia equipment;
intellectual property protection and a comprehensive set of cyberlaws; and
world-class physical and IT infrastructure.

financial infrastructure, consisting of banking systems and non-bank financial intermediaries, including development finance institutions. The SME Bank (Bank Perusahaan Kecil & Sederhana Malaysia Berhad) was established in 2005 to enhance the capacity and capability of small and medium enterprises (SME), through access to financing by SMEs;

adequate legal infrastructure on intellectual property protection, bankruptcy and environmental protection;

availability of broadband infrastructure at competitive costs, allowing for greater use of e-commerce platform and e-business standards, including RosettaNet, a series of e-business standards, which can be used to streamline a company's supply chain by enabling greater collaboration and improved communication between trading partners, domestically and internationally; and

enhanced use of electronic trade facilitation to act as common platforms to provide the necessary connectivity among the trade community, permit issuance agencies, and supply chains to interact; collaborate, and transact electronically.

As a result of this infrastructure, companies are able to lower costs of production through just-in-time production and efficient inventory management. All points of entry for goods are also now being e-enabled -- making declaration and clearance of goods more efficient. Companies are thus now more integrated with global supply chains.

VO: What changes or developments in Malaysian infrastructure currently underway, or yet to take shape, do you believe will further enhance Malaysia's infrastructure in the future and help to improve the competitiveness, or cost of doing business, for MNC supply chains with operations in Malaysia? What are two (2) challenges Malaysia faces as she works to continue to provide MNCs an economically stable business environment that deals judiciously with legal disputes and corporate corruption while also working with other nations focused on doing what is necessary to help keep possibilities for terrorism at bay?

Minister Aziz: Continuous efforts are taken to develop and upgrade Malaysia's infrastructure, including airports; seaports, road and rail networks, industrial parks, specialized parks, telecommunications, electricity and water supply.

In 2006, the government launched the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010) and the Third Industrial Master Plan (2006-2020), to spearhead development and further improve the competitiveness of Malaysia. Total development budget for projects to be implemented during the Ninth Malaysia Plan period amount to US$60 billion.

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