The petrochemical and chemical industry is the second largest contributor to our total exports. For the period of January to May 2009, exports of petroleum products amounted to RM997.4 million, while imports reached RM381.6 million. For the chemicals and chemical product sub-sector, imports and exports totaled RM12.7 billion and RM12.3 billion respectively. During the first five months of 2009, total investments in petroleum products (including petrochemicals) totalled RM1.1 billion, while that for chemical and chemical products amounted to RM1.5 billion.

The pharmaceutical industry, which is mostly dominated by SMEs, saw an increasing demand trend in the domestic market. The pharmaceutical industry productivity in 2008 grew by 11.6 per cent, while sales value expanded by 11 per cent to RM1.4 billion in 2008. This increase is due to demand from the domestic market, arising from better health awareness and ageing population.

Manufacturers must continue to expand and upgrade their existing facilities to meet the rising local and overseas demand for generic OTC drugs and food supplement drugs, specialist therapy and medical tourism.